Is mulch other than cypress harmful?

[shellysmom]

I'm setting up an enclosure for my new redfoot. I'm going to be using some cypress mulch, which I know is okay. But, I'm basically fencing in a huge flower bed that has a few remnants of other types of mulch in it. Can I leave that there, or do I need to rake it out. I keep reading that cypress mulch is good, but can't seem to find any info on why other types of mulch might be bad... ???

 

[wellington]

Depends on what types of mulch. List them and we can let you know if bad or not.

 

[tortadise]

Most mulch is ok for tortoises. Definitely stay away from cedar mulch, and colored mulch.

 

[shellysmom]

Ahhhhhhh, I think it's some really old, faded, colored mulch. Definitely not cedar, though. Does the coloring process make it potentially toxic? If so, I should probably go get rid of it...

 

[tortadise]

Yeah because its basically stain and chemicals they color it with. Just rake it all up then put a couple inches of top soil then mulch it and should be ok.

 

[Mgridgaway]

As an additional thought, wouldn't pine mulch be really bad, considering the oils are toxic?

 

[tortadise]

Ahhh yes pine mulch too. We dont have it in my area so I always forget about it. Good catch.

 

[Madkins007]

There is really no clinical evidence that pine is an issue for reptiles, just some anecdotal stuff.

It is unlikely that aged colored mulch would be much of a problem, but if you are a 'better safe than sorry' person, just use it for the bottom layers.