building a new outdoor enclosure need advise.

[xXtortoiseloverXx]

hi guys ,i am building a new outdoor enclosure for 4 of my star tortoise, but my mother in law use some insect control on the soil , i already took most of the soil out,but there must have some left there, so i am think getting some substrates cover it , so what is the best out door substrates ? and i am worry that they will dig so they may still have contact to those soil.any advise will be great . thanks

 

[lynnedit]

How much of the old soil did you take out (inches)?

As far as adding substrate, any organic topsoil, or untreated soil would be fine.

 

[xXtortoiseloverXx]

4 inches I took most of them an I will try to to take more out tomorrow , the thing is those insect control may went in to the ground also , but I know tortoise likes to dig some time . Or I may add a lot of organic top soil in it

 

[ascott]

That bottle shows it is the season long treatment.....I would personally be concerned for at least an entire year of seasons.....

Now, if your torts are using that space for outdoor time to gain sun and not living in there full time all the time...then I would say to dig out dirt down to 10 inches then back fill with the suggested organic soils...also remember that if that surrounding area was also treated when ever your irrigation comes on you may have the possibility of surface water pooling and contaminating the area you have worked so hard on....

Also, I have to disclose that I am UBER OCD when it comes to any chemicals and so my response is based from that place....I use absolutely no chemical or foreign sprays or products on our property...so again, I am disclosing Crazy OCD Town Queen here.... so I always error on the side of caution vs taking a chance when it comes to this type of stuff....

 

[lynnedit]

If you can dig out a as much soil as you can, and backfill with soil as Angela suggests, it should be fine. It is a really nice space, sunny, lots of walking room.
It would be a shame not to use it.