Mulch question

Slcburm · 07-06-12, 04:15 PM

When I bought mulch for my Burm when he was a baby I had mites. Went through the whole process of getting rid of them etc. Well now I want to add mulch again to use as bedding to keep his humidity up. Is there a way to pre treat it for mites or should I just trust the bags I buy and use them

thanks

infernalis · 07-06-12, 05:20 PM

There are no snake mites in mulch.

Wood mites do not attack reptiles.

BarelyBreathing · 07-06-12, 05:46 PM

I wouldn't add mulch at all. Garden mulch can have chemicals that can hurt your snake. Go with cypress reptile bedding instead.

moshirimon · 07-06-12, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by infernalis

There are no snake mites in mulch.

Wood mites do not attack reptiles.

True but i've had woodmites before too. They still do crawl on you're snake here and there. I'd have to say that i'd still prefer no mites, even if it's not affecting the snake.

Slcburm · 07-06-12, 07:32 PM

cypress is what i meant...my bad

BarelyBreathing · 07-06-12, 07:35 PM

It's okay. A lot of reptile specific companies call it "cypress mulch", which is a term for a garden fertilizer. That leads reptile keepers to see cypress mulch for much cheaper in garden stores and think it's okay to give this to their reptiles. They then wonder why their reptiles get ill. The fault is really with the companies passing off cypress bedding as "mulch".

StudentoReptile · 07-06-12, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarelyBreathing

It's okay. A lot of reptile specific companies call it "cypress mulch", which is a term for a garden fertilizer. That leads reptile keepers to see cypress mulch for much cheaper in garden stores and think it's okay to give this to their reptiles. They then wonder why their reptiles get ill. The fault is really with the companies passing off cypress bedding as "mulch".

I use the "cheap" stuff and have been for several years. Many keepers I know do the same; tortoise keepers, snake keepers, lizard keepers, all across the board. I have not heard of any issues with this practice.

I'm not trying to be obtuse or argumentative, but can you provide any specific examples of health problems in reptiles directly caused by using the cheap organic cypress mulch from a home supply store or garden center? I ask because I would very interested if there are indeed issues with a product I currently use.
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LOL...on a similar note, though: it has been my experience and observations through the years that more issues arise from bedding/substrate sold exclusively for reptiles (Ex: calci-sand, repti-bark, cage carpet, aspen, etc.) than any product not sold for them (Ex: paper towels, newspaper, cypress mulch, slate tiles, etc.)

Wildside · 07-06-12, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StudentoReptile

I use the "cheap" stuff and have been for several years. Many keepers I know do the same; tortoise keepers, snake keepers, lizard keepers, all across the board. I have not heard of any issues with this practice.

I'm not trying to be obtuse or argumentative, but can you provide any specific examples of health problems in reptiles directly caused by using the cheap organic cypress mulch from a home supply store or garden center? I ask because I would very interested if there are indeed issues with a product I currently use.
-----
LOL...on a similar note, though: it has been my experience and observations through the years that more issues arise from bedding/substrate sold exclusively for reptiles (Ex: calci-sand, repti-bark, cage carpet, aspen, etc.) than any product not sold for them (Ex: paper towels, newspaper, cypress mulch, slate tiles, etc.)

Agreed! I give the bedding a thorough rinse in hot water, but I have two cool tricks for mite prevention. Bird protectors and of course when I clean cages I give everything, including the snake, a good dousing with an Ivomec solution. You can get the bird protectors at Wal-mart and the Ivomec at most any feed store. The dilution for the Ivomec is 1cc per 32 oz. If you go with the cheaper "Iver-on" then use 2cc's. As for the bird protector, just peel the sticker off and set it in the cage.

*One little observation I've made about mites is they are kinda like fleas.The larvae tend to lay dormant at times and then resurface with things the season change or added movement in the enclosure.

BarelyBreathing · 07-06-12, 09:14 PM

No, I wasn't talking about organic mulch. I was talking abou the ones with chemicals in them. That's why I said "garden mulch can have chemicals". I have not been able to find true organic mulch where I live for cheap. The stuff I can get that's true organic is about the same price as the reptile bedding.

And yes, I agree that a lot of those beddings are horrible.