Looking for cheaper substrate for a Honduran Milk snake. This was at the local Menards. Does anyone use this? Where does everyone get their Cypress Mulch?
I use it for my boas. I put it in bowls in thier cages. The cypress much is shredded but it is on the large size. Definitely helps with the humidity when the boas are shedding. I buy it from Menards too. It’s cost around 5 to 6 dollars per bag.
I actually just looked at the Zoo med brand and it looks identical on the size to yours. I was worried about fertilizer/pesticide being in the non reptile labeled versions from big box stores
Been using it for a few years now with no problems. Nothing in it but Cypress much. Not even bugs.
As long as it says organic, it should be okay. Which that bag does.
The downside is usually things like tanins especial if you’re looking at coco products. I’ve almost dyed my white snake orange once because one of the ones I tried wasn’t washed through enough before selling.
I mostly definitely recommend finely shredded aspen! That’s what I use for my Honduran milk snake. I don’t have to worry about mites or other pests as I would with cypress mulch no matter where it comes from.
I get my aspen from Tractor Supply. It’s actually horse bedding. The name of it is Excelsior Premium Horse Bedding. I just bought some today, a 7 cubic foot bag for 7.99 plus tax. It will last you FOREVER. I’ve used the aspen sold at the big box stores but this aspen is way better! I tried to include a picture of the bag but I couldn’t figure it out for some reason.. 
I know exactly which one you’re talking about! Is that nothing crazy added? And I was debating aspen. I was hearing like it molds and just with humidity being dry. I know it’s not as “good looking”
I’m a tub keeper so aspen looks good enough for me! But I go for functionality. Any substrate will mold if you don’t maintain it correctly. As far as humidity goes, if the husbandry is set up correctly, you should not have to spray the substrate. If humidity is a problem there are other ways to control it without spraying. Another thing I like about aspen is that you can see feces a lot easier. If not removed quickly feces will mold as well.
My boy doesn’t burrow in the aspen but he’s thriving. Shedding had never been a problem either.
