How safe are fake plants?

[EpicEpic]

These are thoughts I've never had before and have crossed my mind after reading old threads.

In almost all of my enclosures, I use plastic plants. They come in "kits" from Etsy along with the pre drilled AMAC boxes I use along with substrate/moss etc.

I honestly don't know where they come from and I've used them without ever thinking of rinsing them >doh<

Is this something that I should be worried about?

Also some of them have very flimsy pointy edges to them. I'm also wondering if those are safe to use or dangers to terrestrial tarantulas?

My last and final question is that I recently bought an exo terra brand vine for my new GBB that will be here in a week, so I have time to wash that out if need be. Is it safe because its exo terra?

Sorry for the 3 part question. Appreciate the help. "/

 

[Goopyguy56]

I use some for my arboreals. I just make sure they aren't sharp. Not sure if they could cause issues but I figured sharp stuff could be bad

 

[EpicEpic]

I use some for my arboreals. I just make sure they aren't sharp. Not sure if they could cause issues but I figured sharp stuff could be bad

Plastic/Silk or both? Do you bother rinsing/washing them?

 

[Goopyguy56]

I don't do didilly squat with them. Maybe I should but I don't. Never tried silk

 

[Poonjab]

Sharp or pointy would be your biggest concern. Like I’ve seen people put cactus in with their heavy bodied terrestrials. Not a good combination. One fall on a sharp enclosure piece and it’s game over. I’ve seen it. Other than that, fake plants are safe. As long as you’re sure they haven’t been sprayed with some chemical crap for various reasons.

 

[EpicEpic]

Sharp or pointy would be your biggest concern. Like I’ve seen people put cactus in with their heavy bodied terrestrials. Not a good combination. One fall on a sharp enclosure piece and it’s game over. I’ve seen it. Other than that, fake plants are safe. As long as you’re sure they haven’t been sprayed with some chemical crap for various reasons.

Thanks poonjab that makes me feel better!

The only "plants" that are anywhere near sharp are the ones that come to a point and that point honestly feels like a bristle on a toothbrush. Do you think I should remove them or stack them up in a way the T can't fall directly on it? As I just picked the leaves off the plant as I like the way that looks.

But nothing close to a cactus

Wouldn't the edges on a piece of cork bark be an even bigger threat?

 

[Dorifto]

If they don't stink to plastic, imo are safe.

They need also less watering etc... Hahahaha don't be like the califormian woman watering her plastic plant for two years until she discovered that was a fake plant hshahahaha

 

[Vanisher]

These are thoughts I've never had before and have crossed my mind after reading old threads.

In almost all of my enclosures, I use plastic plants. They come in "kits" from Etsy along with the pre drilled AMAC boxes I use along with substrate/moss etc.

I honestly don't know where they come from and I've used them without ever thinking of rinsing them >doh<

Is this something that I should be worried about?

Also some of them have very flimsy pointy edges to them. I'm also wondering if those are safe to use or dangers to terrestrial tarantulas?

My last and final question is that I recently bought an exo terra brand vine for my new GBB that will be here in a week, so I have time to wash that out if need be. Is it safe because its exo terra?

Sorry for the 3 part question. Appreciate the help. "/

I dont think any plastic plants are more dangerous than using plastic enclosures. If the plants have not been in contact with any chemicals they are safe to use. Though its impossible to know if they have been in contact with chemicals, but i am sure they havenot?

 

[Poonjab]

Thanks poonjab that makes me feel better!

The only "plants" that are anywhere near sharp are the ones that come to a point and that point honestly feels like a bristle on a toothbrush. Do you think I should remove them or stack them up in a way the T can't fall directly on it? As I just picked the leaves off the plant as I like the way that looks.

But nothing close to a cactus

Wouldn't the edges on a piece of cork bark be an even bigger threat?

I think you’re good to go. I know you proceed on the side of caution, so I’m sure your setups are T friendly/safe. I’ve used fake plants I’ve bought cheap from craft stores. Just rinse and good to go. Also... if you your T’s are set up with the proper sub to lid ratios (which I know your are) then getting caught on a sharp edge of cork bark from a fall is pretty unlikely.

 

[EpicEpic]

I dont think any plastic plants are more dangerous than using plastic enclosures. If the plants have not been in contact with any chemicals they are safe to use. Though its impossible to know if they have been in contact with chemicals, but i am sure they havenot?

The person I get the kits from got back to me and said he gets the plants from various places but does wash them and since covid even UV treats them. So I guess thats a good thing.

As far as sharp plants, like I said the sharpest points would be like a toothbrush bristle.

Everything sound OK? OR should I go about making some changes?

Sorry guys my anxiety and bi polar disorder has really gotten the best of me lately as I moved a week before covid hit and no Dr.'s are seeing new patients and.....its just a mess.

I just want to do right by all my 8 legged friends

Thanks for input!

I think you’re good to go. I know you proceed on the side of caution, so I’m sure your setups are T friendly/safe. I’ve used fake plants I’ve bought cheap from craft stores. Just rinse and good to go. Also... if you your T’s are set up with the proper sub to lid ratios (which I know your are) then getting caught on a sharp edge of cork bark from a fall is pretty unlikely.

Funny you said that because there's 1 beautiful piece of carved cork that has some edges in my A. genic tank but I have it up on a hill no more then 1 inch from ceiling.

