Leaf Litter from Outside?

[Ben Do]

I'm finally going to introduce springtails to a few of my T and scorpion enclosures as well as purchase some millipedes. Since the millipedes and springtails both eat decaying leaves, I was wondering if it was safe to use (almost) any decaying leaves that I see outside my home as leaf litter. I'm not sure of what types of trees are in my area, but I always step and crunch on the dead leaves anyways... can't I just take them, boil them a bit of water and add them to my terrariums? Would it be safe for the T's and scorpions?

It just seems a bit odd to buy a bag of leaves online for $20 when I see them everywhere.

 

[KaroKoenig]

Oak, beech, birch, maple are all good to take. I collect a small bucket full of freshly fallen leaves in autumn. I don't even boil them. I just rinse them, then dry them in the oven for a bit.

 

[Dorifto]

Take some leafs, rinse then with a lot of water and freeze them to kill any kind of parasites. Don't buy leaf bags, they are almost a scam .

 

[moricollins]

Take some leafs, rinse then with a lot of water and freeze them to kill any kind of parasites. Don't buy leaf bags, they are almost a scam .

Oak, beech, birch, maple are all good to take. I collect a small bucket full of freshly fallen leaves in autumn. I don't even boil them. I just rinse them, then dry them in the oven for a bit.

I always, always, boil my leaves that I just for my terrariums. I don't want unwanted critters to hitchhike their way into my terrariums.

 

[viper69]

It just seems a bit odd to buy a bag of leaves online for $20 when I see them everywhere.

BINGO!

 

[Coradams]

For those that collect their own leaves - I am wondering are there any specific kinds of leaves that should be avoided?

 

[Dorifto]

Cedar or pine leafs, they can be toxic.

I like oak leafs for example, easy to find, clean and dry. Also they hold on very well in the enclosure.

 

[moricollins]

Avoid pine, cedar , black walnut.

I usually go with oak, maple, and magnolia leaves

 

[Coradams]

Avoid cedar and pine - check. I assume that includes dawn redwoods. I admit black walnut was a surprise. What about birch?

 

[moricollins]

Avoid cedar and pine - check. I assume that includes dawn redwoods. I admit black walnut was a surprise. What about birch?

Birch is fine to the best of my knowledge.

Black walnuts are toxic to Isopods, so I would avoid the leaves as well, personally.

 

[viper69]

Avoid cedar and pine - check. I assume that includes dawn redwoods. I admit black walnut was a surprise. What about birch?

Most people don't suggest redwoods either due to their cedar relationship.

 

[CJJon]

What do pine and cedar leaves look like?

 

[Dorifto]

What do pine and cedar leaves look like?

Shut up

 

[moricollins]

What do pine and cedar leaves look like?

Pine "needles" are actually pine leaves

 

[CJJon]

Pine "needles" are actually pine leaves

"Hey everyone, look at this big pile of pine leaves!" - Said no one ever.

 

[moricollins]

"Hey everyone, look at this big pile of pine leaves!" - Said no one ever.

Just because everyone's wrong doesn't make it right...

 

[Dorifto]

Why it's called pineaple if it grows on the ground... It would have to be pinepotato

 

[CJJon]

But potatoes grow under the ground. So. Pinezhuccini?

 

[Dorifto]

But potatoes grow under the ground. So. Pinezhuccini?

Shut up!! Don't destroy my dreams