Alarmed by Zoomed Forest Floor's reviews

[afsgr88]

Hey guys!

So, I am looking for a substrate that helps hold humidity in my burm's enclosure. I did some research and came to the conclusion that Zoomed Forest Floor would be a good solution for that, so I ordered it.

However, I have been reading a few reviews where some people complain that this specific brand of substrate usually comes with all sorts of bugs, including mites, and some of these people got infestations in their enclosures as a result. They also said that at first, when they analyzed the substrate, they saw nothing out of the ordinary. They olny noticed the bugs after a few days of putting the bedding in the enclosure.

Does anyone here have any experience with this substrate? Should I risk it?

Thanks!

[Albert Clark]

These unsubstantiated reports of mites in ZooMed forest floor is rather perplexing. I have been using it for years and can say unequivocally that I have never seen or had a mite infestation that came from a bag of cypress mulch. Actually the cypress oils in the mulch is a repellant to mites and they avoid it. That of course is if you are using the 100% cypress mulch which is what ZooMed Forest floor is. These reports of mites in the product may be a different cypress mulch, such as the cheaper cypress mulch blends sold by Home Depot or Lowes. Maybe these reports are from people who realized they had mites but are mistaken the source or possibly they already had a mite issue.

[Andy_G]

Snake mites won't come with the bedding. They can however invade the bag if stored near a snake infected and hitch a ride, but as Albert said, it's highly unlikely and usually people already have mites and don't notice it in time. The fact that it may come with other tiny harmless bugs really shouldn't deter you as they're harmless and die off quickly.

[afsgr88]

These unsubstantiated reports of mites in ZooMed forest floor is rather perplexing. I have been using it for years and can say unequivocally that I have never seen or had a mite infestation that came from a bag of cypress mulch. Actually the cypress oils in the mulch is a repellant to mites and they avoid it. That of course is if you are using the 100% cypress mulch which is what ZooMed Forest floor is. These reports of mites in the product may be a different cypress mulch, such as the cheaper cypress mulch blends sold by Home Depot or Lowes.

That was also my first thought, but since I have no experience with this brand, I thought it would be better to ask. Actually, the negative reviews I read were mostly posted by "customers" at the Amazon website...and I know for a fact that some people are paid to bash on a product due to brand rivalry and stuff. But you never know :confused: Thanks for your answer Albert:)

[eminart]

I've found that about half of online reviews are from people that aren't mentally capable of reviewing anything.

I wouldn't worry until you see a problem in your own use of it.

[afsgr88]

Alright, I am convinced! :D Thanks everyone!

[Skipper7]

Can you bake it to be sure? Or will this ruin its ability to hold moisture?

Sorry to hijack the thread.

[afsgr88]

Can you bake it to be sure? Or will this ruin its ability to hold moisture?

Sorry to hijack the thread.

I believe baking wouldn't be a problem, actually, at least when it comes to holding humidity. I was trying to avoid it though...I heard cypress mulch has quite a strong smell when baked :rolleyes:

You think I should try it, to be safe?

[jay's reptiles]

Hey guys!

So, I am looking for a substrate that helps hold humidity in my burm's enclosure. I did some research and came to the conclusion that Zoomed Forest Floor would be a good solution for that, so I ordered it.

However, I have been reading a few reviews where some people complain that this specific brand of substrate usually comes with all sorts of bugs, including mites, and some of these people got infestations in their enclosures as a result. They also said that at first, when they analyzed the substrate, they saw nothing out of the ordinary. They olny noticed the bugs after a few days of putting the bedding in the enclosure.

Does anyone here have any experience with this substrate? Should I risk it?

Thanks!

If you are worried about mites you can put the substrate in the freezer and freeze the bugs to death or cook the substrate in the oven or microwave.

[GyGbeetle]

If you are worried about mites you can put the substrate in the freezer and freeze the bugs to death or cook the substrate in the oven or microwave.

What about treating the substrate with Nix before putting it in the enclosure?

[Andy_G]

Nix is not very effective on loose substrate. Baking is also not really necessary. I'd be using the freezer if anything.

[jay's reptiles]

Nix is not very effective on loose substrate. Baking is also not really necessary. I'd be using the freezer if anything.

Yeah i like to freeze it. I just heard of people cooking as well.

[Albert Clark]

One of the most effective ways to reduce and or eliminate the possibility of a snake mite issue is to immediately remove any and all waste product. Urine, urates, stool whether large or small, any leftover blood smears from feedings. Clean it up as soon as you see it, wipe down the area where the waste product was laid also helps. With new animals into your collection is to do a proper quarantining period.

[akane]

Did they specifically ID snake mites or could they just running into soil and other spider mites? Soil mites can come from anywhere so are even less likely to be the original manufacturer, feed on organic matter in the substrate, and in an unbalanced setup with no competition or predation because no other small soil critters were added they can go crazy. They will coat everything in swiftly running bugs. They don't bite but are extremely irritating. I've also had large clover mites come in on hay and lead to small mammals scratching to the point one died of the severity of skin infection. There are some other mites that will bite that aren't snake mites but most things that will bite require a specific host to feed on. Even without their host I've had horrible explosions of rodent and poultry mites from outside sources before that can take a long time to kill off and will bite people and animals so bad it feels like you got stung by something while they starve to death slowly without their ideal host. Any of those mites might run their course in a few months if you can stand to wait them out but if they are a type that can feed on the substrate or any wood decor you either have to go toward the bioactive side and balance with other insects or sterilize things over again with baking. Most survive freezing.

[Ebolling]

If youre that worried just toss the bag of mulch in the freezer for a few hours. (i had to do this with some cheaper cypress blends to insure no bugs)

[akane]

Like I said soil mites and other spider mites will survive freezing. They live here without burrowing deep enough to get below the frost line and it can get -30F. You can chip off frozen soil and thaw it to find it full of mites. If there are snake mites native to here I imagine they survive somehow too, some things just lay eggs to hatch after it warms up, but maybe there aren't any native species of that parasite.

[afsgr88]

So guys....after getting the bedding in the mail and analyzing it, there were no bugs that I could see, so I decided to put it in the enclosure. It has been almost 48h and nothing happened yet. It holds the humidity quite well, and there are no bugs/mites/eggs/godzillas to be seen! xD I am really happy with this bedding and will for sure purchase it again! Thank you all for your time and help :)

[Andy_G]

Just a note...snake mites don't occur in Canada because of freezing temperatures as they are tropical.

[GyGbeetle]

Like I said soil mites and other spider mites will survive freezing. They live here without burrowing deep enough to get below the frost line and it can get -30F. You can chip off frozen soil and thaw it to find it full of mites. If there are snake mites native to here I imagine they survive somehow too, some things just lay eggs to hatch after it warms up, but maybe there aren't any native species of that parasite.

spider mites? SPIDER MITES??? I'm so afraid of spiders! I buy this stuff, and now I'm terrified.

[afsgr88]

spider mites? SPIDER MITES??? I'm so afraid of spiders! I buy this stuff, and now I'm terrified.

Relax, the bedding is fine, and I believe that the people who reviewed any kind of mites/bugs on this product just probably bought it from a store that kept it for way longer than it should, in not so good conditions. I put the bedding in the enclosure and even with the humidity, no bugs are visible :)