LATEX branches / vines?

[trickedoutbiker]

Anyone ever used a vine or branch that was made out of latex? Real wood soaks in water, thus causing mold over longer periods of time. I'ma bout to upgrade to a larger cage and am trying to figure out where I'ma get all my branches and such. As of now, all of the perches and branches in my current cage are all fake vines, varying in size. I planned to have some fake vines in my new cage that I'm about to get as well. The thing I can't figure out is the branches. Lots of people have some really neat looking driftwood branches on here, but those are super pricey online so I'm looking to go another route. I've heard of lots of people getting branches out of a yard and baking them to kill germs.... But still being real wood, natural branches will soak in water and eventually mold. I would be deep cleaning the cage really good, once a month, with daily spot cleanings.

But I was looking into getting some fake branches to help reduce the risk of mold. Found this online and it looks pretty nice as far as climbing space for the money.

https://www.gandgwebstore.com/40-manzanita-tree-branch-brown.html

At 38" long, it's a pretty good buy when you compare it to other branches on the market that are shorter and more expensive. The only thing, is that it is made out of latex. Rubber. So, with that being said, it would not absorb water....Which is good. That's the point. But would it be safe to use in a chameleon cage? Does latex deteriorate over time in a humid environment?

Let me know please if you can.

 

[Carlton]

Just like any material that isn't treated with mold preventatives (that are toxic) it could eventually start to support mold, just because there will be water and organic matter building up on the surface over time (bits of shed, fecal and urate matter, flecks off plants, plus the organics in your water). You will still have to clean it periodically no matter what you use. I don't know about problems with latex itself, except to be aware that it might need to be left in open air for a while in case the material outgasses.

 

[trickedoutbiker]

Just like any material that isn't treated with mold preventatives (that are toxic) it could eventually start to support mold, just because there will be water and organic matter building up on the surface over time (bits of shed, fecal and urate matter, flecks off plants, plus the organics in your water). You will still have to clean it periodically no matter what you use.

I would definitely still clean it periodically. I was just thinking more along the lines of: will it do better with PREVENTING mold than a real piece of wood which would definitely be soaking up water....

I will probably just go out and get some different branches off a few different trees and bake em and use those instead of paying almost $30 for a fake branch.

 

[Carlton]

I would definitely still clean it periodically. I was just thinking more along the lines of: will it do better with PREVENTING mold than a real piece of wood which would definitely be soaking up water....

I will probably just go out and get some different branches off a few different trees and bake em and use those instead of paying almost $30 for a fake branch.

If you cut live wood, let the branch dry until any sap has stopped oozing. Some saps are irritants.

 

[kiwilulu]

The store does have some good prices. I am thinking of a free range area... hummm...let me think about it

 

[JLP474]

If you cut live wood, let the branch dry until any sap has stopped oozing. Some saps are irritants.

I just went into the woods and cut some live healthy looking saplings down. Figured I'd get them now while it was still technically winter and the bugs are underground. My question is, is there anything I should do to pre treat the wood before putting in in the cage or just let it naturally dry out?

 

[trickedoutbiker]

good question...... nice branches u got there by the way... I wish I had a woods behind my house...

 

[Carlton]

I just went into the woods and cut some live healthy looking saplings down. Figured I'd get them now while it was still technically winter and the bugs are underground. My question is, is there anything I should do to pre treat the wood before putting in in the cage or just let it naturally dry out?

First I would trim off the little fragile twigs most likely to get broken if your cham climbs on them. Trim it to fit your setup space. Then once you have the actual branch structure you want, give it a scrub with a hot water bleach solution (10 parts water to 1 part bleach), rinse well, and let dry.

 

[mvad]

Water and bleach mixture, rinse, let dry then install. They don't need to be seasoned if that's what your asking. Some people bake the branches. I did not. My limbs were too big for the oven and I think baking the limbs is a bit overkill.

 

[gotwqqd]

doesn't matter that you cut them before "spring"
insects are in a stasis inside the branches
bake them to kill any larvae or pupae

 

[kiwilulu]

Bleach is for the superficial stuff including fungi. Baking is for the larvae inside.
You decide if you are a belt-and-suspenders, a belt, a suspenders, or a comando kind of guy.

 

[JLP474]

Ok cool, I def can't fit the larger pieces in my oven, got one piece mocked up pretty good...the rest will have to wait for another day...

 

[Carlton]

Bleach is for the superficial stuff including fungi. Baking is for the larvae inside.
You decide if you are a belt-and-suspenders, a belt, a suspenders, or a comando kind of guy.

Yes...though I have to say, if you select obviously healthy young branches without obvious signs of insect boring or damage the chance you'll end up with emerging insects indoors is pretty low. In all the years of doing this for chams and my indoor bird aviary I've never detected any.

 

[gotwqqd]

Get super hard dense wood.... Oily types
Minimal it'd any water absorbed

 

[JLP474]

Yes...though I have to say, if you select obviously healthy young branches without obvious signs of insect boring or damage the chance you'll end up with emerging insects indoors is pretty low. In all the years of doing this for chams and my indoor bird aviary I've never detected any.

Thats exactly my thoughts as well...Purposely picked out fresh saplings with no signs of any holes, rotting spots, etc.

 

[JLP474]

Anyone lookin for vines, found some on sale, free shipping $29 or more.

http://www.valuepetsupplies.com/exo-terra-jungle-vine-large.html