Baking substrate time and temps?

[Toxique]

Hello guys, I've once again come to the ugly pesky occurrence of having little white bugs in Mortimer's viv, and I'm going on yet another neat freak escapade of trying to get everything cleared away. But as freezing didn't work to knock these little buggers back like last time, I'm going to bake my substrates and his wooden items now. But can someone tell me how hot I should bake them, and for how long? Thanks!

[Susann]

Off the top of my head I can't remember what the ignition point is for wood, but look that up (or wait for a person with better memory to chip in) and set your oven just under that temp, and bake away! I would say, the longer, the better...? I would also maybe spray down the substrate from time to time and stir/turn it over every now and then, so it doesn't dry out too much. Solid cork/bark and wood is up to you if you feel better wetting it down a bit, not sure what the guidelines there would be, I just lightly sprayed down my Mopani wood decor before baking--just didn't want it to dry out too much and crack. I was just going with gut-feeling though, I had no advice or recommendations to go with.

I also put EVERYTHING that wasn't wood through a sanitizing dishwasher cycle with a little bleach instead of detergent.

[critterguy]

OTOH what is the concern? If they don't bother the skink, they are likely nothing to worry about. They sound like springtails to me.

Their is not point in working yourself up and wasting resources over a bunch of harmless little insects. They are only a problem if you think they are.

[neurotic88]

Am I being silly to think that since this is such an ongoing issue, the manufacturers would do this before bagging it up?

I don't know why they don't. It's the single reason I don't use Repti-bark =\

I personally hate the idea of bugs in my substrate, whether they harm my pet or not.

[Susann]

OTOH what is the concern? If they don't bother the skink, they are likely nothing to worry about. They are only a problem if you think they are.

O, wow, how I wish I could have that attitude!
Personally, I live indoors for a reason; to GET AWAY FROM CREEPY CRAWLIES!
Me and anything that's born/hatched with more than 4 legs have a clear understanding: you come into MY house, YOU die!
...but that's just me...

[skeetersmom]

I also have hermit crabs - so this is a common issue (though I have been blessed with not having the problem myself). Bake the wood at 125 degrees C for 3-4 hours - especially if you REALLY want to make sure the wee beasties are irradicated.

If your susbtrate (wood) is damp/wet you will need to dry it first - or put temp lower and cook longer.

I am in the camp that if they don't bother the creature - leave them alone...but I also raise roaches for my BT - have them right in my living room! (OK - in a tank )