Aspen doesnt stick to your food if you thaw your prey in a dry manner. I thaw my prey in my incubator or in a rubbermaid tub in a bath tub full of hot water. this way the rats (in my case) dont get wet at all. this works perfect. and the aspen doesnt usually stick to it at all. id much rather my snakes swallow some aspen then mulch. I used sani chips before. I just didnt like how failed to compact and stay in one possition like the aspen does.