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 Woodworm in wooden branch!
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Moppet
Fully Grown Corn

United Kingdom
3315 Posts

Posted - 23/12/2012 :  22:45:24  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Just discovered that there is woodworm in the branch I bought from p@h. Fresh holes and wood dust nearby so they're obviously alive and active. Very unimpressed as it was sold as treated and safe for reptiles!

So, how do I treat them? I have removed it from my viv (and my house!!) and I want to make it safe to put back into Kali's viv. What is the best way to get rid of them? Will soaking it in a bleech solution work? It won't fit in my oven otherwise I would bake it for a bit to kill the *ahem* 'nasty little things'.

2.4.0 Corn snakes
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Georgina
Fully Grown Corn

United Kingdom
2382 Posts

Posted - 23/12/2012 :  22:47:57  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Would it fit in the freezer? I would deep freeze them bleach then bake. Or take it back.

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gmac
The Scottish Admin

United Kingdom
5319 Posts

Posted - 23/12/2012 :  23:15:23  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
freezing isnt the best option, bugs just go dormant. bleach and bake in oven to purge


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serena_08
Yearling

United Kingdom
784 Posts

Posted - 23/12/2012 :  23:16:33  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
^^ and put a complaint in to Pets at Home.

1.0.0 Corn: D-Bo (Amel)
1.0.0 Western Hognose: C*ntyB*ll*cks
0.1.0 MBK: Rosa
0.0.1 Leopard Gecko: Zuko
0.0.1 Bearded Dragon: Kobe
0.0.1 Fire Bellied Toad: Snoop
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1.0.0 Staffy: MooMoo


I intend to live forever. So far, so good.
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herriotfan
Fully Grown Corn

United Kingdom
5853 Posts

Posted - 23/12/2012 :  23:30:21  Show Profile  Click to see herriotfan's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote
I would take it back and explain the problem.
Photo's would be good for evidence if you have any.
What a shame your oven isn't big enough to deal with the little blighters.


Husband....Very Understanding!!! (Phil)
Son & Daughter (Kevin & Carol)
Granddaughter (Eva)
3.4.0 Cornsnakes Amel (Sidney) Caramel Stripe (Sultan) Amber (Cleo) Carolina (Phoebe) Anery Motley Stripe (Penny) Snow (Lily) Caramel (Holmes)
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??? Foster animals
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Moppet
Fully Grown Corn

United Kingdom
3315 Posts

Posted - 23/12/2012 :  23:36:20  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Don't have any pictures unfortunately, I was too preoccupied with getting it out of my wooden viv and house (with lots of wooden furniture!)

It doesn't fit in my freezer either, it's quite a large piece of wood. Currently soaking in a bath full of boiling bleach water. Will this kill them? I will definitely be complaining to p@h, it's really terrible to be selling pieces of wood which haven't been treated properly!

I like this piece of wood Is it dangerous to the snakes if I was to treat it with a woodworm killer? Obviously I wouldn't just put it straight back into the viv, I would treat it, let it stand for a week or so to make sure they are all dead, then bleach and rinse rinse rinse rinse!

Or, would it be okay to treat it with woodworm killer such as cuprinol, then leave it for 5 days then varnish with a snake safe varnish? Then there wouldn't be any fumes and it would be easier to clean in the future? What types of varnish are safe for treating snake decor items?

2.4.0 Corn snakes
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Edited by - Moppet on 24/12/2012 00:50:31
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Auld Baldy
Ikea's Pimp

United Kingdom
1619 Posts

Posted - 24/12/2012 :  01:24:57  Show Profile  Visit Auld Baldy's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Don't use woodworm killer of any type, use plain bleach in boiling water and soak for at least 24 hours. Follow by several rinses and soak in clean water for another 24 hours. Leave to dry naturally in an airing cupboard or near a radiator. Maybe better in a garden shed as you don't want any survivors getting into home furniture. Let it dry out for at least a week, preferably longer. Check and make sure that there is no more evidence of the woodworm before putting it back in the viv. I wouldn't bother with the varnish.

Certainly complain to P@H and explain that you are treating the wood but press for some sort of compensation for the inconvenience. Photos would be a help.



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0.0.1: Carolina Normal: Wee Woody
0.0.1: Grey Rat Snake: Mirkey
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1.0.0: Carpet Python: Vambo
0.0.1: MBK: Fester
0.0.1: Florida King Snake : Rattler (Rattle & Hum)
0.0.1. California King Snake: El Diablo Diego
0.2.0 Tarantulas : Ermintrude & Euphemia.
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Moppet
Fully Grown Corn

United Kingdom
3315 Posts

Posted - 24/12/2012 :  02:09:04  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Thanks Auld Baldy, I will do that

Poor Kali, she's deep in blue and wasn't really best impressed at having her whole viv gutted, her wood removed and everything cleaned. Even got a bit of a tail rattle when I moved her out of her old cereal box and into her new one and she's normally such a fantastically tolerant, gentle snake.

2.4.0 Corn snakes
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0.1.0 Golden retriever
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Criminal Nails
Hatchling

Spain
275 Posts

Posted - 25/12/2012 :  21:23:41  Show Profile  Visit Criminal Nails's Homepage  Reply with Quote
God, they can't sell stuff like that! Bleach it up (kill it with fire!! :p) and use plenty of boiling water... As said above! Varnishing with snake safe varnish can also be a good remedy for future little beasties. It will take some time, but better safe than sorry. Poor Kali, in blue and disturbed! Well, that's the proof that even a sweet "little" snake can rattle and have a feisty inner beast :)

Criminal Nails .-
0.0.1 Ghost Corn (Discordia)
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