Aspen bedding or newspaper.

I know newspaper is easy to clean and it is inexpensive but I have a huge bag of Aspen just sitting here. I use it for my rats. I know I can do it and i dont mind cleaning, But does anyone have any stories or any thoughts on why they wouldn't choose Aspen? Thanks !!!

-Mark


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I love aspen but I dont use them on my boa cages just because they are to big. They work great for tubs though because they are easy to turn over and empty them.

I had to use aspen as the other wood substrate I get was out. I felt kinda bad about it, but if anyone can provide input that would help. I hope it's ok.

You just dont want to use cedar.

I use both paper and aspen. I would choose paper any day, but my Dumeril's boa needs to burrow. Aspen is nice for a week or two, then it starts to get nasty (even with spot cleaning) it works fine of you are using an overhead heat source like a heat lamp, CHE, or RHP. But if you are using a UTH it really can become a pain since it doesn't transfer heat very well.

I have used aspen and cypress up until recently when i ordered unprinted news paper(2 weeks ago), and i will never go back. they all have there plus sides and downsides. i would say just use the aspen up since you have it. It most likely will not cause any problems unless your bp eats a huge mouthful of it. I love the look of aspen and cypress but to me the look vs the price/easiness to clean is not worth it. i still use aspens for my corn(loves to burrow) and my carpet get cypress because she's in a big display cage.
use it up and then after its gone decide do you want to order more or try something different, its all up to you.
Tom

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Originally Posted by Cameron Lamb Exotics

You just dont want to use cedar.

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Or pine. The oils can irritate the skin or even be toxic. But aspen and cypress are totally safe.

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

I use both paper and aspen. I would choose paper any day, but my Dumeril's boa needs to burrow. Aspen is nice for a week or two, then it starts to get nasty (even with spot cleaning) it works fine of you are using an overhead heat source like a heat lamp, CHE, or RHP. But if you are using a UTH it really can become a pain since it doesn't transfer heat very well.

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I so agree! I use disposable cage liners in my tubs and I'll never go back. Like Aaron, I'd only use aspen now if I had a snake that needed to burrow. I use shredded tree fern as a substrate for my GTP's natural viv, but it's a pain to clean. It's worth it for one center piece of beauty, but I'll stick to the cage liners for everyone else, lol.... :gj:

But as far as aspen or cypress, both are safe and perfectly fine to use!

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

I use both paper and aspen. I would choose paper any day, but my Dumeril's boa needs to burrow. Aspen is nice for a week or two, then it starts to get nasty (even with spot cleaning) it works fine of you are using an overhead heat source like a heat lamp, CHE, or RHP. But if you are using a UTH it really can become a pain since it doesn't transfer heat very well.

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My last bag of aspen from Pet*** came with "bonuses".

First were the mites which, although they didn't bother the snakes, made the lives of my mice and rats miserable.

Second was the weird reaction to moisture.

If it got wet at all, it turned blue and then overnight, grew some kind of weird, cotton-like fungus up the sides of the tubs.

I am sticking straight with newspaper now and my Dumerils is happily burrowing around in the special shredded newspaper I made for her with a common desktop paper shredder I had laying around.

Just fold the newspaper and run it through.

I don't know what those mites were but they bite people too.

:mad:

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Originally Posted by Salamander

My last bag of aspen from Pet*** came with "bonuses".

First were the mites which, although they didn't bother the snakes, made the lives of my mice and rats miserable.

Second was the weird reaction to moisture.

If it got wet at all, it turned blue and then overnight, grew some kind of weird, cotton-like fungus up the sides of the tubs.

I am sticking straight with newspaper now and my Dumerils is happily burrowing around in the special shredded newspaper I made for her with a common desktop paper shredder I had laying around.

Just fold the newspaper and run it through.

I don't know what those mites were but they bite people too.

:mad:

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Eugh. You should have told the store and then also contacted the manufacturer if possible. Because that is not good.

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Originally Posted by Inarikins

Eugh. You should have told the store and then also contacted the manufacturer if possible. Because that is not good.

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I will if I ever go back there again.....:D

Of course, you know they're going to try and lay the blame on me, somehow.

FWIW, the store has had an albino rat running loose that they can't seem to catch for about a year.

It tears open bags of food, shavings and everything else it can reach.

There's no telling what the level of cross-contamination is, after all this time.

My bag was sealed but mites can wiggle through any tiny crack.