Cypress mulch vs. Newspaper

[Slither4]

I'm currently awaiting for a new rack system to put my snakes into so as I'm patiently awaiting my shipment (boaphile ), I'm trying to figure out which bedding should I use.

I currently have my snakes on cypress mulch and I don't seem to have any issues with my humidity but I have heard of the mulch containing mites. Also cleaning out the cages seems to take up some time. I know many people with racks use the newspaper method.

I'm just curious what's you guys take on it, should I stick with the cypress or make the change to newspaper? I would like to hear pros and cons or your opinion on both sides.

Thanks

[RobNJ]

Use what you like...I use paper towels. Cypess mulch should not contain snake mites, but I guess it can. I have heard that it is not uncommon for cypress to have wood mites, which won't touch your snakes.

[h00blah]

i started on aspen and when i switched to paper towels it wasn't hard either. the only difference to me is that with the aspen, i would spot clean, and change everything probably once a month..... with paper towels, as soon as there's a rodent blood, or little potty/poopy (normally they're together), i have to replace the paper towels.. If the snake is in shed, and they defecate, i replace the paper towel, and then spray it once or twice with warm water to boost that humidity, and let it last a bit.

i go through a lot of paper towels lol. and quality of the paper towel doesn't matter too much for me since they'll be removed anyways

[Slither4]

Yeah the biggest issue I think I would have would be the humidity if I do decide to switch, since I'm so use to the cypress. If I do decide to switch to newspaper/paper towels how often should you typically mist? To keep the humidty up, I know it would be more often during their shed.

[RobNJ]

Yeah the biggest issue I think I would have would be the humidity if I do decide to switch, since I'm so use to the cypress. If I do decide to switch to newspaper/paper towels how often should you typically mist? To keep the humidty up, I know it would be more often during their shed.

That would depend...I rarely ever mist. I get a little stuck shed every once in a while, but other than that my humidity levels stay fine. If I ever need to mist, it's in the winter.

[decensored]

i like cocohusk

[tcutting]

i have been using cypress for 8 years since i got my first BP. and never had mites. not sure where you heard that info from but i havent heard of cypress ever carrying mites. anyone else hear of it?

[EvergladesExotics]

I have used both paper and cypress and I'm cypress all the way. Its so hard for me to keep the humidity up with papertowels/newspaper even though I am in south FL (doesnt really matter where you live if your snakes are kept inside). I've never witnessed mites in the cypress I get from Home Depot. Cypress has a natural insect repellant and mold/fungus repellant so in my opinion it makes one of the best substrates for a humid environment. However, even if you do get a batch with wood mites, they wont bother your snake. Spot cleaning it is easy and one of my favorite things about it... its CHEAP! $2 a bag Another big plus for me is the severely reduced spillage of water bowls. It's amazing how just 2 inches of the cypress will keep the bowls from tipping all over the friggin place lol. One more thing.. my snakes like it better. They can dig to the bottom of the tub to create a nice nest/bed place. About half of mine do this, and no, it's not always on the hot spot either so its not because theyre cold. I think it feels more natural to them to have a substrate surround them. Happy snakes mean happy me. Hope that helps a bit

[Slither4]

@Decensored
Yeah I heard that cocohusk and cypress isn't all that bad as well.

@tcutting
I was watching a snakebytes episode when he talks about substrate and he mentioned getting a mite outbreak from cypress. But I never had an issue with it either and personally I do like it.

@miamiroyalpythons
Yeah I notice my snakes seem to like to burrow in it as well. But yea thanx for your input. I am actually satisfied with cypress just after watching that episode its kinda put the thought of mites in my head.

[EvergladesExotics]

I watch snakebytes as well but I dont remember that episode. I would like to see it, do you know which one it was? Was it an outbreak of snake mites or wood mites?