We use Eco Earth and have had them strike and get a mouthful quite often. We have had to pick hold the snake and pick it out....they love it....NOT. Anyways....what we have done now and it seems to work is prior to feeding we put down papertowels and put the snakes on the paper towels prior to feeding. So far ...this has worked out great. I have to note though...I cannot wait to get my rack so I can use newspaper or paper towels.