sterilizing commericial bags of cypress mulch?

I live in Southern California where it's impossible to buy cypress mulch so I'm having some family from back east to ship me some huge bags from the local garden stores or walmart and I was wondering if I need to treat it in some way before using it with my snakes.

All the stuff I've bought before for the snakes have come from reputable reptile shops and were made specifically for reptiles so I didnt ever have to worry about this before, any opinions?

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Originally Posted by kyleO

I live in Southern California where it's impossible to buy cypress mulch so I'm having some family from back east to ship me some huge bags from the local garden stores or walmart and I was wondering if I need to treat it in some way before using it with my snakes.

All the stuff I've bought before for the snakes have come from reputable reptile shops and were made specifically for reptiles so I didnt ever have to worry about this before, any opinions?

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I don't think it is a problem straight out the bag, but if you are not confident in that, bake it. Put it on a cookie sheet with some wax paper and bake it for a few minutes at 300*

But owuldn't baking it remove all of the humidity that is the reason for using it?

If you are worried, you might try freezing it for a week or so, that should kill off any insects and parasites.

It would be dry straight out of the bag, baking wouldn't affect that, it puts off humidity if you put water in it.

You could also hose it down with PAM if you thought that there may be mites in it.

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Originally Posted by Sausage

It would be dry straight out of the bag, baking wouldn't affect that, it puts off humidity if you put water in it.

You could also hose it down with PAM if you thought that there may be mites in it.

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Actually, cypress mulch is pretty damp when you open it.

I'm more or less asking do you guys feel its neccasary. Has anyone encountered any sort of problem with this?

Just as long as there are no additives (such as some Walmart brands are 'extra red') then I've had no problems when I used it and I never baked mine.

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Originally Posted by kyleO

I'm more or less asking do you guys feel its neccasary. Has anyone encountered any sort of problem with this?

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I have run into all types of bugs and spiders in mulch. I always bake at 350 for 20 min. or more It can always be remoistened.

hmmm never took in consideration when buying commercial gardening substrate. Ive felt that those commercial mulches contain some kind of chemical that will harm you snake after a short period of time.

*JINX JINX. I hope nothing happens to you guyes Bps when using this stuff. If this substrate from walmart is safe I might go ahead and try it too.

I have been using cypress mulch for years with no problems. :)


I would NOT recommend bakeing in the oven with wax paper, unless you want to burn down your house when that wax paper catches on fire. :eek:

Ed,

Do you speak from experience from that wax paper?
IF SO... THAT'S NOT GOOD!!!

Also when baking cypress mulch... make sure you can ventilate your house! If not your whole house is going to smell like stinky mulch. I know my house did and I was not about to air it out when he was only 20 outside.

wow I should start using that. I always thought itll be bad for the snakes. THnx for the wallet saving techniques

Nope, never tried baking cypress mulch with waxed paper. always use it straight out of the bag with no problems. :P

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Originally Posted by lillyorchid

Ed,

Do you speak from experience from that wax paper?
IF SO... THAT'S NOT GOOD!!!

Also when baking cypress mulch... make sure you can ventilate your house! If not your whole house is going to smell like stinky mulch. I know my house did and I was not about to air it out when he was only 20 outside.

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I just started using it and I'm loving it. I don't bake it either straight out of the bag into the tub.

I may have to go see how much it is at HD. I am using Kaytee Aspen in 8 cu. ft. bags for $15 right now.

I buy big bags from Home Depot and use it straight from the bag. During the summer months I will spray it down with Equate to kill off any spiders or wood mites (not snake mites :) ) that might be hitching along. (I do this not because they will bother the snake but that I don't want them in my house :D )