Oak Leaves

[DiTo]

I have plenty of oak trees outside of my house and was wondering what I should do before offering any of the fallen leaves to my crabs. Should I boil them first?

[GotButterflies]

First of all, have any pesticides or fertilizers ever been used on the trees? If so, I wouldn't use them. Hermits are sensitive to them. If not, then some rinse, some bake. If you rinse, make sure you use dechlorinated water.

Edit~ if not, then some people rinse, some people bake

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[DiTo]

Thanks! how hot and how long should i bake?

[Just Jay]

I do all my leaves and wood at 300 but dip them in FW/SW [SW for wood to avoid mold] and bake till they are dry. But you should turn them over or mix them up in the middle of baking. This take a few minutes and i dont leave the room. Some leave the over ajar. Just watch it and you'll be fine!

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[PinchersAndShells]

I put my leaves in individually laid out on aluminum foil on a cookie sheet, put the oven to the lowest temperature (175 F is ideal) and put them in for 30 minutes leaving the oven door cracked. Then after 30 minutes check, if they aren't dry and crunchy then they aren't done. After this point if they need to go longer do this in 15 minute intervals.

[LadyJinglyJones]

I had access to oak leaves from a natural space. I offered dried (just hung upside down for a few weeks, the old fashioned way) picked green leaves, and fallen brown leaves. Brown were def. favored.

I didn't treat them, for what it's worth. I didn't worry about bug eggs or anything because I figure that's just protein.
Also, because bugs are nifty.

[mool]

I pick the leave while they are still green then air dry them after rinsing them off until they turn brown and crunchy then I crumble them up.

I've offered oak, sycamore, ash, birch, and a few more. They seem to like oak leaves the best but they love the sycamore seed pods.

[LadyJinglyJones]

Sycamore pods, eh? I will have to try those!

Something I'd really like to try is sugar maple leaves or shoots, because the sap is sweeter.

[PinchersAndShells]

Mine are a fan of burning bush leaves dried, which boosts color so hey! I'm not complaining!

[mlakers]

Mine like the burning bush leaves a lot, too. They also like the sticks and the berries of the burning bush.

[aussieJJDude]

Some have said their crabs also love raspberry leaves as well! Many leaves from around your house can be used safely IMO. Just stay away from plants that will produce a "whitish milky sap" when broken and to a degree, plant leaves like pine and cedar - they are on the border between safe and unsafe, more testing is necessary - and it should be good to go!

[mool]

I have a mixture of organic dried raspberry, strawberry, blackberry, nettles, birch, alfalfa, and a few other leafs. I give it to my crabbies about 1-2 times/month and they go nuts for it.

I'm lucky in that my brother in law works for a lovely store called Mountain Rose Herbs where their entire inventory is organic and/or wild harvested. He sends me shipments of the herbs, spices, EO's, and other goodies all the time. Me and all my critters benefit from this perk.