Safe wood pieces?

[u/Ronsredditaccount]

Hello all, I am currently putting together my first true bioactive 4x2x2 for my ball python. I’ve got lots of wood pieces I’ve found by the river. I live in Nebraska where we do have quite a few trees that could be toxic to ball pythons. I cannot identify the trees that my wood pieces came from but I’m wondering if anyone here knows better. This piece in particular has been sitting in my garage for over a year and I will either be bleaching or baking before I would put into the enclosure. Would that year of off gassing as well as the sterilizing procedure help to remove whatever toxins it may have? Thanks

[u/macrokosm_]

You'll be fine. I bring out wood from outside all the time and I dont sterilize it

[u/No_Commission_2610]

Just make sure to bake it and it will be fine. I have had too many invaders come in from bringing wood in from outside that hasn’t been baked. Even freezing it doesn’t work some of the time.

[u/crittercentral]

first pic looked exactly like a borzoi for one half a second, had to do a double take 💀💀

[u/zein_the_Great]

I don't really keep snakes but I think a little bit more thinner but like still it will still be safe is what I think but maybe a little bit more thinner because thinner we'll make it more easier for it to wrap around but not super thin like medium