Floral grass for Foraging toy?

[attycakes]

Hi guys!

I have been trying to get creative and find new ways to create toys and keep my fids entertained and engaged during their play time. I have been working with them and making foraging toys so that have something to get their little destructive spurts of energy out on something that is also going to be rewarding for them. I've been mostly using untreated cardboard, paper folded and scrunched up, all kinds of "upcycled" things while being mindful of dyes/glue/etc.

Then I realized I have this super long bunch of "prairie grass" that I got from the craft store that I think would be really fun for them to dig through to find treats. It basically is long stands of grass/sticks that I would cut to be 5-6in in length and bundle them together using twine to hang about the outside of the cage during supervised play time.

It doesn't have a scent, it's very fragile (easily broken with a firm touch with your finger), and quite natural looking. My plan would be to hide almonds and seeds inside of the bundles so they could dig and break the pieces off to find it.

Here's the grass I have:

https://www.hobbylobby.com/Floral-Wedding/Dried-Flowers/Brown-Prairie-Grass/p/3140#review-section

I'm curious if anyone sees any red flags? Warning signs? I don't necessarily see anything that is saying "No!" but also nothing saying "Yes!" at the same time. I planned on using it for a different bird-less project and will just keep it if not possible to use with them.

Thanks in advance!

 

[SailBoat]

I see big red flags and warning signs! If you think about the process of sourcing, transporting, processing, packaging, warehousing, transporting, and store display. And, then the most important individual, the buyer! The last thing anyone wants along that very long list of getting infestations of bugs, etc... To eliminate that possibility, chemicals are used in volume to assure it does not happen.

 

[attycakes]

I see big red flags and warning signs! If you think about the process of sourcing, transporting, processing, packaging, warehousing, transporting, and store display. And, then the most important individual, the buyer! The last thing anyone wants along that very long list of getting infestations of bugs, etc... To eliminate that possibility, chemicals are used in volume to assure it does not happen.

Noted and I won't be using it then! Thanks a ton. I think a good rule of thumb is "if you question it - then don't use it." If I have any doubts in the future, I will be sure to consider what you said - it went through a lot of process just to get here and I'm sure a ton of chemicals was put on to it.

I guess it sounds like I have a nice garden project to work on. Organic wheat grass sounds like a nice and healthy alternative.