NEVER use pine in the enclosure of any animal. It is an aromatic wood that is toxic to most species. The same is true for cedar. Cypress (better for humid tanks) and aspen (better for dry tanks) bedding are both safe to use with invertebrates as well as vertebrates.I have done it with my P. cambridgei and P. miranda, and both are doing fine. I found a dead pine tree and carefully pulled off some intact tubes of bark, and it works perfectly. They seem to love it!
I am curious to find out how sterilization is detrimental. Can you explain this a little further?I do it all the time and IMHO any sort of sterilization is detrimental, just put it right in.
Bill
Because in life there are good bacteria and bad bacteria. When you sterilize you kill off everything, and that usually leaves a lot of valuabe real estate for new, badder, bacteria. Its actually something that is only being seriously studied for the past few years... early 2000's that Im aware of. But sterilization isnt bad, its over sterilization.... But I guess most people see over use as normal nowadays... Not sure how any of this is useful in the world of bugs though.... Consilience.I am curious to find out how sterilization is detrimental. Can you explain this a little further?
I know a couple of people who use "whatever" wood, pine included, with no problems. Cedar has natural insecticidal oils that come from the bark, and this will kill your T. Thankfully you cannot bleach this stuff. Thats how I learned my lessonAviara the op said he was using pine bark which is fine you just want to use the actual wood.
What types of elevated risk are you referring to?Nevertheless, if you feel comfortable with the elevated risk of bringing in wood gathered from outside, then that is your choice.
Sorry... what?Microwaving sounds kind of dangerous, like the wood might explode...