Moldy Cork Bark

[8SEXYLEGS]

How do I get mold off of cork bark? The back of my GBB's has some, and I have no idea how it got there (I keep my GBB dry-don't mist it or anything) but there is some greenish mold looking stuff. It's not a whole lot.
Another thing is, my GBB has made a lot of webs and I would hate to tear it's home apart to get rid of the mold, but if that's the best cousre od action, then I guess I'll have to do it.

 

[brachymad]

If I were you I would Take it out ,Give it a scrub With fresh water .then microwave it for a couple of mins. the steam produced will kill anything on it . Let it cool then put it back. The mould may be growing on somthing like cricket remains or even just a bit of cricket juice.
Its a shame to brake its home up but it will soon reweb it

 

[Bean]

some greenish mold looking stuff.

Are you sure it's mold? Was it there when you aquired the cork bark, or did it recently appear? I have a piece of cork bark that has a lichen-like growth on it, but it hasn't grown or changed at all over a year or so.

 

[8SEXYLEGS]

Well, I just now noticed it. It's on the back side, so I don't normally see it that ofter, but I keep my KK of crickets right next to it, and I was putting my crickets up when I noticed it. I'm pretty sure it's new, and it does look like mold. Even if it's not, it's better to be safe I think than sorry. My hubby wantted to clean it with bleach, but I thought that was a bad idea.(could harm my T)

 

[xanadu1015]

You could try scrubbing it with hot soapy water, rinse it really well in hot water, then bake it in the oven. You can do this instead of using bleach. I have heard this being recommended to others.


Laura

 

[Cory Loomis]

Some people microwave anything, and some people's microwaves explode when they microwave the wrong stuff. I wouldn't do it. Also, avoid soaps and bleach. Residues can have bad effects. If you want to get the mold off the slab, use high temperatures to kill the mold and spores on the cork. Get high temperatures by boiling the cork slab for a few minutes in a big pot. (I often refer to them as soup pots or spaghetti pots.) Don't worry about submerging the slab. (Tie it to a brick?) Just flip it a couple of times. Now all bets are off as to recurrence if you put it back with the same substrate.

 

[8SEXYLEGS]

So if I boil it, how do I get it to dry? Do I just let the air dry it for a while, like overnight?

 

[Cory Loomis]

As long as it has cooled, it doesn't have to be dry. The surface will dry quickly, and the interior of the cork won't really get wet.

 

[xanadu1015]

Boiling it is a great idea.



Laura

 

[nowhereman]

Boiling it is a great idea.



Laura

If you boil or microwave cork it's going to swell up. Keep an eye on it.

 

[becca81]

How about just getting a new piece of cork bark?

 

[CIRE]

So if I boil it, how do I get it to dry? Do I just let the air dry it for a while, like overnight?

You can boil it, then put it in your oven for a bit to dry off...at like 200 degrees or something...nothing too high

 

[DE3]

I autoclave all of my cork bark before it goes into the cage. But then again, not everybody has access to an autoclave.

'3

 

[chique]

How about just getting a new piece of cork bark?

Exactly what I was gonna say. You avoid any chance of re-growth, don't have to faff around cooking wood and I'm sure cork bark as cheap for you as it is over here!

All I do when I clean out tanks and it's decor is scrub like I've never scrubbed before in REALLY hot water and leave to dry on a radiator, never had a problem (well I've jinxed myself now, ho hum).

 

[CIRE]

Exactly what I was gonna say. You avoid any chance of re-growth, don't have to faff around cooking wood and I'm sure cork bark as cheap for you as it is over here!

I don't know man...over here, you'd think cork bark came from trees that produce diamond-studded "cork fruits"...(I'm trying to say it ain't cheap where I live)

 

[chique]

Diamond studded cork fruits, now that would be living it up!

I get big bits, for example around 20" x 7" for about 3 pounds n just break em up into littler bits or buy nice small bits for around 1.50. I consider that cheap because it's not as if I change it every week.

 

[Sheri]

I autoclave all of my cork bark before it goes into the cage. But then again, not everybody has access to an autoclave.

'3

How much would one cost? I suspect they must be available used as well.

 

[8SEXYLEGS]

Autoclaves are found in dental offices and hospitals to sterilize metal instruments. Autoclaves are VERY expensive,(think thousands of dollars) and unless you work in a dental office or hospital, you probably would not have access to one.
Also, I could have drove to the petstore and bought a new peice of cork, but why do that if I can effectivly clean the one I have? I did boil it, put it in the oven and all seems fine!

 

[becca81]

Also, I could have drove to the petstore and bought a new peice of cork, but why do that if I can effectivly clean the one I have? I did boil it, put it in the oven and all seems fine!

It may not be a bad idea (for anyone) to keep an extra peice of cork bark handy. That way if something like this happens, you can change it out, clean the one you have, and use it later with another T, etc. I did this with the little wooden hides that I have for my slings. I just cut a few extra just in case I needed to change them out, etc.