I like to collect pine cones to use for some decor around the house {and not even just around Christmas, although, they are so festive then!}. I also love to make my DIY Scented Pine Cones to make the house smell delicious. So if you’re gearing up to use some in you holiday display or any other around the house crafts, decor or projects, you, like me, probably don’t want pesky bugs hitching a ride into your house from their pine cone home. Here’s how to get rid of those gross bugs:
Preheat your oven to 175F. Spread just the pine cones on a baking sheet {seriously, you have to remove any leaves or needles or things are gonna get ugly!}.
Bake for about 1.5 to 2 hours with the oven door open {I know, I know. Lost energy and all that. But it’s the only way it works!}. Because all ovens are different, I’d recommend checking after about 30 minutes to make sure they are not getting scorched. Then may every 15 minutes or so after that.
Once baking is done, your pine cones are bug free and ready for their repurposed life!!
Keep calm and craft on!
~Mavis
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Kristina says
I have always popped them in the deep freeze for a day or so, but I guess that still leaves you with dead bugs. Do you leave the oven open so the bugs will crawl/fly away?
Deborah from FL says
We used to freeze ours in garbage bags…
Amber says
I just put pine cones into plastic ziploc bags each season and forget about them until October. I always have a stash and figure any bugs will be gone by then.