Really bizarre habitat problem

[finaldecember]

This happened late last night and I just now had a chance to post. When I went to check on Maja and make sure the temp in her habitat was alright before I went to bed, I noticed the "soil" (it's that coconut bark stuff that comes in compressed bricks) looked a little funny. I looked closer and guess what it was? ANTS.

Somehow, ants had gotten into the habitat and were starting to make a nest in one corner. I'm pretty sure this wasn't the best idea, but I decided to immediately change the "soil" so I could get rid of the ants that were already there. Before I put the new stuff in, I sprayed some orange oil on the outside of the tank and around the general area, since that's the most natural ant repellant/killer I know of.

As far as I can tell, it's the "soil" that they were attracted to, but I'm not sure what else I could use for Maja's habitat. Any suggestions? I know I can't use cedar and cypress seems to be absolutely non-existant around here (believe me, I've looked). What I'm thinking of doing is maybe using the same kind of fluffy stuff that I use in Nikita, Lucy, and Sadie's cages, then getting a slightly larger water dish (if I do in fact need to keep a water dish in there).

[GartersRock]

Interesting. lol!

I personally use paper towels. With so many snakes it came to a point where cleanliness and ease of cleaning where more important then looks.
But having only one snake... Some of the other members may be able to recommend something?

[zooplan]

Whats about care fresh?
I don´t like it because it looks so much like in a laboratory but it should be another option.
Maybe you´ve solved your problem yet and don´t need a change.

[rwgsnakes]

i use regular top soil, $1.49 for a 40lb bag. It allows you to grow live plants in your habitats. Although, first i cook the dirt because i have encountered bugs coming out of the dirt, as long as you dont mind the smell of cooked dirt its great.

[finaldecember]

Whats about care fresh?
I don´t like it because it looks so much like in a laboratory but it should be another option.
Maybe you´ve solved your problem yet and don´t need a change.

Care Fresh is the stuff I use for my hamsters. Well, different brand from what I use, but same stuff basically. I might try that next time I clean her habitat and just see how she handles it. Maja likes to dig around and hide.

[finaldecember]

i use regular top soil, $1.49 for a 40lb bag. It allows you to grow live plants in your habitats. Although, first i cook the dirt because i have encountered bugs coming out of the dirt, as long as you dont mind the smell of cooked dirt its great.

I used to have a dirt scented candle, so that would be no problem for me! But .... how do you cook dirt? I didn't even know you could do that.

[Stefan-A]

It's easy when you have a sauna.

[rwgsnakes]

my mom wouldnt let me use her pans so i bought myself a 13'' X 9" X 1" pan (mines glass)

just put in some top soil, dont fill it all the way...i cook it at 350 for 15 mins, every 5 mins taking it out to mix it around...then just let cool until its room temp. and start creating a sick inclosure.



hope this helps,
Justin

[finaldecember]

I am so trying that when I can get a bit of money together. Well, the dirt part anyway. If I used live plants, I'd probably kill them since I have no idea how I would take care of them in an environment like that. But thanks for the pic. Gives me an idea of what I should probably change around. Maja's habitat kind of looks like that, but backwards. :x

[infernalis]

If you bake it, dirt can be free, just take a shovel and bucket out into the country, and DIG

Shaved Aspen is pretty cheap too, sold at pet stores and attractive also.

good luck.