HAS ANYONE HEARD OF THIS???

[Kelly71]

Hi All,
Just wanted has anyone used or heard of this stuff? It is called Tea Tree or Melaleuca bark?
I was told it is really good for anything that has shells? Thanks

 

[Loohan]

If you do a web search, you will find there is much controversy over whether tea tree oil has endocrine disrupting properties, or how much.
I would be inclined not to use Melaleuca, to be on the safe side.

 

[Kelly71]

Hi,
Well am not just going to be using that by itself? I am going to put it
in a mix with repti bark and sphagnum moss mix? Thanks

 

[Loohan]

I would tend to go by the smell. If no strong vapors are given off, it's probably OK...

 

[Kelly71]

Hi,
Well if you go buy smell, I think the repti bark has a real strong smell? lol
I wash off and cook or freeze my all stuff just in case? lol Thanks

 

[Loohan]

Baking it ought to drive off any fumes.

 

[Kelly71]

Hi,
I do it more for bugs,mites? Even when I was a tarantula person they bugged me? lol
I know some are good but..still? lol

 

[kirsty Johnston]

I personally don't agree with putting anything on the shell. It prevents growth as well as restricts the uva uvb.
Why are you looking to add it to the shell?
Cleaning the shell with water is enough in my opinion

 

[Kelly71]

Hi,
Sorry if you really read it is a bedding? Bark chips, nothing on the shell? It just could
be good for shells? Maybe like if the bedding rubbed on the shell? Thanks

 

[Loohan]

Of course, if you were wanting antiseptic or insecticidal properties from the bark, that would dissipate along with the oil.

 

[kirsty Johnston]

Hi,
Sorry if you really read it is a bedding? Bark chips, nothing on the shell? It just could
be good for shells? Maybe like if the bedding rubbed on the shell? Thanks

Oh! I thought you were talking about putting tea tree oil on the shell! That's a relif lol
I've personally never heard of this as a substrate but will say all the people who are experts on this forum won't see past coco coir so rather than be in doubt over a substate that isn't well known I would go with the majority and use coco coir

 

[Kelly71]

Hi Kirsty,
Sorry about the mix up? lol I myself am new to having a tort but have
had tarantulas for over 30+ years I used the what I call the co co dirt stuff
for them. Myself I dont like using that just by itself for a baby tort. I use
it on the very bottom with a Repti Bark, sphagnum moss mix. I was looking
to ad something new and else to the mix. A person I know who has dealt with
torts for years ordered some of this tea tree bark stuff in for me to use when
I had giant land snails. The only reason why I did not use it for them is bc it
was a little finer for them. I think it would be great to ad to the mix myself but,
wanted to know what everyone thought? The other person that posted on it
said they might be worried that it might have to much tea tree oil on the bark?
I dont know how much would be left after I cooked it or froze it and am not
just using that by itself? And if it was going to be safe for snail to crawl on I
think a tort would be ok? Thanks What do you use?

 

[Loohan]

If it is safe enough for a snail it must not have oil in it. Maybe only the inner layers of the tree have oil.

 

[Kelly71]

Hi,
Thanks kind of miss the other cool shell guys. lol They were real big and
neat! lol What do you think is best to get rid of bugs mites? Cook something
or freeze it? Thanks

 

[Loohan]

I am no authority and luckily so far have never had to deal with mites. But any chemical, even natural, that repels mites might also be unhealthy long-term for your critters. So i would stick to freezing, baking, food-grade DE, etc.

 

[Sarah_Marie]

Cool pic!

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Hi,
Thanks kind of miss the other cool shell guys. lol They were real big and
neat! lol What do you think is best to get rid of bugs mites? Cook something
or freeze it? ThanksView attachment 144216

Wow !
Lovely snail.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Other substrates include orchid bark, cypress mulch, good quality sand free and herbicide free topsoil, and even yard dirt, if you know it's safe.

 

[Lyn W]

Tea tree oil is used in shampoos etc to get rid of head lice - just a quick fact.