outdoor sticks for my gerbils

[Shelley and Don]

Hello list, I have just a quick question regarding my gerbils chewing -- as far as WHAT is okay for them to chew on and what is NOT OKAY or might be potentially harmful for them. I was just outside and checking out that there are a lot of sticks out there and wondered if it is okay to let them chew on a "regular" outdoor stick, as opposed to the sterile stuff we buy at the pet store. Maybe it's a stupid question, I don't know... I just am afraid to give them the "outdoor stick" until I am sure, especially since it smells of pitch and I don't want to hurt my little darlings.   Thank you in advance   Shelley w/ Gerbie of the Wilderness and Jin (just a friend of hers)