Disinfecting branches?

Pianotes · Nov 28, 2020

Hi,

I’m preparing some natural branches for my budgie, but I’ve never disinfected any before and I’m not sure how to do it properly. I know that some people soak branches in bleach, or bake them in the oven but I’d like to avoid those methods if possible.
I’m going to disinfect some branches for my budgie, after I know that my method is safe. I intent to scrub them with F10, (diluted to a safe concentration, 8ml in 1 litre), vinegar (diluted with water in 2:1 ratio) before placing them outside in the sun for week (so that the UV light breaks up anything bad).

Thank you. :whiteblue:

Littleredbeak · Nov 28, 2020

I soak in cold vinegar, rinse, (if small enough I put in the oven) and sun dry. Sometimes I take the bark off with a knife. I recently read vinegar if boiled has toxic fumes so don’t do that!

chris-md · Nov 28, 2020

For branches small enough, the oven is usually the preferred method of disinfecting.

For larger branches (I have an Ekkie so oven is usually not an option), I soak in a mild bleach solution for an hour, then resoak twice more in plain water to get the bleach off. Once dried, branches are safe for use.

Pianotes · Nov 28, 2020

@Littleredbeak Okay, thank you

I’m assuming my method is safe then (except the vinegar)?

noodles123 · Nov 28, 2020

you still need to know what you are dealing with in terms of fungi, mold, parasites etc. F10 won't kill all or those, or remove the spores or toxins from certain molds, lichen etc. Also, some wood is toxic.

Baking is safer in some respects because it kills more, BUT you still may need to strip the bark etc depending on the tree (some bark can harbor dangerous fungi).

I would not mix vinegar and f10. Never mix chemicals unless you know what the reaction may be.

SailBoat · Nov 28, 2020

I believe in keeping it simple and safe.

- Remove all the bark!!! Bark is where the 'bad' stuff hides plus the bugs!
- With 'hot' water and Dawn Original dishwashing soap using a mild to stiff brush scrub clean.
- Rinse well with fresh clean water.
- Place on a hard surface (like a driveway) and allow to dry in bright Sunlight. Turn during the day so all sides dry and are exposed to the Sun.
NOTE: Leaving for multiple days increases the need to wash and dry again to remove the 'stuff' in the air.

Pianotes · Nov 29, 2020

Thank you for your advice. Sorry if I didn’t make it clear, but I’m my original post I meant that I would scrub the branches with F10, and then stub it with vinegar (separately).

Disinfecting branches?

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