For those that use aspen

I hVe been buying aspen shavings at the pet store because the price is good and it lasts a long time. The "snake/reptile" aspen is very expensive. I think the chips would be better but I am not paying that much. Not bad if you only have one but even then it's overpriced.

Is there any aspen at Home Depots etc.? I haven't looked yet but thought I would see what peoples thoughts are on shavings vs chips and where you buy yours.

Note: I live in northern Ontario, Canada and have only a couple small pet stores and a Home Depot. Next city is 3 hours away. I still want to hear your answers even if they don't work for me others may benefit.




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I use the harlan teklad lab bedding (nicely shredded aspen), ~$20 US for a 4.3 cubic ft bag. I know there are a few people who supply it on ebay, but I'm not sure if they ship to Canada.

Farm supply stores usually have bulk bags of shredded aspen. I don't know if you'd have them where you are. They are common here in Michigan.

You must live pretty far up there then?


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I get concerned when people complain about basic prices for bedding and lights etc.. What happens if your snake gets sick? If aspen is a problem then re consider having pets maybe,unless u have a bunch of snakes that's different..if only 2-3 ,price of bedding shouldn't be an issue...

I buy the Harlan Teklad large bag. I pick it up for less than $20, but even at $20 it's still a great price compared to retail pet store prices. Why pay more for less?

Do you have any type of store like Tractor Supply? If you do they likely will sell aspen.

I use "small animal" bedding from dr. foster and smith, it's nice shredded aspen about $5 a bag, I think they are 5 pound bags and as I only have two snakes it lasts me quite a while. I already order a bunch of fish supplies from them so it's just easier to throw it on an order, locally there's only the cheap chunky type bedding that I don't like.

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Originally Posted by NYHC4LIFE8899

I get concerned when people complain about basic prices for bedding and lights etc.. What happens if your snake gets sick? If aspen is a problem then re consider having pets maybe,unless u have a bunch of snakes that's different..if only 2-3 ,price of bedding shouldn't be an issue...

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If you can get something that provides the same results for less money why would you not. I dont blame anyone for trying to find ways to save a little bit of money, this can be an expensive hobby at times. More money saved on things like bedding leaves more money for things like you mentioned (vet bills etc...)

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Originally Posted by NYHC4LIFE8899

I get concerned when people complain about basic prices for bedding and lights etc.. What happens if your snake gets sick? If aspen is a problem then re consider having pets maybe,unless u have a bunch of snakes that's different..if only 2-3 ,price of bedding shouldn't be an issue...

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Look man. I have lots in the bank but $30 for a tiny bag of aspen is BS. One bag is one 41 QT tub. I like to hangs substrate twice a month. Even at once a month that is nuts when you have a rack. the $15 bag of shredded lasts me 12 changes and spot cleaning. I was just wondering if others like shredded or chipped aspen and where they pick up theirs. Personally I like the shredded aspen but I wonder if the chipped in better in any way?

No need for concern. I have no issue driving my pets hours away to a good vet because we don't have one here. When the time comes I am prepared. I don't want to come off sounding like I can't afford substrate I just don't want to be overcharged because it has a picture of a snake in the bag. I refuse to be charged that much for a picture.


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Originally Posted by NYHC4LIFE8899

I get concerned when people complain about basic prices for bedding and lights etc.. What happens if your snake gets sick? If aspen is a problem then re consider having pets maybe,unless u have a bunch of snakes that's different..if only 2-3 ,price of bedding shouldn't be an issue...

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Unless you're one of the major players who can (and do) pay in the 6 figures for the latest and greatest morph, the main cost of these animals isn't buying the snakes themselves it's feeding them and housing them year after year. And if you're overpaying for something basic like bedding it's going to add up very quickly.

OP, if you have a farm supply store in town they might be able to special order bulk bags of aspen as well. Many of the big feed producers have lab supply divisions, so they might be able to order you some of their brand of aspen with the feed shipment so you don't have to pay the shipping cost.

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Originally Posted by dillymann

You must live pretty far up there then?


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Yup. I live in Timmins. 9 hours north of Toronto. Sudbury is where we god shopping for clothes and stuff because they are bigger and have way more stores. Sudbury is 3 hours away though.




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I am going to look into a farm supply just to see what they have. Thanks!

So the shredded stuff I have to pretty fluffy. Is chipped better better? It probably doesn't matter.


