Really wanted to love Cypress mulch

[OkAdiza]

SO...since I was trying to save some money on orchid bark for my tortoises, I decided to try cypress mulch with a layer of Reptibark to cover. The price would have been great, but the amount of extra bugs I have gotten has been crazy. I had the regular springtails and a few gnats in the warmer months with the Reptibark, but since having the cypress mulch the gnats have been out of control, and there have also been what I think are cypress beetles ( a TON ?). I know keeping tortoises means bugs too, but I think I will just switch back to the Reptibark. Anyone else find they have more bugs with cypress mulch?

 

[crimson_lotus]

i tried cypress mulch years ago...didn't care much for it because some of it would mold. I dont think I ever had bugs though.

She had reptibark before I received her, and it was infested with springtails, but I think that was because literally no one thought about changing her substrate, ever.

I have coco coir now....I do have a bunch of gnats (which is new...never had them before) but I figure it was from my outside environment, like from a recent plant I brought back from a greenhouse.

The beetles sound interesting...when did you change your substrate last?

 

[Maro2Bear]

Nagh, not really. Ive been using Lowes Cypress mulch for years now and never one issue. I bought three or four bags a year or so ago - all good. Just using my last bag up now. I really don’t think it’s the cypress - there’s really nothing there for bugs to eat.

Put your bag outside in this freezing weather.....i wouldnt give up.

 

[OkAdiza]

i tried cypress mulch years ago...didn't care much for it because some of it would mold. I dont think I ever had bugs though.

She had reptibark before I received her, and it was infested with springtails, but I think that was because literally no one thought about changing her substrate, ever.

I have coco coir now....I do have a bunch of gnats (which is new...never had them before) but I figure it was either from my outside environment, like from a recent plant I brought back from a greenhouse.

The beetles sound interesting...when did you change your substrate last?

Earlier this month sadly.

 

[OkAdiza]

Nagh, not really. Ive been using Lowes Cypress mulch for years now and never one issue. I bought three or four bags a year or so ago - all good. Just using my last bag up now. I really don’t think it’s the cypress - there’s really nothing there for bugs to eat.

Put your bag outside in this freezing weather.....i wouldnt give up.

I got mine from Lowes as well. Maybe I just got a not great batch. I was reading that cypress beetles eat the bark, but I am not sure if that is true or if they are actually cypress beetles. I will have to get a picture.

 

[OkAdiza]

Correction, I think they are weevils, possibly cypress weevils. Couldn’t get a good picture.

 

[Ink]

Maybe try southern state store off midlothian turnpike. I hate bugs?

 

[OkAdiza]

Maybe try southern state store off midlothian turnpike. I hate bugs?

Me too! I haven’t even had this substrate a full month. I’m not going to make it ?

 

[Ink]

They keep some mulch in the store but that is where I got the chick and hens. No bugs