New corkbark

[VetTech54]

Hi All, I just purchased new cork bark from a local exotics store. It smells something awful (like a reptile house). Is there anyway to get the smell out of the cork bark? I'm setting up a new bioactive enclosure for my P. machala and really wanted to use it. Thanks!!

 

[Ramen]

Does it smell sour? Are there any other signs of decay?

 

[VetTech54]

Does it smell sour? Are there any other signs of decay?

No, it smells like the store. They mostly sell reptiles and it smells like a reptile house. No signs of decay.

 

[Ramen]

Hmm. My thought would be to leave it outside for a day and see if it still has the odor. I wonder if they sold you a used slab?

 

[VetTech54]

Hmm. My thought would be to leave it outside for a day and see if it still has the odor. I wonder if they sold you a used slab?

I picked it out myself. I purchased some spider wood too. It also smells. Everything smells. Even the fake bird skull I purchased smells. I have it outside right now. I live in Ohio so there is no chance of bugs getting it right now because it is too cold. I was thinking perhaps a dilute bleach bath may help?

 

[IntermittentSygnal]

I have this exact problem, too. I just let them air out in my house for a week or so and then scrub them with hot water and a toothbrush (that’s only used for that purpose) before I use them.

 

[Wolfram1]

how quickly do you need to get it done?

if you got time, i would rinse it, and then let it air-dry outside, a few days and some rain wouldnt hurt either

if you have a garden-hose that would be a good way to go about it

baking it in low heat my get you some results quicker, but i have no experience with that, so take that advice with a grain of salt

if it isnt filthy the smell alone likely wont harm your spider...

 

[Brewser]

Might be a 'Sign' for You to Start Keeping Reptiles.
or
Refresh It Outside for Awhile

 

[IntermittentSygnal]

I have baked mine on low heat (150-200) for an hour after throughly soaking the cork. I’ve also popped throughly wet smaller cork in the microwave for 30 second bursts. My only concern with leaving them outdoors is someone(s) moving into this nice new house. A sunny window maybe? Of course washing and baking/micro should knock them out.

 

[Gevo]

I picked it out myself. I purchased some spider wood too. It also smells. Everything smells. Even the fake bird skull I purchased smells. I have it outside right now. I live in Ohio so there is no chance of bugs getting it right now because it is too cold. I was thinking perhaps a dilute bleach bath may help?

Bleach can kill tarantulas, so don't go that route!

Just leave it to air out for a while. Scrubbing it down probably won't help a ton if the smell has permeated the wood, and then you'll have soggy cork bark that needs to dry out. Your tarantula won't be hurt or bothered by reptile smell, so it's more for you than anything.

 

[Mike41793]

I'd toss them outside for a couple weeks or until it stops smelling. I assume Ohio is as cold as it is in the northeast right now. Freeze the stank out of it lol

 

[Wolfram1]

I'd toss them outside for a couple weeks or until it stops smelling. I assume Ohio is as cold as it is in the northeast right now. Freeze the stank out of it lol

yea freezing is an effective smell remover

 

[Mike41793]

yea freezing is an effective smell remover

Even better if it's freezing rain like we had most of the day yesterday in NH

 

[viper69]

Never been to a place that sold reptiles or a zoo that smelled of reptiles - weird