Question: Collecting decor from outside

[shinnick13]

Just wondering if it's safe to collect items for decor from outside. Such as bark, logs, rocks, plants. And if so, how do I clean it to make it safe?

Harmony

 

[elchicano]

I'm about to do this myself, I'm mainly sticking to rocks and stones. For stones i usually wash them with water. But this has been with fish set ups, so I too would be interested to hear what should be done.

 

[ferret_corner]

i do this too.

typically i boil small rocks, especially those with craggy holes or deep clefts.

small sticks & branches get submerged in a bucket of water then baked in the oven for a bit.

when i used large logs for reptiles I soaked them in my pond then hung it over a fire or hot coals or smoked it. I never decided which I liked best and i got out of reptiles before trying them again.