treat moss before using

[Noek]

well it's time again, my normal bp is getting ready to go into shed and it's moss time. Last time I used moss in a small container and I kept the moss moist, however, I noticed mites several days after. Obviously I suspect it came from the moss.

Can moss be treated with PAM and then used with water? Will the water bring the vapors back out? Thanks!

[Ringo]

If it is going into a container then I would just use damp paper towels. I used moss at first but I noticed it molds very fast. Thats when I switched to paper towels. I put them inside his caves and keeps it nice and moist. As far as treating the moss im not really sure. Fortunately I have yet to have mite problems but maybe someone will post something soon to answer that question. My advice is to just use paper towels then you will not have that problem.

[Reptilian]

I'd suggest going with paper towels as well. They're cheaper than moss and such. I guess if you really wanted to use the moss you could *try* baking it. A low temp for 10-20 minutes. I've never used moss, have never had to bake it, and don't know if it will last the heat. I wouldn't use PAM to treat it, I'd be worried there would be residue on it still.

[Noek]

paper towels it is, great advice and it seems to be working fairly well

[bearhart]

I use paper towels as well. I don't bother with putting them in the hide though. I just take several paper towels, wet them down, and make one or two base-ball sized wads. I place those wads in a warm spot in the tank and re-wet them as needed. I find that makes it easy to keep the humidity around 70% and you don't have to muck with the snake's personal space.