Cypress Mulch (buying from Home Depot)?

[Tyanna]

Is it safe to buy the packaged cypress mulch from Home Depot? It's a lot cheaper, just not sure if it's "safe".

 

[G-stars]

My local one doesn't carry any. But I always freeze and bake mine. Should be safe.


— Gus

 

[Tyanna]

My local one doesn't carry any. But I always freeze and bake mine. Should be safe.


— Gus

Safe, without freezing and baking?

 

[G-stars]

Safe, without freezing and baking?

I don't see why not. Baking and freezing is mainly to get rid of pests I believe.


— Gus

 

[Tyanna]

I just wanted to make sure there wasn't a difference between the pet store stuff and the home depot stuff! Thank you!

 

[G-stars]

Now you have me thinking. Shouldn't be a difference but maybe wait and see what others think.


— Gus

 

[Tyanna]

I will. I'm hoping the only difference is the hole in the pocket will be smaller and not bigger buying from home depot.

 

[G-stars]

I bought my peat moss and top soil there. Hasn't been a problem as far as I know.


— Gus

 

[Tyanna]

Are you using peat moss as substrate? Did you get organic stuff or just any old peat moss? I'm open for suggestions.

 

[G-stars]

Organic. Then put top soil over it. I also use the spaghnum peat moss to put in the hides. Yes it's all used as substrate. It's a bit messy though because it gets in the water and muddy. But they like it. I've used cypress but prefer top soil myself.


— Gus

 

[pfara]

Home improvement store mulch should be fine to use. I haven't had any issues so far.

 

[Magilla504]

I use organic peat moss and whatever cypress mulch lowes has in stock. I have never had a problem so far. Just always read the bag to make sure that it doesn't have any treatments in it

 

[lisa127]

Are you using peat moss as substrate? Did you get organic stuff or just any old peat moss? I'm open for suggestions.

For my box turtles I use 100% organic peat moss as substrate, nothing else mixed in. I got a big bale of it for $10 at Lowes. Home Depot has it too.

 

[lismar79]

I would just make sure it is not dyed and it should be fine.

 

[Rollininthehay82]

I use it all the time with no problem

 

[Yellow Turtle01]

I don't bake or boil my coir, and I get it from the local garden store... wayyyy cheaper than the pet store! Maybe check to see if it says organic, no chemicals .

 

[Tyanna]

I don't bake or boil my coir, and I get it from the local garden store... wayyyy cheaper than the pet store! Maybe check to see if it says organic, no chemicals .

So you would suggest using organic..not just regular? I agree, it's all wayyyy cheaper which is why I want to buy from somewhere else other than the petstore, LOL

 

[Tom]

I've been using bulk stuff from the hardware stores for decades. Never had one problem. I usually use orchid bark. The few times I've tried cypress mulch it smelled a little swampy, so I soaked and rinsed it a few times before putting it in the enclosures. I don't do anything with the o bark. Just through it straight in right out of the bag.

 

[Yellow Turtle01]

So you would suggest using organic..not just regular? I agree, it's all wayyyy cheaper which is why I want to buy from somewhere else other than the petstore, LOL

No, just regular, but I would check to make sure it doesn't say out-right if it's been treated with anything

 

[Tyanna]

Awesome, I need to start buying that stuff instead! Thanks!