Substrate issues

SO we got my daughters bp and bought forest floor. a few days later I noticed a very strong chemical smell coming from substrate, and lucifer was acting strange. e mailed company and the send me Reptibark. I since then found out that there are issues with repti bark. I put it in his cage 3 days ago, and was told to get it out immediately. was thinking of switching to coconut husks???

What was the issue with reptibark? I'm curious

I've been using ReptiBark for years, never had an issue

Are you sure the smell wasn't from the snakes urine or faeces?

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Originally Posted by tpowell

SO we got my daughters bp and bought forest floor. a few days later I noticed a very strong chemical smell coming from substrate, and lucifer was acting strange. e mailed company and the send me Reptibark. I since then found out that there are issues with repti bark. I put it in his cage 3 days ago, and was told to get it out immediately. was thinking of switching to coconut husks???

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WHO told you to get it out immediately? And why? Was some known to be accidentally contaminated with something? Please share more information as many people do
use these products & sometimes recalls don't get advertised as well as they should. Thanks...

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Originally Posted by Craiga 01453

I've been using ReptiBark for years, never had an issue

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Same here. I use it in two of my cages

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Originally Posted by Bodie

Same here. I use it in two of my cages

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I've got it in five of mine, so hopefully there's no recall or something I'm not aware of....

I use forest floor in my tank and have never noticed any weird smell other than earth smell.

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Originally Posted by Snakemom85

I use forest floor in my tank and have never noticed any weird smell other than earth smell.

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Along with reptibark, I use this also in two more of my cages. I agree with ya about the smell. Just woody to me

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Originally Posted by Bodie

What was the issue with reptibark? I'm curious

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It's not a good substrate for snakes and it's prone to mites. You have to bake it all thw time because it carries so much bacteria. This is what a friend told me about it

I dont know I had it In his tank for 2 days and the chemical smell was so bad it stunk up my daughters room took out bedding and it was fine smell went away

So I posted on a couple groups on fb pics of Lucifer and all they could do was criticize my set up and substrate apparently the heat light is wrong my substrate is crap and his hide is Inadaquet apparently the teptibark has bacteria and is infested with mites. I just feel really pissed off that people would treat someone like that

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Originally Posted by tpowell

It's not a good substrate for snakes and it's prone to mites. You have to bake it all thw time because it carries so much bacteria. This is what a friend told me about it

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Hmm. Ok. Like others have said I have also used it for years along with forrest floor and have never had any issues. As far as mites, they can hide in any kind substrate. You mentioned in your op that you might try coco husk. You can't go wrong with that either. I have that in other cages too lol. Bottom line try coco and see if you like it. Very absorbent and holds humidity great

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Originally Posted by tpowell

It's not a good substrate for snakes and it's prone to mites. You have to bake it all thw time because it carries so much bacteria. This is what a friend told me about it

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OK, please understand that I have no skin in this game, I don't use it, but any substrate that mites can hide in is "prone to mites" including the real world. The natural world has all kinds of bacteria, some bad but lots of good too...that's why when humans take antibiotics for a specific problem, they often take probiotics to help rebuild their "friendly bacteria" after the antibiotic drug has killed them all off. We NEED some kinds of bacteria & so do snakes & other creatures. There is such a thing as being "too clean" & studies show that children who are raised in ultra-clean homes & without contact with any pets are more likely to grow up with allergies & asthma. One difference with snakes in captivity though is that they are constantly re-exposed to whatever is in their cage, whereas in the wild they'd move on; also sunshine & fresh air can have a cleansing effect too.

On a related note, recently I came across some reporting on the high levels of bacteria that we are re-exposed to in our homes when our towels (& other laundry) aren't washed in hot enough water, but it was also explained that the biggest concern was from our guests because they brought in different bacteria from our own, & that our own bacteria poses little risk to us. I'm still going to wash my hands & all that... :rolleyes: but maybe you see what I'm getting at?

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Originally Posted by tpowell

So I posted on a couple groups on fb pics of Lucifer and all they could do was criticize my set up and substrate apparently the heat light is wrong my substrate is crap and his hide is Inadaquet apparently the teptibark has bacteria and is infested with mites. I just feel really pissed off that people would treat someone like that

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I am very sorry you had that experience. I don't know what may have caused your forest floor to smell funky...maybe the bag was exploded to something before you bought it...like something was spilled on it or something. Idk. I have used it with no problems so far. I hope you don't hold it against all of us that some people or major jerks and think their way is the only way. I have also heard very good things about reptibark and Coco husk although I can't speak from experience on these. I hope you find something that works for you and your snake as that is what matters.

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Edit to previous post...I meant to say exposed to something not explode.

My phone likes to change words on me sometimes. Lol

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Originally Posted by Snakemom85

Edit to previous post...I meant to say exposed to something not explode.

