| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Moppet |
Posted - 03/05/2013 : 07:15:00
I have the opportunity to collect sphagnum moss from my parents garden but I am concerned about treating it so that it is safe for my snakes.
How do you think is the best way to do this? How is the moss treated when you buy it for reptiles? Is it possible to treat it the same was as logs?I would be worried about putting it in the oven as a fire risk... |
| 5 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Moppet |
Posted - 03/05/2013 : 12:45:41
I know that no fertilisers, pesticides etc are used. My parents do not use any of them in their garden (and have not ever used them) so it is safe from that point of view.
I shall try the microwave idea, thanks blackcat.
I don't like the quality of the moss I got specifically for reptiles, it was full of larch needles and other *****ly things (EDIT: over zealous filter issues... 'spikey') and it seems silly to buy it when I can collect it for free.  |
| Blackcat |
Posted - 03/05/2013 : 10:04:25
I use moss from my parents garden, I know that no pesticides, fertilizer etc have been used.
All I do before use is to wash it really well with copious amounts of water several times, I then put the wet moss in a glass dish and microwave to kill any bugs, have had no issues |
| Razee |
Posted - 03/05/2013 : 08:50:32
AB - good point with pesticides... I forgot about those. |
| Auld Baldy |
Posted - 03/05/2013 : 08:17:18
I wouldn't use it from the garden. You never know what pesticides, fertilizer or other chemicals it might contain. It isn't worth the risk considering the price of pet supplier prices. |
| Razee |
Posted - 03/05/2013 : 08:01:53
You could always put it in the freezer for some time, and then, when you pull it out, put it in a baking tray, and pour some boiling water over it. Let it cool down, rinse, squeeze the water out - ready to use.
I used to buy a bag from a garden centre, and stored my moss like that, divided into individual freezer bags , according to how much I was using in one moist hide. Now I'm a bit lazy, so I just keep the bag in the conservatory, and pull out some moss whenever I need it, just giving it a rinse. :-) |
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