cypress mulch from "Ace Hardware" store

[DeesBalls]

is this okay to use? its just cypress multch from ACE- a local hardware store here where i live.... to be safe, i was going to cook it in oven to kill anything it may have, but i cant afford to keep getting big bags of mulch from pet stores for like $20 a bag (big bag)...

if i do cook in oven - how long/what temp? lol

[Little Wise Owl]

Is there a way to find out if it's pure 100% cypress? Many times it's mixed with other mulch (could include pine or cedar)

[KORBIN5895]

Have you checked online? I found a place selling condensed blocks of cocohusk ridiculously cheap. I just can't remember where.....

[infernalis]

I shop on ebay, if you look, there are places that sell substrates cheap.

Also, why bake???

Please don't say to kill germs.

There's more germs in that dead mouse you are feeding than some mulch is going to have in it.

[Jendee]

lol ^^^ good point!! I use aspen from the feed store lol "stall bedding" I don't worry about backing but I do spray with nix mix. then I use newspaper for breeding so no aspen gets pulled up in hemiphenes boiling/baking is a pain if ur worry about critters spray it down with a critter killer =)

[RandyRhoads]

Are you talking about Scotts wood mulch?

[DeesBalls]

it is just called "cypress mulch" ill try and snap a pic so you can see the bag-

so for the baking of it, for personal reasons i just feel better before i put anything in my snakes cage that im not %100 sure where it came from--- like bedding from petco or a reptile show, i trust, but from a hardware store, or lowes- not so much... its prolly silly to do, but its just somthing i like to do (makes me feel better)

ill see if it is 100 percent cyrpess and will go from there---

i have some mite stuff i made up over a year ago that i keep around- (was recommended off youtube from a member here) is that still okay to use? or should i get new?

[Gungirl]

Baking something from a reptile shop or petco would be a better Idea. Those are the places you will get mites in the bedding. Places like the hardware store don't have other snakes around so there is no way to get mites in the mulch.

The baking it will do nothing if it is chemically treated, baking will only kill off some small critters and stuff of that sorts. A lot of companies spray their mulch with stuff to help retain color. This chemical can cause damage to your reptile in the long run. Make sure whatever you buy is untreated.

[DeesBalls]

so i want untreated, 100 percent cypress?

[SpOoKy]

Yes, untreated and 100% cypress

[Jendee]

the spray mix has a shelf life the sun light actually damages it

[DeesBalls]

Thanks everyone- i have to do some cleaning/organizing tomorrow i the basement, so i will check it out.