Prep for "found" mount?

[patticake]

I recently bought a piece of driftwood that I thought was perfect for my first try at mounting. I then found a really nice piece on the banks of Lake Ontario that I liked even more. My question is this- Can I use this as-is, or do I have to sterilize it so to speak? I haven't found any info on this, and would be grateful for any advice.

[norris]

Hi Patticake, I asked the same question last week, and it was suggested I try to cure it by soaking it a few days to kill insects and dissolve any salts, then cure in the sun for a while. One member soaks them in a swimming pool, I think that is a good idea, because the chemicals would help kill any microbes or insects, I don't have a pool though

[janet_a]

ontario's freshwater right? if there's any chance salt is involved, i'd rinse the hell out of the wood; then i'd sit it in the sun for a couple weeks and see if anything crawls out of it. if not, i think you're good to go.

[patticake]

Thanks, Norris & Janet-
Norris, This shows how much I pay attention, doesn't it?
Janet- Yes, Ontario is fresh water. I think I'll give it a go-