HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I bought a length of (what I'm fairly certain is, package doesn't specify) hemp rope from michael's. I want to use this for something the crabs can climb around on and such.

I see hemp on the safe foods list, so my main concern is there anything I need to do to decontaminate it from anything it might've picked up at the store/production? It's clearly a processed product so I'm guessing some chemical was probably used in its manufacturing.

It doesn't have a chemically smell other than like old hemp rope, so I'm hopeful this can be used.

Also same questions apply for a piece of fish net I bought. Ive never had these kinds of materials in my crabitat, what do I need to do to make this stuff crab safe?

Im pretty sure you don't have to do anything to the rope. Crabs seem pretty good at keeping themselves away from harmful substances. I've had a hemp rope net that I made in there for like two weeks, and my surfaced crab climbs all over it just about every day. Fish net I'm sure is okay too, but make sure the holes are big enough. I know mine got stuck in the yarn fish net I made as a sampler to see if they'd even use it

If the fish net is the type sold in bags at Michaels, Hobby Lobby and Jo-Ann's, it's genuine used netting so a good rinse in hot water will not only remove any debris but will remove some of the "genuine odor" as well. You can always soak the hemp rope in warm dechlorinated SW and drying it before adding it to the crabitat; the SW soak will help prevent mold as well as removing/reducing any possible coatings.

So basically soak everything in hot saltwater and let dry? I had planned to do at least that in the first place so awesome no extra work required.

Also, anyone have any idea how long the said rope will hold up in a crabitat before it starts to rot/disintegrate? What with the humidity and all..

Gracias for the replies Amigos.

If you don't mind me tagging on to your thread... I bought a ball of the hemp cord recommended in another thread for crocheting your own nets. I notice hemp cord also comes in colors. Are colors not recommended? I've also seen colored jute (although I've only used natural so far).