All About Arthropods Posted March 1, 2016 Share Posted March 1, 2016 Hi Everyone, I recently colleced some dead oak leaves and I wanted to know how long I have to microwave them to kill any pests or fungus? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hisserdude Posted March 1, 2016 Share Posted March 1, 2016 Hi Everyone, I recently colleced some dead oak leaves and I wanted to know how long I have to microwave them to kill any pests or fungus? Thanks! I do it for three minutes, check on it, then pop it back in for two more minutes. Keep in mind the leaves should be moist to lower the risk of a fire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
All About Arthropods Posted March 1, 2016 Author Share Posted March 1, 2016 I do it for three minutes, check on it, then pop it back in for two more minutes. Keep in mind the leaves should be moist to lower the risk of a fire. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
All About Arthropods Posted March 4, 2016 Author Share Posted March 4, 2016 How does everyone sterilize their bark? I have a piece that I collected and wanted to know how to sterilize it before I put it in any tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hisserdude Posted March 4, 2016 Share Posted March 4, 2016 How does everyone sterilize their bark? I have a piece that I collected and wanted to know how to sterilize it before I put it in any tank. I sterilize it the same way I sterilize my leaves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
All About Arthropods Posted March 4, 2016 Author Share Posted March 4, 2016 For the same amount of time? I sterilize it the same way I sterilize my leaves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hisserdude Posted March 4, 2016 Share Posted March 4, 2016 For the same amount of time? I do it for about the same time, just be really careful, I once turned bark into charcoal in the microwave... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
All About Arthropods Posted April 13, 2016 Author Share Posted April 13, 2016 Would it be the same amount of time, for moist, soft, decaying wood? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hisserdude Posted April 13, 2016 Share Posted April 13, 2016 Would it be the same amount of time, for moist, soft, decaying wood? Yup, it's the same for anything, you really want to make sure all the pests are dead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
All About Arthropods Posted April 13, 2016 Author Share Posted April 13, 2016 Thanks for the info! Now my A.vulgare have a very nice substrate with plenty of sterilized decaying wood, and dead leaves mixed in the coconut fiber, with some more dead leaves and decaying wood on the surface of the substrate for good measure. Hope they breed for me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrCrackerpants Posted April 13, 2016 Share Posted April 13, 2016 I throw everything in a black garbage back and place it in the summer sun for a month. I have never had an issue. I just plan ahead a little bit. Boiling, cooking or microwaving leaves and wood is something that I hate. I have 10-20 bags in the backyard always "cooking". I also do this with soil substrate that has been "infected" with other living arthropods that I do not want in my enclosures. I hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
All About Arthropods Posted April 13, 2016 Author Share Posted April 13, 2016 I throw everything in a black garbage back and place it in the summer sun for a month. I have never had an issue. I just plan ahead a little bit. Boiling, cooking or microwaving leaves and wood is something that I hate. I have 10-20 bags in the backyard always "cooking". I also do this with soil substrate that has been "infected" with other living arthropods that I do not want in my enclosures. I hope this helps. Thanks for the advice, might try that one of these times! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrCrackerpants Posted April 14, 2016 Share Posted April 14, 2016 Thanks for the advice, might try that one of these times! No problem... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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