My phone likes to change words on me sometimes. Lol

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He seems happy with it..... I going to try coco husks next to see if I like that better The only problem I have with the forest floor was just the chemical smell it almost smells like kerosene or like a really strong paint thinner that’s not a good smell And Lucifer was going crazy he was always hanging out at the top refused to come down he was he would sit elongate along the side of his tank going upward towards the top of the tank so I knew something was wrong

I totally understand makes sense though I just do t see why everyone has an issue with my set up it’s fine but if it’s not done there way it’s wrong uggggg my boy is happy with it I have also been told that bps don’t thrive in reptibark and reptile bulb I have to get inferead it some other 30dollar bulb like oooonkk

I don't think infrared bulbs are good for them especially not if you run them all the time. They can see the red light so it messes up their day night schedule. I use a che for ambient temps and a uth to keep his hot hide around 90. People have different ways of doing things. Lots of people keep their bp in tiny dark plastic tubs on newspaper and a water bowl and nothing else. I highly disagree with that method but I don't ridicule people who choose to house their snakes like this.

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Originally Posted by tpowell

So I posted on a couple groups on fb pics of Lucifer and all they could do was criticize my set up and substrate apparently the heat light is wrong my substrate is crap and his hide is Inadaquet apparently the teptibark has bacteria and is infested with mites. I just feel really pissed off that people would treat someone like that

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There have been many similar comments here about FB groups being closed-minded & inclined to ridicule anyone who does things differently than what they approve of.
Personally I've never used FB, much less any herp groups there, but it's certainly not "just you" and such rudeness under the guise of "knowing it all" are unhelpful and
just amount to bullying.

We may not all agree on here but we strive to be open-minded & helpful, in the best interest of our pets. I hope you stick around & sort out whatever you want to know.

As far as having a chemical smell in the substrate you bought, I don't doubt you & you were right to get rid of what you were using. Sounds like some sort of contamination occurred that isn't typical of the products in question, & this kind of thing can happen with almost any product these days. Good on you for looking out for your snake.

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Originally Posted by Snakemom85

I don't think infrared bulbs are good for them especially not if you run them all the time. They can see the red light so it messes up their day night schedule. I use a che for ambient temps and a uth to keep his hot hide around 90. People have different ways of doing things. Lots of people keep their bp in tiny dark plastic tubs on newspaper and a water bowl and nothing else. I highly disagree with that method but I don't ridicule people who choose to house their snakes like this.

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Unless you have actual facts about red or infrared lights, please don’t go on about how awful they. The 4 male ball pythons and countless other boids I’ve keep over the years, are and were extremely healthy. 2 of my boys (balls) at 5 years old are pushing 1700 to 1800 grams. Doesn’t sound unhealthy to me. Stick to what you preached about many “ways to skin a cat”. And maybe a little less opinion.

Um, I was not trying to be rude or bash anybody. I was just saying what I have heard and I was not saying absolutely don't use red bulbs. I never once said anything to bash anybody using those I just stated what I use.

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Ok, phew.....

I was worried there was a recall on ReptiBark.

This is why it's so important to cross reference information and learn from reputable sources. Just cause one meathead says there's something wrong with ReptiBark doesn't mean it's true. I use it, all my animals are thriving...

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Originally Posted by tpowell

He seems happy with it..... I going to try coco husks next to see if I like that better The only problem I have with the forest floor was just the chemical smell it almost smells like kerosene or like a really strong paint thinner that’s not a good smell And Lucifer was going crazy he was always hanging out at the top refused to come down he was he would sit elongate along the side of his tank going upward towards the top of the tank so I knew something was wrong

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Another thing occurs to me, & may or may not be the case: for whatever reason, scents (even like perfumes) don't register (smell) the same to all of us; it might even be that you have a sinus issue (again, pure speculation) that affects how you perceive the scent of Forest Floor? Just a thought anyway...it seems odd that you didn't notice the smell when you first put it in his cage? Personally, I like what I'd describe as the "earthy" or "grassy" smell of moss & such products used for our snakes, but possibly it smells different to you?

Since you observed your snake avoiding the substrate & since this smelled like kerosene or paint thinner*, it's for the best that you didn't ignore this. You don't have to read much news today before you find all sorts of products that have been recalled for contamination, & you have to figure that not all products with contamination get called out-especially if only one or two bags are affected. *Both of those products are highly flammable too- personally I'd probably test that out cautiously in a safe area with a tiny amount of the stuff.

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Originally Posted by Craiga 01453

Ok, phew.....

I was worried there was a recall on ReptiBark.

This is why it's so important to cross reference information and learn from reputable sources. Just cause one meathead says there's something wrong with ReptiBark doesn't mean it's true. I use it, all my animals are thriving...

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that's why I came here I am so sick of jerks on fb who thing they know everything..... ug.......

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Originally Posted by tpowell

that's why I came here I am so sick of jerks on fb who thing they know everything..... ug.......

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I ditched FB entirely probably 6+ years ago. I don't miss it at all. But I have heard (primarily here on the forum) that a lot of the snake groups on FB are pretty toxic.

Thank you for raising the question here though. It can't hurt to ask and may potentially help others by bringing it up:gj: