Cypress Mulch

[Minkness]

I have looked everywhere I can think of to find pure cypress mulch and all I can find is the expensive ZooMed bags at PetCo and Petsmart. I even looked online and all that comes up are cypress 'blends'.

Where else can I look? Keep in mind, I have already looked into all of the home improvement stores.

[toddnbecka]

Last time I ordered it from Reptile Products You Can Trust | Reptile Basics Inc (http://www.reptilebasics.com/substrate/cypress-mulch/) Used to find huge bags of it at the shows pretty cheap, but not lately.

[SnoopySnake]

Its either walmart or home depot (can't remember which, want to say walmart) SOMETIMES has it over the summer. I found it last year, but never saw it this year. Also not at all locations. The pieces were a bit big though. You may be able to find big bags at expos if there's a good size one near you, or just order in bulk through reptile basics.

[Minkness]

I may have to go through reptile basics from the look of it. Walmart has a bag that is also 'no float' pure cypress but it's not at ant locations near me and apparently not available to be shipped. So poo....

Home Depot has mulch labled as 'cypress' in their system, but the bag clearly states 'cypress blend'. I already went and looked. =(

[SnoopySnake]

Yeah, its the "no float" stuff from walmart that I found. Like I said, big pieces though. Reptile basics is probably your best bet until next season, unless you can check an expo near you.

[RAD House]

While cypress is good for reptiles it is not a renewable resource and harvesting it is hard on the environment. Also unless the package states it 100% cypress it is likely a mixture and could contain harmful woods. Consider using coco coir chips. It can be bought relatively cheap at grow stores.

[Mother_Goddess]

I get my 100% cypress bags from Lowes but have seen it at K-Mart.

[Jim Smith]

I wonder if I buy bags from Lowes and run them through my shredder if they will be fine enough for bedding for my future BRBs? Any thoughts or recommendations...

[Albert Clark]

There are a couple other options for the 100% cypress mulch. But you will have to factor in the shipping costs. :)
1. Pangea Reptile supplies.
2. All living things
3. LLL Reptile
4. Big Apple Herp

[Minkness]

Thanks Albert! I wonder why none of these came up on my search....

[chairman]

Also, some cypress blends are okay to use. The cypress mulch that most look for is made entirely from cypress bark. Some blends include cypress bark and wood, and they can be used. The blends that use cypress and other woods shouldn't be used.

That said, cypress can be hard to find. Coco coir (eco earth) and coco coir chips (orchid bark) are good alternatives.

[RAD House]

The problem I had with cypress mixes is that even when I called the company whose name was on the label they had no idea of the make up of the mix.

[Minkness]

Soooo...If it just says cypres blend but not 'cypress and other woods' it's good?

[Albert Clark]

Thanks Albert! I wonder why none of these came up on my search....

YW...Hope you can locate some.

[pet_snake_78]

The bags I got at Walmart also said "other forest products". I used several bags of it without issue though. Cypress is great for species that like a little humidity but not cheap (understandably) if it has to be shipped. Best to stock up when you find a brand you are comfortable with.

[Minkness]

Yeah....I think I might try the stuff at home depot. It's just a little over $3 a bag. BIG difference to $30 a bag!!!

I will just watch for any issues SUPER close and be prepaired to remove it for any reason.

[toddnbecka]

I'm cheap whenever possible, but I'm not about to risk my snake's health for the sake of cheap mulch for substrate. I only change it out completely about twice yearly, rest f the time I just spot clean it, and have been wondering whether some isopods would make a good addition to clean up the poops and keep the mulch cleaner. It just doesn't make sense to buy "mystery mulch" and save a few bucks when I've got several thousand dollars worth of animals, not to mention how depressing it would be to lose so many pets.

[Minkness]

What do you use?

[pet_snake_78]

Figured I'd share this

"The 100% Cypress is not available at retailers. Bags found at home and garden centers are cypress blends – the cypress is blended with Hardwood Chips and it is not recommended for reptile use. Kambark Cypress is 100% Cypress ONLY if it has been specifically manufactured for reptile use.



We appreciate your interest in 100% Cypress. We work with MANY reptile breeders who purchase our material by the pallet. They either pick up or arrange the freight for pallets from our Rocky Mount, NC plant."

[Albert Clark]

You can also get the 100% cypress mulch at the reptile expo. They usually carry the large and extra large bags.

[pet_snake_78]

Do you usually see it at white plains and by any chance do you recall what a bag goes for? I haven't been to the last few shows but might go just to pick up a few bags if they are cheap enough.

[Tsubaki]

Well i do understand trying to find cheaper alternatives, might not be completely comparable but i do it too. They don't even sell cypress mulch here, the only 2 reptile specific beddings that are not pure sand we can buy without driving 12h+ (yearly german expo) is Reptibark & Repti forest bedding.. Which are ridiculously overpriced.. So we end up having to experiment too.. Might have 1000s of € worth of animals, if I have to spend 32,99€ for a bag of reptibark and need about 30 bags for one full change(And that's without having the final retic/burm enclosures build).. Even if only change all of it every 6 months or so.. It's still rediculous, sadly I'm not rich enough for that.. The forest bedding is cheaper but the mold issues are so annoying I might as well use Woodchips, mold just as fast but are 90% cheaper.. Since they no longer sell the un- fertilised coco fiber mulch I loved, I currently use a dust free horse bedding. I have to toss it around twice a week or mushrooms will grow.. It's 29,99€ a bag, only need 4 bags for a full change.. It's the best I've found so far, but the mushroom thing freaks me out, I have all my smaller snakes on paper towels again... If anyone has suggestions I'm listening, I can't get clean forest dirt anywhere, because this country is so overpopulated you can't dig anywhere without being seen and it's probably polluted. Sorry for the rant, spend a couple of hours yesterday to find the coconut mulch elsewhere, it's either "naturally" fertilised, or sold in small very expensive bags designed to grow cacti.. or "mixed" with God knows what. Might give peat litter another go, dislike the fine dust though.

[Albert Clark]

Do you usually see it at white plains and by any chance do you recall what a bag goes for? I haven't been to the last few shows but might go just to pick up a few bags if they are cheap enough.

Yep! Definitely seen it at White Plains and also at the Long Island Expo in the recent past. Can't quote any prices though. Also i haven't attended the past two shows at either location. I will stay on the lookout though. :)

[SerpentineDream]

Amazon has Zoo Med's Forest Floor for $16.99 in the 24 quart bag. Free 2-day shipping if you have Prime.

I've found it at Petco but it was about $25.00 for the same size bag if memory serves. Sometimes you can catch it on sale though.

[Minkness]

Thanks! I will look there. I do have prime so that could work for me. =)