Help with cork bark

[Aracnoenthusiast]

Any tips on ridding cork bark and substrate of pests? I'm considering freezing before use as a preventative measure

 

[m0lsx]

When it will fit in there, I use the microwave to make sure nothing live gets into my enclosures.

 

[Jess S]

Any tips on ridding cork bark and substrate of pests? I'm considering freezing before use as a preventative measure

Hi. What pests do you have living in there?

 

[Aracnoenthusiast]

Hi. What pests do you have living in there?

No pests currently living in the enclosure. I'm just trying to be pro active. It's the first time I've used cork bark. Usually use reptile hides, rock, that kinda thing

 

[Nunua]

If you get your cork bark from a pet store you don't need to sterilize it. I have never sterilized mine and have had no problems.

 

[Chicken101]

I have always boiled mine,I boil it for 10 minutes then let it air dry.

 

[Arachnoclown]

Never sterilized anything for any of my 1000s of tarantulas I've owned in 38 years.

 

[Aracnoenthusiast]

Never sterilized anything for any of my 1000s of tarantulas I've owned in 38 years.

I'm mostly worried about mites

 

[Jess S]

If mites show up at some point, they are not harmful to your tarantula, and you can kill them off by temporarily allowing the enclosure to dry out (and thats if you keep a t who needs moist substrate. With dry species it's unlikely you'll get mites).
There are a few species of predatory mites that can parasitise your t. But they tend to only be seen in wild caught T's that already had them

 

[Aracnoenthusiast]

If mites show up at some point, they are not harmful to your tarantula, and you can kill them off by temporarily allowing the enclosure to dry out (and thats if you keep a t who needs moist substrate. With dry species it's unlikely you'll get mites).
There are a few species of predatory mites that can parasitise your t. But they tend to only be seen in wild caught T's that already had them

My t is a b. Smithi so maybe mites onto be an issue

 

[Arachnoclown]

I'm mostly worried about mites

Nothing wrong with mites...most are beneficial. Parasitic mites are the only ones to worry about and they dont live in cork bark.

 

[Jess S]

My t is a b. Smithi so maybe mites onto be an issue

You're right, they won't be an issue for a B. smithi or other dry species.

 

[Hemolymph]

Any tips on ridding cork bark and substrate of pests? I'm considering freezing before use as a preventative measure

Rinse/wash with water and dry. I’ve been reusing the same corkbark for years.