Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Is it any good to use as a substrate? I know its naturally bug repelling but should I be worried about mites with it?

thanks!

We use cypress with all our balls and it works perfect!

Not a bad idea to treat it with prevent-a-mite or black night when you get it, just to be safe, just make sure it is not wet when you do.

We leave it outside for a few days this time a year and it freezes solid so it kills any bugs.
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J&J REPTILES
www.jnjreptiles.com
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So if I got PAM how much would I need to spray on it? Enough to leave it damp? Less than that? Would I wait until it was completely dry before putting it in the snakes tubs? I also heard some people put it in the oven, is this true? If so for how long and on what temp?

sorry about all the ?'s. I usually use newspaper but I'd like to try something else for them

Read and follow the directions on the can.
Link

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don't cook it

freezing it will not kill all the bugs

the bugs won't hurt anything

mites breed in it but they would have to have come from your snakes first not to the snakes from the mulch

....use it......dampen it after it dries out........and watch for cedar mixed cypress?......

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we have used cypress for many years, it is a great substrate, lots of uses.

the "mites" that may be present would be substrate mites, gnats, or other bugs. they are not a danger to your animal, but can be a nuisance. if you get your cypress from a reputable source, it should be clean. perhaps 1 in 100 bags that i see have gnats or bugs.

if you don't see bugs in the substrate, there is no need to treat it.
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robyn@proexotics.com

Pro Exotics Reptiles

I've been thinking i'd go the cypress route as well---

do those of you that use cypress feed your snakes on the cypress? or do you remove them and feed them in a seperate container?

thanks

beth
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The rescue site: www.freewebs.com/okreptilerescue

Feed on the cypress. I doubt in the wild they find a nice clean tub to go eat in.
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"Polysyllabism in no way insures that what you're saying is actually worth being heard." - Blake (an e-friend of mine)

"I have never made but one prayer to god, a very short one: "O lord, make my enemies ridiculous." And he granted it." - Voltaire

I have my BP & boa on a cypress/peat mix and its the greatest. I do feed both on thier substrate and have had no ill effects, I also keep an eye on them while they eat so they don't ingest too much. i wouldn't worry about a small piece here & there though.

we always feed in the cage.
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robyn@proexotics.com

Pro Exotics Reptiles

Everyone cleared it up for You about the mites,and at 4 dollars a bag how can You go wronge. I;ve seen many selling it at outlandish prieces,so shop around. You can smell the multch that has ceder in it.

Van
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=288590239

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Forever Trust in what we are,and nothing else Matters

what is an "outlandish" price?

it is available for $1 a bag in Florida, yet the further west you go, the harder it is to find, and the more expensive it gets.

i can find it at ONE spot here in Colorado. it ain't a buck a bag. in California? forget it altogether.

it is NOT available for $3 at "every WalMart in the country".

it is all relative.
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robyn@proexotics.com

Pro Exotics Reptiles

for the great info! You all helped me with what I needed to know.

I think I will give the cypress a try