Aspen mulch

[Cheesenugget]

Does anyone know a brand or where you can get Aspen mulch besides the Zoo Med brand?

Not a fan of the Aspen flakes used for small pets. The smell gives me breathing problems for some reason.

Thanks.

[Hugsplox]

If you want to just stick with the big companies so it's easy to find, Zilla makes lizard litter that's pretty much the same as Zoomed's version. I'm not sure if that'll take care of the smell issue you're having but it's about the same price I think. Exoterra also has a product called Snake Bedding, that's supposed to be dust-free untreated natural wood, but I'm not 100% sure what type of wood it is. It looks like aspen in the store, but I don't think it specifies on the packaging.

Edit: I apologize too if you're looking for an alternative to aspen, I may have misunderstood you.

[Bogertophis]

Have you looked on Chewy.com? They have all kinds of aspen & other small pet beddings.

[Cheesenugget]

Thanks. I'll check it out!

[nikkubus]

If aspen is giving you breathing problems I would switch to something else. As someone who really struggles with allergies and has been around for a while, if you ignore it, the allergy will probably get worse over time if it's something you are in contact with daily. Aspen really isn't a great substrate choice for BPs anyways. I would give some type of coco bark a try if I were you. Aspen is great for some types of colubrids, but for BPs it just doesn't do a good job at helping to maintain the correct humidity. Yes, it is significantly more expensive, but it does last a pretty good while before needing changed because it's so good at resisting mold.

[jmcrook]

If aspen is giving you breathing problems I would switch to something else. As someone who really struggles with allergies and has been around for a while, if you ignore it, the allergy will probably get worse over time if it's something you are in contact with daily. Aspen really isn't a great substrate choice for BPs anyways. I would give some type of coco bark a try if I were you. Aspen is great for some types of colubrids, but for BPs it just doesn't do a good job at helping to maintain the correct humidity. Yes, it is significantly more expensive, but it does last a pretty good while before needing changed because it's so good at resisting mold.

While they should definitely change if aspen is giving them respiratory issues it’s certainly a fine substrate for a BP if your local climate is amenable.

I live in Mississippi and have had more issues with mold using coconut husk substrate than aspen. I can get either option to work for me but I change depending on the season and personal preference at any given time.

During the summer aspen works great and I often don’t even need to mist during sheds and have no problems.


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[Zincubus]

I detest Aspen !!

It looks horrid and unnatural , it’s useless for getting a decent humidity and it gets all over the carpets and house ..plus being light in colour it ‘drains’ all the colour out of light coloured , white or albino snakes .

Orchid or Reptibark is darker , natural looking and enhances the colours of your snakes apart from real dark snakes plus it’s fantastic for holding as much or little humidity!

See the difference




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[Bogertophis]

Well, we don't all like or need the same things in a substrate, so it's great to have so many options. Use what works best for you & your location.

[Zincubus]

Well, we don't all like or need the same things in a substrate, so it's great to have so many options. Use what works best for you & your location.

Very true ... I just don’t see anything good about aspen


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[Bogertophis]

Very true ... I just don’t see anything good about aspen


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Aspen is not my thing either, but it's an option. And while the color does make pale snakes look "washed out", that's not an issue for darker colored snakes- just the opposite. No getting around that clean up is messy though. But that's life..."messy".