Substrate issues

[Bogertophis]

So I posted on a couple groups on fb pics of Lucifer and all they could do was criticize my set up and substrate apparently the heat light is wrong my substrate is crap and his hide is Inadaquet apparently the teptibark has bacteria and is infested with mites. I just feel really pissed off that people would treat someone like that

There have been many similar comments here about FB groups being closed-minded & inclined to ridicule anyone who does things differently than what they approve of.
Personally I've never used FB, much less any herp groups there, but it's certainly not "just you" and such rudeness under the guise of "knowing it all" are unhelpful and
just amount to bullying.

We may not all agree on here but we strive to be open-minded & helpful, in the best interest of our pets. I hope you stick around & sort out whatever you want to know.

As far as having a chemical smell in the substrate you bought, I don't doubt you & you were right to get rid of what you were using. Sounds like some sort of contamination occurred that isn't typical of the products in question, & this kind of thing can happen with almost any product these days. Good on you for looking out for your snake.