Substrata from Lowes

[nighttrain_1991]

I'd be really careful about this, guys. Cypress mulch is often mixed with other woods, including pine. And it's not like they are required to list the ingredients or anything. If it isn't sold as pet safe, I wouldn't consider using it myself.

According to the people at lowes they are required to list it as a blend if it contains other woods and to list the other woods present. I also called the manufacturer number listed on the bag and they said it was 100% cypress. Of course i'm sure multiple types are processed on the same equipment, and I'm sure there are potential trace amounts of other materials. The pesticide and fertilizer aspect is definitely an improtant consideration. I will be checking with the manufacturer on that. Of course as you point out they are not listed as pet safe so I'm sure there is no legal liability for their claims. Ultimately the cost savings may not be worth it.

[Kaorte]

If they say they are pesticide and fertilizer free, I would assume that it would be true. I feel like people might use mulch in cases where they don't want any fertilizer.

Although it would be worthwhile to look into.

Maybe the fertilizer will make my snakes grow faster? haha I'm only joking!!

[ironpython]

I just called the company that processes the evergreen cypress blend mulch and fought out it may have pine mixed with it so I just removed it from all my tubs. Its a shame because I really like the cypress mulch in my tubs. I'm going to see if I can find one at home depot that has only cypress. I did see one at Lowes that said all hard wood blend.

1.1 pastels, 1.0 lesser, 0.1 het blurry, 0.1 spider, 1.1 norm. 0.1 dinker,

[Kaorte]

Ouch... Looks like I might try the $10 bag from Reptile Basics.

[ironpython]

I've talked to several people who have used cypress mulch from home depot and Lowes for years without issue. I'll let you know when I find a safe one. The price difference is to great if its the same.

1.1 pastels, 1.0 lesser, 0.1 het blurry, 0.1 spider, 1.1 norm. 0.1 dinker,

[Steve-o M]

Before you buy any Substrate from homedepot read post HELP 5 random balls just up and died listed in forms ball pythons, general BPs, normal threads. The reward might not be worth the risk

[Skiploder]

I've talked to several people who have used cypress mulch from home depot and Lowes for years without issue. I'll let you know when I find a safe one. The price difference is to great if its the same.

1.1 pastels, 1.0 lesser, 0.1 het blurry, 0.1 spider, 1.1 norm. 0.1 dinker,

So because it has pine it is not safe?

[nighttrain_1991]

So because it has pine it is not safe?

Correct--pine and cedar for sure and probably other similar woods have resins which are toxic to some animals including reptiles.

[MrLang]

Correct--pine and cedar for sure and probably other similar woods have resins which are toxic to some animals including reptiles.

The resin can be cooked off/rendered harmless by baking it in a kiln.

I use kiln dried pine for my rodents with no problems.

[ironpython]

Before you buy any Substrate from homedepot read post HELP 5 random balls just up and died listed in forms ball pythons, general BPs, normal threads. The reward might not be worth the risk

I'm sorry but I don't see a correlation between what's on this thread and using substrata from a hardware store. Seems to me, unless I'm missing something that the poster never concluded what killed the snakes. And I have used the aspen from tractor supply ever since Ive had my snakes with no ill affects. It is sold as pet safe. I'll bet if you check the cypress sold by pet supply stores is milled in the same place as the gardening store cypress with a different bag chemicals are added later.

1.1 pastels, 1.0 lesser, 0.1 het blurry, 0.1 spider, 1.1 norm. 0.1 dinker,