(second post, accidentally posted under wrong category)
I only have to get a substrate and an UTH w/ thermostat and my habitat will be ready for a snake, but I'm getting a lot of contradicting information on substrates. These are the most frequent pros and cons I've seen from each type on amazon.com:
(This is the order of my favorites from most likely to use to least):
Cypress - good for humidity, but seems to frequently have bugs
Eco earth coco fiber- good for humidity, seems to have bugs, molds, people reporting snakes eating it (I'm assuming they eat what is stuck to prey...)
Aspen - easy to clean, doesn't hold humidity well, molds, bugs
reptile carpet - no humidity control , dye comes off if wet, chemical odor, washable
Paper towel - easy to clean, no bugs, not as nice for a display cage
So, is there a way to freeze or bake off any mites/bugs/molds with the cypress mulch or Eco earth, as these are the two that I would prefer to use? I want to do what is best for the (eventual) snake.
SORRY FOR THE DUPLICATE THREAD