Either news paper of the bark is great. I use the natures bark, it looks nice and is easy to maintain. I think it is all just what your personal preference is. Hope this helps.
Newspaper would be your cheapest way to go. But I like barks because it gets the humidity perfect and works well. I had to ditch bark for my bp's cause I found bugs in it! No they're on astro turf. It's more appealing then newspaper!
I remember someone on one of my yahoo groups saying they use mulch or something from home depot. They say it works better then any other herp brand substrate and is sooo cheap. I bet if baked it'd make a good substrate. I'm not sure I'd use it, just a thought.
We happen to use cypress Mulch (home depot, or a local garden shop)
Anyhow we found it to be easiest to use and fairly inexpensive (we need to get substrate for 50 or so cages, so that seems to work great for us.
PS animals in isolation / quarenteen are always kept on either white paper towel or unprinted newspaper (easiest to get a fecal that way)
Ok just my two cents
RUSTY
CT Reptile Rescue
Rescue, Rehabilitation & Education
For all Reptiles & Amphibians CTReptileRescue@Comcast.net
(website coming soon)