Pine cones?

[meg_and_the_zoo]

I apologize if I'm asking a question that's already been answered but I think I'm confused lol

I could swear I'd read somewhere that conifers overall were a no-no but I saw pine cones on the safe food list. I'd just like some clarification there.

Also, how should leaves, flowers, bark, etc. collected be treated/prepared before introducing them to the crabs? There are all sorts of neat things in the woods surrounding me


Zoo mom of 3 cats, a dog, a fish and 3 crabs

[wodesorel]

Pine cones have always been on the safe list.

Everything else is still debated. People have used the half pine logs safely for years, and since pine cones are safe, no part of the tree is toxic. Hermits live in and on pine and fir in the wild. However, pine sap and oils cause respiratory and skin reactions in birds and mammals, and the worry is that it could do the same in crabs in the closed confines of a crabitat. (No wind, rain or fresh air to thin out these oils and aromatics.) So, for that reason only is it not recommended to use branches, or create piles of needles.

[meg_and_the_zoo]

Ah, ok. That makes sense. So how do I "treat" a pine cone? They are everywhere here so I was excited to see them on the list


Zoo mom of 3 cats, a dog, a fish and 3 crabs

[soilentgringa]

If you can find some from a guaranteed pesticide free area that would be good. I would ri se them really well in some hot hot water and let them air dry...or you could bake them as you would other wood items maybe.

Sent from my LG-D850 using Tapatalk

[meg_and_the_zoo]

I've talked to my apartment folks and, as I suspected, they don't spray/treat with anything. But just to be safe I simmered in a salt water bath for about 10 minutes and then zapped in the microwave for like 45 seconds.


Zoo mom of 3 cats, a dog, a fish and 3 crabs