And I DO try to proceed with but honestly, you can research forever and never read SOME things, or think of something no matter how much of a worry wart you are!

 

[Two short legs]

These are thoughts I've never had before and have crossed my mind after reading old threads.

In almost all of my enclosures, I use plastic plants. They come in "kits" from Etsy along with the pre drilled AMAC boxes I use along with substrate/moss etc.

I honestly don't know where they come from and I've used them without ever thinking of rinsing them >doh<

Is this something that I should be worried about?

Also some of them have very flimsy pointy edges to them. I'm also wondering if those are safe to use or dangers to terrestrial tarantulas?

My last and final question is that I recently bought an exo terra brand vine for my new GBB that will be here in a week, so I have time to wash that out if need be. Is it safe because its exo terra?

Sorry for the 3 part question. Appreciate the help. "/

I used plastic in my fish tanks,did not get them from the usual!the plants look real,but some plastic plants have metal in them.and you may get rust.

 

[Poonjab]

The person I get the kits from got back to me and said he gets the plants from various places but does wash them and since covid even UV treats them. So I guess thats a good thing.

As far as sharp plants, like I said the sharpest points would be like a toothbrush bristle.

Everything sound OK? OR should I go about making some changes?

Sorry guys my anxiety and bi polar disorder has really gotten the best of me lately as I moved a week before covid hit and no Dr.'s are seeing new patients and.....its just a mess.

I just want to do right by all my 8 legged friends

Thanks for input!

I personally think you’re good to go. Set up enclosure and sit back and enjoy your T’s

 

[EpicEpic]

I dont think any plastic plants are more dangerous than using plastic enclosures. If the plants have not been in contact with any chemicals they are safe to use. Though its impossible to know if they have been in contact with chemicals, but i am sure they havenot?

That is a good point. No reason to believe amac or KK plastic is any safer then plastic plants!

I personally think you’re good to go. Set up enclosure and sit back and enjoy your T’s

Thank you poonjab! And thank you for taking notice that I am dilligent---to a fault. This stuff drives me CRAZY. Sometimes I wonder if it's worth it, ya know?

This is a great thing but just so you understand how safe I try to be!.....I was a pack a day smoker for 14 years. The moment I got spiders again...I quit. I already wasn't smoking inside the home...but didnt want the smell on my clothes or hair to stuff up the spider room!....Haven't touched a cig in a month!!!

I won't even chew my nicotine gum in there!! Lol!!!

 

[chanda]

Fake plants - both plastic and silk - that are sold through pet stores or pet supply companies and are intended to be used in aquariums or invert or reptile enclosures should be safe (assuming they do their part of sourcing their inventory responsibly).

The cheap craft store stuff might be fine too - I'd just look at it on a case-by-case basis. Does it have any strong odors? If so, do the odors persist after washing it and letting it air out for a few days? Is there any paint, glitter, or other coating that may wash or flake off? Do the dyes bleed or run when it gets wet? Are there any exposed wires or other sharp, pointy bits? If the answer to any of these questions is "yes," don't use it.

 

[EpicEpic]

Fake plants - both plastic and silk - that are sold through pet stores or pet supply companies and are intended to be used in aquariums or invert or reptile enclosures should be safe (assuming they do their part of sourcing their inventory responsibly).

The cheap craft store stuff might be fine too - I'd just look at it on a case-by-case basis. Does it have any strong odors? If so, do the odors persist after washing it and letting it air out for a few days? Is there any paint, glitter, or other coating that may wash or flake off? Do the dyes bleed or run when it gets wet? Are there any exposed wires or other sharp, pointy bits? If the answer to any of these questions is "yes," don't use it.

I think this was very well put--thanks for chiming in.

I'm glad I asked not only for my own peace of mind but for that of others who may use the search bar in the future!

 

[Coradams]

I try to have a fake plant in each enclosure as I have two ts that wold rather sit under a leaf than in their hides. Before I buy a silk plant, I bounce the palm of my hand on the top of it to see if the wire stem would bend rather than impale if my t were to fall on it. It gets me some strange looks at the craft store but I just smile and say, "It's for my tarantula." It doesn't seem to explain much as people usually just move away from me but that is ok. I have learned that no one wants to mess with the crazy lady. lol

 

[CJJon]

I'd never use craft store fake plants. Most have some sort of scent added to them (IME). You know, that gad awful smell when you hit up a Michael's?

 

[Coradams]

Don't have a Michaels in our area. I have asthma so I couldn't ever get anything with an odor. Never get anything scented.

 

[CommanderBacon]

I use fake plastic plants that have no or minimal paint on them. For some reason I mistrust silk plants, mostly because they can hold moisture and I don't like the idea of bacteria or mold building up in the fibers, but that might be overly cautious for arid species. I also don't like the look of them.

I trim off any pointy bits, wash them with Dawn dish detergent and hot water to make sure there aren't any insecticides from storage or mold release agents left on it, and hot glue them to a anchor points in the enclosure, like the hide or something.

 

[CJJon]

Don't have a Michaels in our area. I have asthma so I couldn't ever get anything with an odor. Never get anything scented.

Stay away from Michael's then! I lost my sense of smell but I can taste the air inside of Michael's.