Substrate alternatives to cypress mulch?

[zapper1234566]

To make a long story short it appears that the cypress mulch I've been keeping my skink on has been causing me life-crippling allergy problems. I, unfortunately, live in a comically dry state so keeping her enclosure humid is a bit of an uphill battle. Does anyone have any alternatives that are comparable in mold resistance and humidity retention?

[Kchan]

Hey! I'm a new user here and I don't have personal experience with a BTS. I am having plans on making some bioactive substrate for my reptiles and did some research on what I'd need.

From what I've gathered, top soil (organic, NO ADDITIVES) combined with play sand (not sure about the ratio, possibly 25% of play sand to substrate mix) and to sprinkle some sphagnum moss in there would help hold the humidity. There was also some comments I read about using excavator clay and mixing that in with your substrate so their tunnels would be able to hold its shape.

If you don't plan on going bioactive, they highly recommend baking the soil in an oven to get rid of any potential gnats, other bacteria, etc...

Hope this helps!

[Herpin Man]

I’ve using coconut chip- Reptichip- for some of my animals. It doesn’t have all of the splinters that cypress mulch does, and it holds moisture just as well, and there’s less dust.

[Janella]

My personal favorite is Zilla Jungle Mix with reptibark on top. I have also know people who use plan top soil with no additives in it as well. Ecoearth and forest floor are also popular.

[zapper1234566]

My personal favorite is Zilla Jungle Mix with reptibark on top. I have also know people who use plan top soil with no additives in it as well. Ecoearth and forest floor are also popular.

It's actually the forest floor that's setting off my allergies. Also any idea what major chains might carry non-additive top soil?

[Janella]

You should be able to find top soil with no additives at any large chain type store like Ace Hardware, Lowe's, or Home Depot.