A substrate idea?

My substrate is driving me nuts.

I have been using an Aspen and Desert Snow mix. Both seem to be working just fine, but they are driving me crazy! Clumsy me always ends up with little aspen shavings all over me, the carpet, the table and everywhere else I don't want it. I am tired of cleaning up shavings from the house.

People have made the suggestion for butcher paper or paper towels, but my picky BP will have none of it! I have tried both, and Belladonna will pull up and crumple what she can and acts stressed (won't hide, ect.) It isn't a good scene.

I am thinking of breaking down and buying ReptiCarpet for her, and I suppose if I have two sheets and cycle them weekly they won't get too nasty... but I had an idea first.

What do you guys think of using a paper based litter like Yesterday's News? Obviously nothing clay or with any chemicals or perfumes - but a simple paper pellet litter... has anyone tried such a thing? What are your ideas? I ask because I buy it in bulk already for my ferrets.

Some people use shredded paper. So it will act like paper but look and seem like aspen bedding to your snake. Just a suggestion.

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Originally Posted by MitsuMike

Some people use shredded paper. So it will act like paper but look and seem like aspen bedding to your snake. Just a suggestion.

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That is a tempting idea. The only reason why I was thinking of the litter is that I have probably 150lbs on me at all times because I use it for my ferrets and I buy it in bulk.

Carefresh might work.

I use cypress for mine like I do with my colubrid....but I rather wish I hadn't. It's very insulating.

I use eco-earth expandable dirt, you put it in a bucket of water and it will expand enough for a 40 gallon breeder tank. It is not too messey, and it will hold humidity very well. I did not like the repticarpet as it is terrible for humidity, and I have always had stuck sheds, but I always had that problem with aspen too. I guess it is all about personal preference, and what you can make work for you.

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Originally Posted by bsash

I use eco-earth expandable dirt, you put it in a bucket of water and it will expand enough for a 40 gallon breeder tank. It is not too messey, and it will hold humidity very well. I did not like the repticarpet as it is terrible for humidity, and I have always had stuck sheds, but I always had that problem with aspen too. I guess it is all about personal preference, and what you can make work for you.

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Luckly (or unluckily) for me, I keep a humidifier blazing in my room at all times for me - so I never have issues with humidity in her tank. :)

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Originally Posted by CopperNightShade

Luckly (or unluckily) for me, I keep a humidifier blazing in my room at all times for me - so I never have issues with humidity in her tank. :)

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Well, then if you use the eco-earth you might over do the humidity and make your snake sick. I guess you could go with the reptile carpet, my only issue was with the humidity, and if you misted it to keep it good it would grow mold. Other than that, if you humidifier keeps your snake enclosure good, you should not have any worries. Just buy two carpets so when one is dirty, you don't have to wait for it to dry in order to use it again.

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Originally Posted by Seru1

Carefresh might work.

I use cypress for mine like I do with my colubrid....but I rather wish I hadn't. It's very insulating.

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carefresh is very dusty and often causes respiratory issues.

When you tried paper towel or newspaper, how long did you leave the substrate in before deciding your snake "didn't like it". It can take them up to two weeks to adjust to any change you make in their environment.

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

carefresh is very dusty and often causes respiratory issues.

When you tried paper towel or newspaper, how long did you leave the substrate in before deciding your snake "didn't like it". It can take them up to two weeks to adjust to any change you make in their environment.

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I gave her about a week. I didn't want to overdo it, she was pacing and whatnot. It didn't seem very good of me to leave her like that.

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Originally Posted by bsash

Well, then if you use the eco-earth you might over do the humidity and make your snake sick. I guess you could go with the reptile carpet, my only issue was with the humidity, and if you misted it to keep it good it would grow mold. Other than that, if you humidifier keeps your snake enclosure good, you should not have any worries. Just buy two carpets so when one is dirty, you don't have to wait for it to dry in order to use it again.

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That is probably what I will do. Hopefully the little picky girl won't mind it! :D So as far as the reptile carpet, would a weekly change/cleaning keep away any mold issued, you suppose?

I use Healthy Pet "Dust-Free" bedding for some of my snakes. It's made of these small, spherical shaped cellulose fiber pellets. I think it's considered cat litter, but it's good for many other pets.

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Originally Posted by CopperNightShade

That is probably what I will do. Hopefully the little picky girl won't mind it! :D So as far as the reptile carpet, would a weekly change/cleaning keep away any mold issued, you suppose?

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It will keep away the mold, but eventually it will start to stink no matter how much you wash it. If it stinks, it means bacteria is growing in it.

I would personally never use reptile carpet.

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Originally Posted by CopperNightShade

That is probably what I will do. Hopefully the little picky girl won't mind it! :D So as far as the reptile carpet, would a weekly change/cleaning keep away any mold issued, you suppose?

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It shouldn't get moldy if you don't wet it. But you would need to clean it after the snake poops on it, and either line dry it if you live in a warm area or put it in a dryer.

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

It will keep away the mold, but eventually it will start to stink no matter how much you wash it. If it stinks, it means bacteria is growing in it.

I would personally never use reptile carpet.

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I have every intention of cleaning it with Hibiclins, and if a bacteria can survive that I have bigger concerns than stink. :)

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Originally Posted by 4theSNAKElady

I use Healthy Pet "Dust-Free" bedding for some of my snakes. It's made of these small, spherical shaped cellulose fiber pellets. I think it's considered cat litter, but it's good for many other pets.

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So you don't have problems using it? Sweet, maybe I can try my idea out. :D