Driftwood

There are numerous ways to accessorize your reptile cage. This article relates to driftwood and the proper cleaning of the wood you find in the forest, by lakes or by the sea. All driftwood you find will need to be cleaned before you put it in your enclosure. There are two different ways of achieving this; baking or soaking in a water and bleach solution.

The most effective way is baking, but this is also the most difficult way due to the size of the driftwood you will probably want in a large enclosure. Most ovens are not big enough. For small pieces though I recommend baking due to the fact that the risk of any insects surviving 350 degrees for 2 hours or so is slim to none. This is especially important for insect eaters such as Bearded Dragons. Eating wild insects will surely lead to an unhealthy “beardie”. You must be careful when baking your wood; do not leave the house and check it often. If there are leaves or other small twigs that fall off your piece of driftwood you run the risk of fire.

The other and most used method is the water and bleach solution soaking trick. This is a time consuming but very effective method to clean your wood. Fill your bath tub up with warm water while mixing in a gallon of bleach. Allow your wood to soak for about 4 hours making sure that you turn the wood over ensuring that all sides of the wood has had ample time to soak. Rinse thoroughly and allow to dry in the sun until completely dry. If you see any remaining insect repeat the first step by placing back in the water and bleach solution. If not repeat the rinse and dry step until you can put your nose to the wood and no longer smell the bleach.

Now you are ready!!! Put the wood I your cage and watch your Snake/Lizard begin to enjoy their enclosure and life even more.

There are numerous locations you can find driftwood and it is also a fun day trip for the family. However if you don’t want to go through the trouble I have many pieces large and small I can sell you. Contact me and let me know what you are looking for and I probably have it or can get it at a fraction of the cost you will find it on EBay or other similar websites.