Reptibark

[EasternGirl]

I know a lot of members use reptibark for substrate. I used it before and decided to recently switch back to it. I noticed that the bark in reptibark and other bark substrates is made from pine. We have discussed pine and wood from other conifers being dangerous because of the aromatic oils that the snake can breathe. So is reptibark safe or not?

[chris-uk]

Isn't the Reptibark heat treated, or processed in a way to remove the harmful stuff?

[Natrix]

Heat treating will only remove the micro-organisms it won't render potentially harmful toxins in the bark sap/oils safe. I would play safe and stick with what you know to be safe, look good and do the job. 'If it ain't broke, Don't fix it'. ;)

[kibakiba]

If it's cured, the oils should eventually evaporate.

[EasternGirl]

So I don't know what to do here guys...lots of people use reptibark but members also say pine is bad. I have reptibark in my tanks right now. Should I take it out or what?

[guidofatherof5]

I would say no. Too many people using it without apparent issues.
Then email the manufacturer and ask some questions.
I know nothing about the product and have never used it.

[EasternGirl]

Emailing is a good idea. I have not noticed Cee Cee having any breathing trouble with it....whereas the dust from the carefresh was making her wheeze, which is why I stopped using it. The aspen was very splintery and made me nervous...there is a better aspen I can get if I need to...but they seem to like the reptibark...so if it is safe, I would like to stick with it.

[kibakiba]

I'd say it's safe... It is safe if you let the wood cure over a few months, and the heat would actually evaporate the oils, at least to some extent.

[InsanePirateDragon]

I know I use the same stuff too and used it in the past with Leos and I never had any trouble than beside getting a bit yucky after a tipped over waterbowl. And I thought that it was made from fur bark and not pine.

[kibakiba]

Fir is bad too.

[Natrix]

If I could get the Aspen pellets over here I would. but for now carefresh will do the job.

[EasternGirl]

I went around to several stores and checked all the different barks that I could find...Reptibark, and all of the similar barks from other companies...they are all made from pine. I used to like carefresh, but it makes Cee Cee wheeze and it's really expensive.