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Post by jennyjoy on Mar 25, 2014 21:32:12 GMT
Hello Everyone,
I'm looking for ways to save money on apple sticks for my four degus and two chinchillas but if I need to keep buying apple sticks then this is what I will continue to do. I live in an area where we have orchards and orchards of apple trees and I know that they are sprayed. Now, this may seem like a naive question but is there a way to make bits and pieces of these apple trees safe for my critters to chew on?
Thank you,
Jennifer
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Post by yasmin on Mar 25, 2014 21:54:50 GMT
That's a good question. Is there any way that you can find out what the trees are sprayed with?
I am in Canada too and sourcing apple tree twigs is an issue. However, I have found one Pet Valu that sells apple tree twigs/cut branches from a local orchard specifically bagged for selling as chews for pet rodents. I assume those branches haven't been sprayed (hmmm???)
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Post by jennyjoy on Mar 25, 2014 22:18:37 GMT
Ok, so I've just talked to a lady who has apple trees and they used to spray their apple trees but they decided to go organic about 7 years... do you think this is enough time to pass to make them safe for my degus and chinchillas to chew on?
Yasmin,
I'm sure I could find out what the trees are sprayed with as they are usually sprayed to blossom thin and if there is an aphid problem. Hopefully, with the info I found out about the people who have gone organic with their trees that the trees will be safe after 7 years of no spraying.
Jennifer
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Post by Kins on Mar 26, 2014 13:17:17 GMT
Off topic and not helpful, but I thought the title of this thread was 'apple trees that have been SPAYED'  |
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Post by moletteuk on Mar 26, 2014 15:37:22 GMT
It depends whether the spray is one that sits on the surface to work, or whether it gets absorbed by the plant. Surface ones can be washed off, but others not so. There aren't all that many treatments still authorised for use in the UK, I don't know about Canada, but it might not be too difficult to narrow down the possibilities.
I would probably be happy to use the wood if it hasn't been treated for 7 years, particularly the newer growth should be fine.
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Post by ilikedegus on Mar 26, 2014 17:05:24 GMT
Goodness, I'm so lucky (as are my degus) - my mum has some apple trees which only ever get a bit of pruning.
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Post by jennyjoy on Apr 12, 2014 6:49:41 GMT
Kins - that is too funny! Lol
Moletteuk - I've been meaning to phone and ask around but haven't had a chance yet. I think if I boil the apple wood sticks and then 'bake' them in the oven to dry out, then it might be fine.
Ilikedegus- You are lucky indeed!
Thanks for the feedback everyone. :-)
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Post by anita on Apr 12, 2014 7:41:14 GMT
Off topic and not helpful, but I thought the title of this thread was 'apple trees that have been SPAYED'  LOL the word is prune......now every time a cut a tree the word spay is going to come into my head cheers!!!!!!  |
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Post by toothbrush on Apr 24, 2014 16:21:34 GMT
If it helps, 3yrs is normally the safety margin given for spraying trees/ crops in the UK till they can be certified organic, so 7 should be fine  |
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