Homemade hides

[zonbonzovi]

whatever you do make sure it's not a species that carries a natural insecticide(avoid tropicals & some species of walnut). i've found hides aplenty in exposed hardwood treestands- the harsh conditions make for more curvature in the wood, thus "rooms" for critters.

 

[J.huff23]

Im going to go out again tomorrow and try to find some curved pieces for hides.

 

[El Viejo]

When I trim the oak trees in our yard, I keep the larger branches to use in BBQ'ing and smoking hams, sausage & bacon. Before using it I let it dry out real well. Over time the bark will separate from the wood. I gather up a few of these, clean them up, cut them to size, and that's what I use.

 

[rustym3talh3ad]

one way i disinfect is take ur bath tub and fill it with luke warm water, barely hot to the touch, put a 1/8th cup of bleach per gallon so like one cup to fill ur whole tub (and i know most think bleach is bad but its one of the few cleaners that TOTALLY breaks down in hot water)...soak the wood for 10 to 15 mins (tie heavy stuff to it to make it submerge)...then drain the tub and turn ur shower on REALLY hot for about 15 mins or so running it over the wood...and then stand it up in the shower over night to let it A: dry and B: dissipate any remnants of bleach residue...by morning its nice and clean and so is ur tub.

 

[zonbonzovi]

tubs and such

i love the tub idea. anytime you can take care of a chore unconsciously, it's a bonus.

 

[somethingbig]

When I trim the oak trees in our yard, I keep the larger branches to use in BBQ'ing and smoking hams, sausage & bacon. Before using it I let it dry out real well. Over time the bark will separate from the wood. I gather up a few of these, clean them up, cut them to size, and that's what I use.

that meat sure sounds good! :drool: i wouldn't mind mind some home cooked ham, sausage, or bacon if you wanna send some to east tx!!

we have log stacks of oak back home, so i know what you're talking about, and using that bark seems like a really good idea! i'll have to pick some cheap oak hides up next time i go see the parents!!

 

[gambite]

I second what Ethan said about PVC pipe fittings. I spent a few minutes in my hardware store and for less than $5 got four hides of various sizes and two nice sized water bowls. Of course, they do not look anywhere near natural, but they are cheap. I am hoping to find an appropriately shaped end-piece that I can spray paint green so it looks like a Mario-style pipe.

 

[J.huff23]

Im probably just going to wait untill the next Mars PA reptile expo. They always have a variety of hides for dirt cheap.

Or I will just get some pieces of wood and make my own.

 

[the nature boy]

I guesse its into the wood I go. Im going to get some pieces of wood that would make a good hide.

How do you disinfect it? I tried boiling in hot water once and it got soggy.

I scrub it down good then either nuke it in the micro or bake it in the oven to try to eliminate mold or any critters.

--the nature boy

 

[J.huff23]

I scrub it down good then either nuke it in the micro or bake it in the oven to try to eliminate mold or any critters.

--the nature boy

Ok. Cool. Thanks NB.

 

[Effexion]

This thread is just what I needed. Got an A.geniculata arriving soon and the mrs had to go out so I'm waiting on postie. Luckily, I back on to UK woodland so will go and find something when it arrives .

 

[Natasha1992]

This thread is just what I needed. Got an A.geniculata arriving soon and the mrs had to go out so I'm waiting on postie. Luckily, I back on to UK woodland so will go and find something when it arrives .

I made my Hamorii some with some roots:

 

[cold blood]

This thread is just what I needed. Got an A.geniculata arriving soon and the mrs had to go out so I'm waiting on postie. Luckily, I back on to UK woodland so will go and find something when it arrives .

look for a newer threa...lots of bad advice in this one for sure.

I made my Hamorii some with some roots:

when it turns white with mold, dont panic, just let it run its course.

 

[Natasha1992]

when it turns white with mold, dont panic, just let it run its course.

Why will it go white?

 

[Mojo288]

Why will it go white?

white with mold

^^^^ That's why.

 

[Natasha1992]

^^^^ That's why.

Yeah but why will it go mouldy?

 

[Mojo288]

Mold spores exist on pretty much everything.
They require moisture and organic media to grow on and consume.
Your organic material is the wood, the moisture is present in the substrate.

Pretty simple Organic material+moisture=Mold

Add some spring tails to clean it up for moist enclosures, but for a B. hamorii the substrate does not need to be moist so as the enclosure dries, the mold will die off (go dormant? not sure which is the technically correct term).
Which is why CB mentioned not to panic and let it run it's course.

 

[Natasha1992]

Mold spores exist on pretty much everything.
They require moisture and organic media to grow on and consume.
Your organic material is the wood, the moisture is present in the substrate.

Pretty simple Organic material+moisture=Mold

Add some spring tails to clean it up for moist enclosures, but for a B. hamorii the substrate does not need to be moist so as the enclosure dries, the mold will die off (go dormant? not sure which is the technically correct term).
Which is why CB mentioned not to panic and let it run it's course.

Thank You, I was so confused!! I really appreciate you explaining it, I would have panicked massively!