james dean Posted October 21, 2008 Share Posted October 21, 2008 I have a question do you need to treat real wood (like twigs from trees) before you use them for a mini project. I saw a cool fairy house in a magazine that I wanted to try to duplicate using twigs and such. Thanks ahead of time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhonda Posted October 21, 2008 Share Posted October 21, 2008 I would bake them on around 200 degrees for 20 mins in the oven just to make sure you didnt inadvertantly bring along some kind of insect which might eat your project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhonda from the Bluegrass Posted October 21, 2008 Share Posted October 21, 2008 To be "politically correct", yes. I have, however, used twigs straight out of the yard for stuff and never had a problem. I guess it's a bit of a crap shoot. The ones I did (so very many years ago) are still perfect . . . I always look at it like this: you can make it and see how it goes - if (much later) something goes wrong, just do it again. I haven't had to, but I always thing "well, so what . . . I did it the first time, I could do it again". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caseymini Posted October 21, 2008 Share Posted October 21, 2008 I'm with Rhonda. I have used twigs and vines etc, straight out of the backyard for years. I usually let them dry out a bit before bringing them in the house. I figure that if anything is living in them they will move out since the plant is no longer alive. I have some that are 20 years old or so.....They are still fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uppitycats Posted October 21, 2008 Share Posted October 21, 2008 I haven't baked the wood..but I generally do either varnish or shellac it for effect..and assume that the treatment would kill any critters. The shellacking gives it a bit of a shine and a bit of strength, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debra from Olde Cape Cod Posted October 21, 2008 Share Posted October 21, 2008 I've tried using wood glue to stick the twigs together, but it was a struggle. What kinds of glues does everyone use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted October 21, 2008 Share Posted October 21, 2008 Because the critters that like living wood tend to move out when the wood dies doesn't mean that the critters who like to digest dead wood and return it to the soil don't move in, especially in my part of the world. 200 degrees for 20 minutes? I preheat the oven to 450 degrees, wrap my vegetation in foil and pop it into the oven, turn off the oven & remove the package next AM; pop it into the freezer until that ev ening, preheat the oven again and repeat that process; then I use it. I stick the pieces together with Probond. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debra from Olde Cape Cod Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 Probond? Is that a construction adhesive, a tacky glue or something like 527? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolfie Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 Me too. I cut bits and pieces from the trees and bring in cones and such for the Christmas tree. I do put everything i a bag and put it in the freezer for a week! When I take it out I shake the things out really well. Outside. I don't have a problem with any bugs .......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corwin Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 Wow thats a lot of oppinions. I would like to bake it however my parents would have a fit with me using the oven for such a purpose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 Corwin, that's why I wrap it in foil first. Probond is a wood glue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_in_PA Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 I always give the wood, twigs, etc. a clear coat to seal it. To glue it, I use a good grade wood glue & often use a very small nail to hold it down. I use my Dremel & a tiny bit to drill a hole first before I nail it, so it don't split. Steve in PA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justmesue Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 When it comes to critters, one can never be too cautious! I take precautions as well. I'm also, somewhat buggophobic, so maybe I tend to worry more than others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManhattanLoser Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 I dip it in diluted bleach, let it dry, and then apply a varnish. I figure bleach is a kill-all. And it hasn't changed the natural color of the wood, in my experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chesterfieldzoo Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 Freezing your stuff will not kill the bugs. Think winter. I use a 10% bleach solution for a quick wash, let it air dry. If I am worried about something actually living in it I spray it first with Raid, then wash. For branches for the birds, I do the bleach wash, rinse well and bake 150/175 for 20 minutes keeping an eye on it so it doesn't get too hot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted October 22, 2008 Share Posted October 22, 2008 The bake-freeze-bake cycle I use isn't just to kill those beasties that I can see... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missymew Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 Freezing your stuff will not kill the bugs. Think winter. I use a 10% bleach solution for a quick wash, let it air dry. If I am worried about something actually living in it I spray it first with Raid, then wash. For branches for the birds, I do the bleach wash, rinse well and bake 150/175 for 20 minutes keeping an eye on it so it doesn't get too hot. Temperatures in our northern winters can dip to minus 30 and minus 40 degrees. Our winter temperatures drop down this low several times over the winter and often stay down there for a week or more at a time. One winter we had 30 days of minus thirty temperatures with no break. Every Spring the bugs crawl out from under the bark and multiply quickly. I prefer to bake my twigs in the oven. -Susanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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