substrate

[Mike Cavanaugh]

First let me say that I HATE ASPEN, and won't use it. Please work with me here, don't try to convert me to it!

Thinking about changing snake tanks to cypress mulch to help with cost and humidity.

Simple questions. Can I use debugged mulch for rat / mice substrate? Would I have any issues? Using carefresh now.

thanks,

Mike

[AdamJB]

Ive been using pine pellets normally sold as horse bedding. I like it and so far I dont smell anything, I like it so much I converted my buddys herp shop over to it!

[Ginevive]

In bedding for mammals, you want something that's going to absorb urine. I think that mulch would get pretty icky after being peed on..
I too use the pine pellets. They are great in the odor-control department.. they last almost ridiculously long in between cleanings. I would not use pine for snake bedding at all though.. I'd be worried about the residual oils in it affecting their skin and sheddings.

[SatanicIntention]

I found your comment funny Gin. You don't want the pine affecting the snakes' skin, but you don't mind if the rodents they eat are covered in it. It's just backwards thinking.

I personally use aspen or newspaper pellets for the rats and kiln dred pine pellets for the mice.

You CANNOT use mulch for rodents, the humidity will be too high and that will cause alot of health problems. I personally abhor carefresh as it does not control odors whatsoever and it is extremely dusty. Try Yesterday's News or Aspen pellets. Anything with low dust, that is absorbant, and isn't un-kiln-dried pine or cedar or mulch of some sort. Oh, and no cat litter..

[Mike Cavanaugh]

Thanks Becky!!!! Your answer is why I asked. I will take your advice, and not use mulch!