Two questions

[klinej50]

Two leopard torts. -Bonney and Clyde

1st- I've read all the websites with the editable plants for leopard tortoise and I really want to give my tortoise a wide variety of food but I have the hardest time finding food for them. I have a sweet potato vine, oregano, some more herbs, hibiscus, aloe, two other cactus, grass, kale, spring mix and some times as a treat carrots. I also recently planted a seed mix I got from tortoises supply but it is mainly grasses(barley started growing). I don't have any weeds in my yard. I don't use any weed killer and anything like that they just never grow. Sorry that was so long just wanting y'all to understand what I have so far. Does anyone have any suggestions where y'all get such a wide variety?

2nd- I have some what of a ant problem and every now and then I find them crawling on my torts. Is there anyway to get rid of them with out harming my tortoises? They aren't fire ants I don't know the proper name for them but my family calls them "crazy ants".

 

[ascott]

on 2nd point;

You can use;

http://diatomaceousearth.net/produc...gclid=CJ3VquqCz7gCFe1_QgodXWAA_Q#.UfNlXGT71yE

but be sure it is food grade and not the kind you would use in a pool pump set up....

 

[Tom]

1. Tortoisesupply.com also has a "Testudo Mix" that has no grasses in it. It's my favorite seed mix and it grow very well for me. Also try mulberry leaves, grape vines, hibiscus leaves, gazanias, nasturtiums, geraniums, jade plant, ice plant, elephant bush, and red apple (the succulent).

2. Try Terro Ant Baits. They work very well here and destroy the whole colony since they carry it back to the queen, yet they are very safe and non-toxic to torts.

 

[Jtort]

I agree about Terro ant baits. We had tons and tons of ants in the house and we didnt even leave any food out. Bought some Terro Ant Baits and they found them quickly. More started coming to the bait box but we let them come. I don't remember how long it took. Maybe a couple days? But they were gone! We even had to replace some of the bait boxes because the ants would finish the bait.

 

[klinej50]

Thank for the info. But how do you guys find all these plants? I've been to Home Depot Walmart and two local nurseries and have only found about 4.

 

[Tom]

You can buy most of it from seed. Some things are easier to buy an already started plant. Try a nursery instead of a chain hardware store. And many of us with the tortoise obsession see tortoise food everywhere we go. I'm constantly looking for any of the above plants and all sorts of weeds anytime I go anywhere.

 

[3bdulla]

If you can't find any plant you can order seeds from here :
http://stores.ebay.com/Garden-Starts-Nursery

 

[klinej50]

Thanks Tom. I know what you mean every time I go to the store I start seeing things I could use to improve my
Tortoises enclosure!

 

[Dizisdalife]

I look for tortoise food everywhere I go too. When I ask people what they spray on their hibiscus, or grapes, or if they fertilize their mulberry tree they think I am seeking advice. I like the look on their faces when I tell them I want some of their plant to feed my tortoise.

 

[klinej50]

Yeah my neighbors have a prickly pear cactus and they don't spray anything so they let me take some.