HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hi everyone! I just had a (maybe not so) great idea, and I wanted to get your input. The crab apple tree outside my house has all of these new shoots every spring that need to be pruned off, and I we thinking maybe I could weave a second layer/ hammock thing out of them for my crabitat. Does anyone know if crab apple branches are poisonous for hermit crabs, or any other reasons I should not do this? Has anyone done it before? And are they called crab apples because hermit crabs like them?!?!?

Hello! Welcome to the HCA!

Yes, crabapple is safe, but you can only use it if you are completely sure that it has never been treated with pesticides or fertilizers.
Those are deadly to hermit crabs, and they are sensitive to them

Thank you! Do I need to wash it or anything? I know that it has not been treated with pesticides in the eight years that I have lived here.

You can kill off any mold or bugs by soaking the wood in saltwater (marine-grade) for a few hours. These are just small shoots, right? It’s also common to bake wood in the oven at 200 degrees Fahrenheit but I’m not sure what the procedure is for smaller sticks.

Yes, they are small. I just tried to weave them together and it did not really work, so now I am thinking I will make a hammock out of twine and just put a few sticks in to climb on.

Have you considered crochet? It's fast & works well with jute. I taught myself from a YouTube tutorial so I could make a crab wall climb.

Actually I know how to knit, so I tried to knit one. My crab seems to like it so far, but I think if I want to I can rip it out and remake it. Is crochet supposed to be better?

Oh, no, you did all that work - don't tear it apart!

Knit is great! I'm sure your crabs love it! I just suggested crochet because it's fast & easy.... and if even I can pick it up, anyone can (I can't knit!).

Ok, thank you!