sterilizing sphagnum moss and soil

[kobato]

Hi everyone. I live in Hong Kong and I am getting ready to buy a leopard as my 1st tortoise.
I want to use sphagnum moss and soil as substrates in my indoor pen.
I am afraid that there is parasite or any sort of bug eggs come with the substrates which could harm my future tortoise.
Do I need to sterilize the substrates by putting it in the microwave oven?
anyone have done that before?
maybe it is a stupid concern. hopefully someone can help me out.
Thanks

 

[chadk]

I guess it wouldn't hurt to put damp moss in the microwave and let it steam for a bit. But I've never done it. My torts go inside and outside and bring in rocks and sticks and things from the outdoors and never worry about it. In the wild, nobody is doing these things for them.

Focus on building a healthy immune system. If you raise a tort (or a person or anything really) in too sterile of an environment, then when they do finally get exposed to a common pathogyn or parasite, it could be devistating.

 

[kobato]

thanks for the information. it totally make sense to me. probably I worry way too much.
thx

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi "Kobato" (May we know your name?):

Welcome to the forum!!