"wild" dirt as a substrate a bad idea?

[vafan13]

I've just been using dirt from the garden out back as a substrate. Is this a bad idea? Is it likely to lead to disease/infection?

 

[mrblue]

its fine. i would do the same only the soil in my area has a very high clay content and is not really suitable. but there is no danger. i think some people suggest microwaving soil from outside for a little bit before introducing it, to kill off pests and unwanted bugs and whatnot but thats up to you, i personally dont think it is necessary.

 

[vafan13]

its fine. i would do the same only the soil in my area has a very high clay content and is not really suitable. but there is no danger. i think some people suggest microwaving soil from outside for a little bit before introducing it, to kill off pests and unwanted bugs and whatnot but thats up to you, i personally dont think it is necessary.

Thanks. I might throw it in the micro just to be safe. Certainly won't hurt the dirt.

 

[vafan13]

Thanks. I might throw it in the micro just to be safe. Certainly won't hurt the dirt.

I forgot there was a fresh bag of spagnum moss/soil mix sitting in the garage, so I dumped out the dirt, gave a quick nuke to the spag/soil just to be safe and am now using that instead.

 

[sidewinder]

While I think mrblue is correct, I never quite know what is in my local dirt (animal life, insecticides, etc.). So I always buy substrate. Probably unnecessary, but I feel better about...

S-

 

[Rick]

Not what I would use. I think I would go the paper towel route before that.

 

[darkspeed]

I think Rick is right on about the papar towells. Ease of cleanup is the number one most important thing when raising several mantids. Furthermore, you never know what you are bringing in with wild dirt. i tries a patch of topsoil once, and once it was uder constant warmthe. light and humidity, it sprang to life and went out of control. Fires it erupted with hundreds of tiny insects much to small to be eaten by the adult S.Carolina also enhabiting the enclosure, and then within 24 hours the whole bottom of the enclosure became covered with hairy black mold. Needless to say it was scrapped after that. Rather than microwaving, you could put it in a pan and bake it for an hour at about 350f. That would definitely sterilize it... though it may somehow turn it into a cake

 

[mythal]

I just prefer using fine sand as substrate. Nice looking and cheap enough, and yet not the easiest material for bugs to infest.

 

[sk8erkho]

Nematodes!! When I used soil I found fungus gnats and nematodes in the soil. Ditched it for paper towels but am planning to purchase a rept-terrarium So, i 'll have to do the research for alternatives!

 

[nasty bugger]

I'm currently using a commercial mix, that I thought was peat, that has coir fiber, perlite, earthworm castings, compost seaweed extract and meal, and leonardite ore, that is designed for outdoor gardening and to retain moisture evenly.

I put about a half inch of this in the bottom of a mason jar, with some twigs with leaves off the tree outside, not sure what kind of tree, and sometimes some calcified sand for reptiles.

I cover the jar with a square of washed t shirt and rubber bands.

I just started this hobby earlier this month so I can't vouch for the wholesomeness of this situation, but I figure if they live in the wild they should do fine with this, since it's all organic.

My dudes seem to be doing fine with this.

Can anyone think of any potential, or future problems with using this substrate or total housing situation.

I do like the micro nuke idea though, but I wonder if the mantis' will grow to monstrous proportions and try taking over the city after living on a nuked substrate that hasn't lived out it's half life... Oh no Godzilla... or would that be Mantigod...... Ahhhhhhh (visualize my mouth doesn't match my Ahhhhh, and I'm japanese running through the streets, instead of american) Pure manticide <_< :blink:

 

[tonyi]

I think Rick is right on about the papar towells. Ease of cleanup is the number one most important thing when raising several mantids. Furthermore, you never know what you are bringing in with wild dirt. i tries a patch of topsoil once, and once it was uder constant warmthe. light and humidity, it sprang to life and went out of control. Fires it erupted with hundreds of tiny insects much to small to be eaten by the adult S.Carolina also enhabiting the enclosure, and then within 24 hours the whole bottom of the enclosure became covered with hairy black mold. Needless to say it was scrapped after that. Rather than microwaving, you could put it in a pan and bake it for an hour at about 350f. That would definitely sterilize it... though it may somehow turn it into a cake

I have some experience with rainforest vivarias, the kind of "explosion" you describe is typical for a system that lacks balances. Population explosions are usually only a matter of time. Once they have consumed all the food, they will die off and either disappear entirely or leave a sustainable population. Mold can also appear and then disappear once the system starts to achieve some stability (which will take a month or more). A well-balanced tropical vivarium will depend on a number of invertebrate populations as well as bacteria. It's quite neat when it works. For example, if I put a chunk of mushroom, about the size of my thumb, into my current vivarium it will simply disappear in a few days; no mold, no bad smell. The invertebrates and bacteria break it down.

 

[Rick]

I have some experience with rainforest vivarias, the kind of "explosion" you describe is typical for a system that lacks balances. Population explosions are usually only a matter of time. Once they have consumed all the food, they will die off and either disappear entirely or leave a sustainable population. Mold can also appear and then disappear once the system starts to achieve some stability (which will take a month or more). A well-balanced tropical vivarium will depend on a number of invertebrate populations as well as bacteria. It's quite neat when it works. For example, if I put a chunk of mushroom, about the size of my thumb, into my current vivarium it will simply disappear in a few days; no mold, no bad smell. The invertebrates and bacteria break it down.

I normally use spahgnum moss. Key to this hobby is to keep things simple.

 

[muleyyy]

i use vermiculate, it holds moisture well and is clean

paper towels are a good idea except for if you use crickets or roaches to feed... they hide between the bits of paper towel where the mantis wont go!!! the same goes for fruit flies too, its ok if you keep it quite wet, but as it dries it warps and creates gaps, plus it doesn't look as nice as vermiculate, peat, spag moss or cocoa fibers.

out of the specialist substrates though, vermiculate is the cheapest where i live, you can even get it in garden stores (though the pet shop stuff is better as its a finer grade)

 

[tnienhaus]

i use vermiculate, it holds moisture well and is cleanpaper towels are a good idea except for if you use crickets or roaches to feed... they hide between the bits of paper towel where the mantis wont go!!! the same goes for fruit flies too, its ok if you keep it quite wet, but as it dries it warps and creates gaps, plus it doesn't look as nice as vermiculate, peat, spag moss or cocoa fibers.

out of the specialist substrates though, vermiculate is the cheapest where i live, you can even get it in garden stores (though the pet shop stuff is better as its a finer grade)

Good point about the paper towel with pinheads (crickets). I have had the problem with crickets even chewing through the plastic mesh on the sides of my enclosure ....stupid pinheads