Mold on the wood?

default · 06-01-16, 12:14 AM

I have a BRB, and recently bought a piece of wood from the pet store as suggested by the person there. Its "Mopani Wood".

Well, I noticed tonight theres green and white mold on it like youd get on bread.

Should I keep it out of the tank or will this be ok?

Lefitte · 06-01-16, 12:43 AM

That's exactly why I don't have any natural wood in my tank at all. Wood will mold. Some chips like cypress seem to do fine but the wood you find at petstores for climbing is generally a bad idea. I throw out anything with mold on, for me as much as my snakes because I'm allergic and have asthma so it's all bad there. I, personally, would not keep anything with mold in the tank. If you have other snakes, there might be a way to clean it up and get rid of the mold so that you can use it in a dry environment but I don't have any tips on that. Don't think green or white mold are truly harmful types of mold, but I don't like any types.

default · 06-01-16, 01:43 AM

for now, ive taken it out. from what i could google, i couldnt see an immediate issue but its still not something im just going to let stay in there.

Albert Clark · 06-01-16, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by default

for now, ive taken it out. from what i could google, i couldnt see an immediate issue but its still not something im just going to let stay in there.

Good move. Mold will act as a irritant to a reptiles respiratory tract as well. Especially moderate to large.amounts. Wood is also a attractant for mites. I don't feel safe with most wooden products in my enclosures except 100% cypress mulch.

**Andy_G** · 06-01-16, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Albert Clark

Good move. Mold will act as a irritant to a reptiles respiratory tract as well. Especially moderate to large.amounts. Wood is also a attractant for mites. I don't feel safe with most wooden products in my enclosures except 100% cypress mulch.

Just to clarify...wood will not attract snake mites, which are the ones that we must worry about...just harmless wood mites. A pest, nonetheless.

Albert Clark · 06-01-16, 09:40 AM

True that snake mites are host specific but as the females prepare to lay their eggs they do migrate to areas off the snake to deposit the eggs. Mostly those areas in a enclosure include dark, humid areas. Corners of the enclosure, wooden articles under the bark and inside wooden crevices are likely preferred places. As the eggs hatch out they travel in search of available reptiles and thats when they really become widespread.