Substrate

[Blueeheeler]

:D I have a question about substate, I have resently bought some oh poo I can't remember the correct name but it is Canadian Moss. Any way I was wondering on the pretreatment for this before I put it in the cage. Is there something I need to do to it before I put in my tank? Just thinking about the possability of bugs and what not. Thanks, Jamie

[Linds]

If you are worried you can try putting it in some water (so it doesn't bake ;)) and zap it in the microwave or boil it on the stove, or you can bake it in the oven as well, but for moss I find the microwave to be the best :)

The worst stuff youw ill probably find in moss are wood mites, which are totally harmless anyways. I used to zap anything natural before using it but, though I don't use much natural stuff anymore, I don't really treat it and haven't encountered any subsequent problems.

[Blueeheeler]

Wood mites do are not the kind of mites everyone is talking about when they find them on their snakes? If so then what kind of mites do snakes get? Silly ? I know but this is all new to me!!!!!

[Big Mike]

I don't know the specific name of them but I think they are reptile specific parasites. They only live off of snakes and/or other reptiles. I don't know where they come from but they do get around. Wild caught snakes will have them and a lot of pet stores are bad for having infested snakes.

With a little precaution and some common sence you can keep your snake collection free of mites.

[Lisa]

We spray our substrate for mite control when changing/setting up a new tank. we're not using moss though, just astroturf, cypress mulch and aspen shavings.

[Linds]

Snakes can be affected by ticks (larger than mites - attach themself under a scale and suck blood) and snake mites (usually dark red or black coloured). Wood mites are harmless and no need for worry. If you are buying your sphagnum moss (or any substrate) at a store then you may want to be careful and use extra preventative measures against them. Snake mites are host specific (they live on the snake only, not lizards or people, etc), but they can travel (up to 13' in one day!). Hope this helped ;)