How do you treat pine cones before use?

Question

I have heard you must bake them to kill any bugs before using inside for decorations. I want to paint them for next years use.

Answer 1

just dry them out... no need to bake them..but if you are worried about bugs.. give them a light spray of raid

Answer 2

I've never baked them or anything. I just picked the very nicest looking ones from off the ground and used them as is. I've never experienced any bug problem at all.

I just finished putting another bunch of newly picked pine cones into my dining room as a decoration and I haven't seen any problems. I keep a neat and tidy house, so I think I would've seen bugs if they had been in the cones.

Answer 3

my mom made a beautiful wreath in her garden club many years ago, and the pine cones were baked so's the sap wouldn't be a dust magnet. i remember that the 'baking' was done on a old cookie sheet covered with a brown paper bag to absorb the sap. i'm not sure what temperature it was done at, but i would imagine it would be about the same as meringue cookies baked that way. the wreath turned out fantastic and was done back in the days before hot melt glue guns! i don't remember anyone mentioning baking them to kill bugs though. what i remember most was how cool the house smelled. good luck, hope this helps.

Answer 4

If you bake the pine cone you will kill the seeds, it's like popping corn. Rinse them under hot water and dry.

Answer 5

never baked the ones I use. if you want to paint them make sure they are dry and then spray with a clear shellac after painting. cones make adorable owls and xmas trees..