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Walmart Pine chips ok?

H

h0mersimps0n

New member
I've been using reptibark for years and years and years but due to recent financial hardships I'm forced to do my bi-annual tank cleaning (four 20-gal longs) using Walmart $5.50 Pine shavings.

I just want to know if anyone has used it and had any problems with it. My biggest concern is that there is cedar mixed in and people have actually had animals get sick or even die from using this cheap crap...

Keep an eye on the classifieds, sale of animals soon :(
 
Have to agree with Flagg that it's not worth the risk, if you know that harm has been caused.

Have you considered switching to newspaper as a substrate until your finances pick up? I know it isn't as good-looking as bark, but it must be an alternative to having to sell up. Mine lived on newspaper for years, quite happily. It's absorbant enough and also allows them to think they're burrowing if they enjoy that!
 
What about aspen? A little more than the pine or cedar but way cheaper than reptibark. But if you're really in that hard of a financial situation then use newspaper as bitsy said. Pine and cedar and corns don't mix.
 
Yo Homie it is Vinny, I been using pine shaveings for over 30 years and over 20 of those years professonaly. I use the brand from K-Mart
 
I was clearly under the impression that pine was on the no no list for corns.
I say go with the newspaper, or if you want not print...uh papertowls? Those are cheap too, dollar store cheap :D
Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
 
you do know that I been breeding corns for over 20 years . Pine shavings have been in my water dishes all the time . There is no problems. I kept kings , corns , milks , moutian kings , gophers , bulls, ,pines, garters, boas, pythons, ect . White Pine is fine.
 
Vinman said:
you do know that I been breeding corns for over 20 years . Pine shavings have been in my water dishes all the time . There is no problems. I kept kings , corns , milks , moutian kings , gophers , bulls, ,pines, garters, boas, pythons, ect . White Pine is fine.
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If you look at the time of your post and mine I was writing mine when yours was posted and as a result did not see yours untill after posting mine. I was in no way referring to yours.
But after reading it my question still stands, as in all the books and here in our own FAQ it clearly says "no pine" period. It would be helpful then if such sources elaborated on the fact that some pine is ok.
 
I have also used pine with no ill effects. Just watch what you buy.
Some pine is scented to reduce odors, get the unscented stuff!
 
Corny Noob said:
If you look at the time of your post and mine I was writing mine when yours was posted and as a result did not see yours untill after posting mine. I was in no way referring to yours.
But after reading it my question still stands, as in all the books and here in our own FAQ it clearly says "no pine" period. It would be helpful then if such sources elaborated on the fact that some pine is ok.
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Check again I think it might of said pine bark the sap is toxic.
 
Vinman said:
Check again I think it might of said pine bark the sap is toxic.
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Q: What substrates can I use, and which shouldn't I use?
A: Most recommend aspen, as do I. It is cheap, totally safe, and easy to find. Other perfectly acceptable forms of substrate include but are not limited to Reptibark, newspaper, newsprint, paper towels, Eco-earth (or similar substrates like bed-a-beast) and cypress mulch. You should not use cedar, pine, sand, gravel, or astroturf. Cedar and pine are toxic to small animals and the others are either irritating to the snake or harbor bacteria and are very difficult to clean.

In both of the books I have they also mention nothing about pine being safe.
Just n00b confusion on my part apparently.
 
That cleared that up . So your book is wrong. Reptibark never and whitepine is fine look at pic on the net and in books you see all deferent kinds of substrate including white pine. Aspen is the best then fir bedding white pine and cypress mulch I would think is a tie.

What book or web site did this info come from
 
I thought pine was safe but in my original post I guess I was confusing in that I meant I wasn't sure if there was any cedar mixed into the pine shavings as on the bag it states "other woods might be mixed in" or something to that effect.

Guess it's back to Walmart with that stuff. Now to find a place where I can get aspen on the cheap.
 
Vinman said:
That cleared that up . So your book is wrong. Reptibark never and whitepine is fine look at pic on the net and in books you see all deferent kinds of substrate including white pine. Aspen is the best then fir bedding white pine and cypress mulch I would think is a tie.

What book or web site did this info come from
Click to expand...

The previous expert was from our FAQ that Joe wrote right at the top of this board...
And the books were Kathy and Bill Loves and another one that's name escapes me right now...

Which is why I'm so confused XD
 
h0mersimps0n said:
I thought pine was safe but in my original post I guess I was confusing in that I meant I wasn't sure if there was any cedar mixed into the pine shavings as on the bag it states "other woods might be mixed in" or something to that effect.

Guess it's back to Walmart with that stuff. Now to find a place where I can get aspen on the cheap.
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Well don't change your mind just because of me, I have no actual snake experience as of yet and all of my knowledge stems from here and books. I'm just confused as well.

And while it may not exactly be on the cheap end, depending on your budget almost 25lbs of aspen at petco is around $11, don't know if that is an option for you or not.

http://www.petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx?R=3467&Nav=1&N=0&Ntt=aspen+bedding&sku=836826&familyID=10047&
 
Totaly I have pet co around me I will stick to white pine it is about 5 or 6 dollars for a bail . That is the same size that you buy for 11$ I have many snakes which add up after awhile. You will see as time come how many people use pine shaveings. Aspen is still the # 1 choice bedding. Never use reptabark It can kill your snake.
 
h0mersimps0n said:
I thought pine was safe but in my original post I guess I was confusing in that I meant I wasn't sure if there was any cedar mixed into the pine shavings as on the bag it states "other woods might be mixed in" or something to that effect.

Guess it's back to Walmart with that stuff. Now to find a place where I can get aspen on the cheap.
Click to expand...


never use that stuff it killed a bunch of hatchlings of mine . Yo man go to The big red K, K-Mart they have big bails of white pine or go to petco and you can get either white pine or aspen . If you deside to go with the pine go to K-Mart it is cheeper there
 
h0mersimps0n said:
I thought pine was safe but in my original post I guess I was confusing in that I meant I wasn't sure if there was any cedar mixed into the pine shavings as on the bag it states "other woods might be mixed in" or something to that effect.
Click to expand...
Pine shavings, so long as they were kiln dried, are fine. The toxic off-gassing that could present a problem is removed by the drying process. Personally, I use a mixture of half pine, half aspen. My snakes don't like burrowing in straight pine, but will in the mixed. I don't use straight aspen because I don't like the coarse texture.
 
jaxom1957 said:
Pine shavings, so long as they were kiln dried, are fine. The toxic off-gassing that could present a problem is removed by the drying process. Personally, I use a mixture of half pine, half aspen. My snakes don't like burrowing in straight pine, but will in the mixed. I don't use straight aspen because I don't like the coarse texture.
Click to expand...

wow, thanx, I didn't now that it had to be kill dried to let out toxic gases. Just learned something new
 
Just got a large bag of Aspen clearly labeled sent-free, etc + ok for snakes from PetCo $13 ... to reptibark 4 tanks usually costs >$40 so that's a savings right there...

thanks everyone
 
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