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What do you guys used to control insect on your substrate, I used an indoor set up with Cypres Mulch as a substrate I just changed 2 momths ago and it is full of litte insects I keep three adult redfoot in this set up that is pretty large for them

I've never had insects in my substrate, probably because I never
used cypress mulch which can come with it's own complimentary
insects right from the store. I changed the substrate in my
8X6 enclosure when I had one inside, completely every week,
besides cleaning as needed daily, usually right away in the
morning after he went. I can't imagine having 3 adult redfoots
inside and changing it every few months. I think you'd have
to be more proactive. Sounds more like a weekly substrate
would be more suitable with that many animals. Even if I had
redfoots, I'd never use cypress mulch in my house.

I use Cypress mulch for my Redfoot. I always microwave
all of the mulch for 3 minutes before adding it to the
enclosure. Make sure you let it cool completely before
adding the tortoise. I have never had a problem with
any mites or bugs this way.

Hope this helps
Linda

I forgot about that method. I wonder how much trouble that
would be to microwave that amount for a large enclosure.

yeah thats my problem I used too much cypress fro my 3 adults redfoot to changed every week or to microwave it, and of course I cleaned my enclosure every day as needed

I bake all the substrate that goes into my enclosure (fir bark and spaghnum moss).
I moisten it well, put it in a big, single use roasting pan, cover with aluminum foil with holes punched in, and bake at 350 degree F for one hour. Took me about 20 hours of baking last time I filled the enclosure.
I have only 3 almost one year olds and a 4 year old redfoot. All of them poop into the bath, that I give every two days to the babies and every 4-5 days to the 4 year old. Thus my enclosure stays very clean and a weekly substrate change is definitely not necessary.
Do you know which bugs you are having? Springtails are very common and I feel, that they are simply around the house, because I still get them from time to time, even with the baking.
They are very small (like a coma) and look whitish, run fast and can jump. You will find them especially on the surface of the water in the waterdish.
If you are dealing with these, they are probably not nice to have, but they do not harm plants or animals in any way.
I have also found, that they show up about 3 weeks after I put a new batch of substrate, have a peak, and them almost disappear completely again.
Hope that helps, Gaby

Yeap those are the one that have in all over my enclosure and is not easy to replace all that substrate I have about 8 to 10 big bags of cypree mulch, and yes big bags the ones you buy in Lowes, Wall-Mart or Home Depot

I don't have problems with insects from the Cypress mulch of my redfoot, but I did have a big problem with escaped crickets in my reptile room. I release and anole and house gecko and they are doing a great job of keeping the cricket population under control.

It might help to say what the bugs look like. Easiest answer is to replace the substrate though.