WHY ? does the leaf litter need to be boiled

[flybyferns]

Here is a good reason - IMO- why leaf litter needs to be boiled prior to use.
Here is a little pile of assorted debris from one bag of leaf litter.
The seeds are cool, but most have insect holes ----> just think of the possible infestation(s) in an enclosure
There's even a bonus ----a bird's feather! Yikes... that's doesn't have any nasty bugs !!





above -- it dries out very nicely.



Boiling for a few minutes may not get rid of all the nasty 'extras' .... but it will certainly help.