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Old 07-17-2018, 07:15 AM   #1
SandyT
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Default Cork tunnels

Hiya,
I have just received the two cork tunnels I'd ordered in order to start getting my cage ready.
I know I need to brush, rinse, dry and freeze them beforehand but do I need to pull off the peeling bits of bark inside? Also, they both have lichen on them and I don't know if this is safe?
TIA
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Old 07-17-2018, 08:21 AM   #2
cypher
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Default Re: Cork tunnels

There's no need to remove any of the lichen, moss etc on the cork, I just give mine a good brush (be fairly gentle as cork is quite fragile) & freeze them for about a week.
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Old 07-18-2018, 11:58 AM   #3
SandyT
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Default Re: Cork tunnels

Thank you again. Im sorry for asking so many questions, I'm jusr scared of not getting it right and I would hate hammy to suffer due to my lack of knowledge.
So I don't even need to rinse the cork first?
I'm planning on getting Fitch for the substrate and from what I have read on here, there could be a chance of mites. I've only got a small freezer so it will take me ages to freeze a whole bail, so if there are mites in it, what should I do with the rest before I've had a chance to freeze it?
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Old 07-18-2018, 12:09 PM   #4
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Default Re: Cork tunnels

Don't apologise, it's always good to ask questions!
If the cork is really dusty or seems to have mud on it then you could give it a rinse.
I've never frozen fitch & I've been using it for years with no problems, there is a chance that mites could get into it but it's unlikely so I really wouldn't worry about that.
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Old 07-18-2018, 01:00 PM   #5
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Default Re: Cork tunnels

I just rinse the cork logs and let them dry. I do freeze them for a week in case any microscopic things are living in them but I read somewhere that it makes no difference! I do it anyway. I don't bother to freeze Fitch. If it's a new bag and it's kept indoors, not somewhere outdoors or damp, it should be fine.

I did used to worry about the lichen etc but it's fine - none of our hamsters have every attempted to chew them.
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Old 07-18-2018, 02:03 PM   #6
SandyT
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Default Re: Cork tunnels

Thank you both for your replies, it's a big relief because 10kg of Fitch is a lot to freeze. (Phoned yesterday and they didn't seem to have any real idea when the 20kg would be back in stock.). I'm sure I read on here that someone had had mites in their cage and suspected it was the Fitch they had come from, which is why I thought that needed freezing too.
Thank you again. ��
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Old 07-18-2018, 10:37 PM   #7
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Default Re: Cork tunnels

I think there was a post here about mites that may have come from fitch but if I remember rightly it wasn't certain & the fitch may not have been stored properly.
Given the number of people here that use it without freezing I think you can take it as safe.
As a general rule I freeze cork, wood, any plant material like hay or moss, things like millet & flax sprays & food.
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Last edited by cypher; 07-18-2018 at 11:13 PM.
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Old 07-21-2018, 02:46 AM   #8
SandyT
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Default Re: Cork tunnels

Such a relief about the Fitch. Can you freeze crickets and meal worms or would u advise against this? I don't want them turning to mush once defrosted.
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Old 07-21-2018, 03:59 AM   #9
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Default Re: Cork tunnels

I don't freeze my mealworms or other dried insects, I know some people do but as they're freeze dried & I don't think it's advisable to refreeze things I don't.
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Old 07-24-2018, 01:04 PM   #10
SandyT
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Default Re: Cork tunnels

That's a good point, I didn't think about them being freeze dried. I'll just put them in little air tight tubs and that should be ok.
Thank you again.
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