Hard wood shavings?

[Ratschooksanddog]

Hey

I asked at my local timber mill the other day and i found out that they often have hard wood shavings that i can have for free.
Like tralor loades of it!

They are from gumtrees...i've never seen gum mentioned...is it ok?

Jessica

[squeaky]

I've read that you should only use non-resinous shavings. Gum trees are resinous.
I did find this link to Victoria Rat Society though, so perhaps someone there can give you a better answer.

[brandy]

I would maybe get a sample and see if you can smell the shavings at all - like, aside from a general "woody" smell, if there's a distinctive scent like you get with pine or cedar.  If there is, definitely don't use it. If there's not, even when you put enough of it together to fill the cage bottom, I'm guessing (not positive though) that it would be safe, since phenols are what give those woods their distinctive smell.

[jessiree]

I'd be very cautious...like some one mentioned about the resin...also you never know what kind of creepy crawlies are in it.  At very least I'd freeze it first.

[brandy]

I'd be very cautious...like some one mentioned about the resin...also you never know what kind of creepy crawlies are in it.  At very least I'd freeze it first.

Yes, that's a great point - any "wild" wood is sure to have some kind of bugs hiding in it, so make sure you freeze it or bake it before you use it!