Using leaves from outside?

Red Eft14

Red Eft14

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I heard that people take leaves from outside and put it in there newts tank.I want to know how to make the leaves safe for my newts.And I don't plan on putting the leaves in water since the water will turn brown.Just going to put it in when my newts are in the terrestrial stage.Thanks.
 
A lot of people do this. I do this. I just grab up dry ones and put them in the tank. If there are no pesticides being used in the area and they look OK, that's my criteria. Maybe others have other criteria and can add.
 
I freeze leaves for 48 hours prior to use, but that´s the only meassure i take.
 
You could dip them into some boiling salt water for about 20 seconds then rinse and dry.
 
Ok thanks for the help.But I rather treat them because my trees in front of my house are sparyed every spring/summer.
 
Honestly, I wouldn't risk using leaves that are sprayed with chemicals, even if you treat them. Amphibians are extremely sensitive to chemicals, especially pesticides and herbicides. It is best to go find some leaves somewhere that chemicals haven't been used.
 
You won't be able to wash off the chemicals. Go collect them from the woods or local park were they do not spray.
 
Yeah I live no wear near the woods but I'll buy some leaves at the reptile expo when I go(since they got leaf litter for posien dart frogs).Thanks for the help though.
 
I use willow leaves from tall willow bushes around my house. The species are Salix lanata, Salix pulchra and Salix glauca. I collect them in winter when they are dry and frozen. I use them in all my terrestrial setups for newts, earthworms, isopods, and white worms. They do really well and the substrates stay healthy, alive and a-crawl with small critters for a long long time...
 
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