Used cypress mulch

[geekinpink]

I recently was able to finally find some cypress mulch. I poured it on their enclosure but my tort caught rns. Now she's doing ok and I have no idea what to do with the mulch. Should I throw it out since she used it when she had RNS or there is a way to 'disinfect' it? Like sunlight perhaps?

 

[Fernando]

Yeah there are a few members that "bake" it in the sun. Place the cypress on something black like a black rag then place it in the sunlight.

 

[HLogic]

I would recommend against that as the mulch has too many hiding places for nasties. It is unlikely that RNS would be recontracted from the substrate in any case but better to be safe than sorry...

Many of us, me included, 'bake' it in the sun to rid it of insects and other unwanted vermin that have taken up residence in it due to its storage outside.

 

[68merc]

Black trash bag in the sun for a few days should kill anything in there.

 

[Jacob]

Either One You Can D, Leave It In The Sun For A Couple Of Days,
Or Buy New Mulch If You Can Afford it, and Wanna Be Safe

 

[Maggie Cummings]

I rarely get a tortoise with a resp infection but when I do I don't do anything about the substrate. I don't think the URTI germs last at all outside of the tortoise so I don't believe it can be spread like that. If it could my tortoises would get sick more often then they do...

 

[murdocjunior]

I'd be safe than sorry, and throw it away.

 

[Madkins007]

Indoor habitat? Toss or bake it if you want a little extra piece of mind. Outdoor habitat? Leave it alone (natural sunlight will disinfect it enough.