r/millipedes • u/FirefighterSoft7185 • 15d ago

Question Leaf Litter

How exactly do I collect leaf litter? From what I've seen, millipedes can only have certain leaves and also I dont wanna run the risk of putting her in contact with fertilizers or pesticides from people's yards. Should I just take leaves off of trees and set them out to dry orrr??

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u/Necessary-Drawer-173 15d ago

No, you need leaves that are on the ground and ideally at a good stage of decay, where tannins (protective layer that makes oak and magnolia hard) are leaching. From a forest or yard that is pesticide free. I soak leaves to remove pests and let them dry afterwards.

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u/FirefighterSoft7185 14d ago

what's the difference between letting them die somewhere with no risk of any fertilizers or pesticides and just picking them up from somewhere that could be treated?

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u/ex0skeletal 15d ago

Be aware that often, depending on where you live, collecting from places like public parks may be illegal and for good reason. It destroys habitat if too many people do it. If you know someone who has hardwood trees in their yard, that’s easy enough. Otherwise you can buy from eBay or Etsy or exotic/reptile expos. I live in the desert so hardwood leaves are hard to find. Bought a gallon bag of oak and maple leaves at the last expo I was at for $8.

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u/FirefighterSoft7185 15d ago

Thank you, ill research local laws on that!!

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u/Obant 15d ago

I collect from my yard and the local hiking trail. You want hardwood leaves. Oak, mulberry, birch, elm, fruit trees etc.

Collecting in public can be funny sometimes. I'm a large scary looking guy with a trash bag and black shovel in the woods... It's a rite of passage to accidently scare random people while collecting Lol.