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any bedding that is more expensive by weight than the giant sacks of rice you can get at a chinese food market is nonsense. <--- my opinion. if bedding by weight costs more than nutritional food that is fit for human consumption, something just cannot be right.

some stuff is just too overpriced, and i would rather invest in good food and an excellent thermostat and good enclosures than to lose money on overpriced bedding. there always is newspaper after all and its virtually free.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

buy 2 of these it ships for free

Shipping isn't free in canada though. But still not too bad.
Shipping is $25 from amazon.ca. If I order from .com I will get nailed across the border for brokerage fees.

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i see that sucks

Right now I am totally happy with shredded and the cost is great. Just wouldn't mind finding bigger bags. $15 a month for 6 tubs is pretty damn good. No real complaints.

The stuff I use is Pastel Easy Clean Aspen bedding. It is from Pet Valu.


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Originally Posted by whispersinmyhead

So the shredded stuff I have to pretty fluffy. Is chipped better better? It probably doesn't matter.

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It doesn't matter no. Some people like fluffy, some like chipped, some like paper. And a percentage of those people will argue to the death about why their method is best. As long as the snake is healthy and happy, and you like the substrate you're good.

I actually really liked paper towel until they had a good pee and I was at work for 12 hours. Now back to aspen. Also my humidity keeps a little better with aspen. I need a slight bump because the rack is in the living room.


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Do you have a TSC? I know there are a few in Southern Ontario, outside of the larger areas. That is basically a farm supply store, and my partner was just at one and said they have dried animal aspen shavings.
Being from Northwestern Ontario, I can understand your concern (6 hours west of Thunder Bay - yes, Ontario is THAT big)! :P
If I were you I'd stock up when you do find some!
I use the small animal bedding right now, but I don't like how big the chips are (my snakes don't care either way, and they work just the same, but I don't like the look of it). I'd like to find the smaller snake stuff for less money as well...

Good luck!

No tsc bit I am going to look in Sudbury when I get down to see if they have farm supply stores and if they carry it.

Ultimately I'd like to find a little smaller chip but for now this works. I guess most prefer the chips over shavings. But price is not conducive when they both do the same job.

Thanks everyone.


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I purchase bails of Aspen Chip from Ren's Pet Depot for somewhere in the neighborhood of $15 to $18 per bail (I usually buy 5 to 6 bails at a time and don't purchase often so I can't remember exactly what the price is).

I am in the GTA though, so not sure if you have a Ren's where you are.

Definitely no RENs but if I get down that way I may pick some up. Thanks! I will chec their website too for ordering.


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When you buy that expensive "reptile" aspen you are buying nice clean bedding. Because I have a whole bunch of enclosures I thought about going and buying the big bulk bags at Home Depot too. I've found that the big bulk bags that are not specifically meant to be used with reptiles have BUGS. I had to fight mites and get rid of a few wood enclosures because I was trying to save a buck. It was awful. I would stick with the expensive reptile aspen to be on the safe side (or treat the bulk first). I'm not saying ALL the aspen everywhere has bugs in it. I also personally think the shredded aspen looks better compared to the chips!

Kaytee 8.0cu/ft of aspen is less than $30. Most any shop who sells Kaytee will order it for you.

p/n 100032006

I have heard about bugs being in the home spot bags so I haven't tried that route. Snake mites shouldn't be in there though. I was always told (maybe incorrectly) that snake mites only lived on snakes. I don't want bugs in the house regardless. I haven't had a problem with the small animal aspen. Just not right that the reptile aspen is the same bit a little nicer cut and waaaay more money.

For now I am continuing with the small animal shredded aspen. It is pretty affordable and I like for the most part. I guess I just wish it was small shreds. No biggie.


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I use Mallard Creek Triple Screen Mix Equine Bedding. It comes in 7.5cu/ft bales for $8.50.

It is a mix of pine and fir that has been aspirated, vacuumed and screened.

Stuff works great and is cheap as could be. I use it for both my rodents and larger snakes.

And if you didn't know a 7.5cu/ft bale is compressed and would fill to the top, like 15 ten gal aquariums, for a size reference.


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Originally Posted by Badgemash

I use the harlan teklad lab bedding (nicely shredded aspen), ~$20 US for a 4.3 cubic ft bag. I know there are a few people who supply it on ebay, but I'm not sure if they ship to Canada.

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+1 on this. I get mine for $15 a bag. You should try to attend reptile shows because that's where it's normally at.