Allergy to coco coir substrate

[Corrie]

Have been using Cyco coco coir platinum series, what would be the best alternative substrate for fossorial and terrestrial tarantulas if owner has allergy to coco coir?

 

[Jess S]

Peat moss, top soil, can be mixed with vermiculite and/or a little sand to add in water absorption and retention.

 

[Rigor Mortis]

Big 'ol bag of this from your local Lowe's Depot and peat moss without any plant food in it.

 

[Corrie]

Peat moss, top soil, can be mixed with vermiculite and/or a little sand to add in water absorption and retention.

Thank you

 

[Dorifto]

Get the cheapest topsoil you can find. Check that is pesticide and fertilizer free and go for it. I won´t add any vermiculite to it, it keeps very well the humidity and more important more homogeneously, unless you need a very moist substrate. If you need a more compact substrate, you can add a little bit of clay based substrate to it, and press it firmly.

 

[Poonjab]

What are your symptoms when you’re around coco coir?

 

[The Grym Reaper]

Topsoil, sedge peat, sphagnum peat moss.

 

[Jess S]

One thing that occurs to me is are you sure you're reacting to the coir and not to tarantula hairs. If t's only a small sling you have then I'd think it unlikely, but I guess some people can be more sensitive than others.
However, I'm sure it is also possible to be allergic to coir, as people can have an allergy to almost anything.
Just something I thought worth mentioning.

 

[Corrie]

One thing that occurs to me is are you sure you're reacting to the coir and not to tarantula hairs. If t's only a small sling you have then I'd think it unlikely, but I guess some people can be more sensitive than others.
However, I'm sure it is also possible to be allergic to coir, as people can have an allergy to almost anything.
Just something I thought worth mentioning.

Thank you for your feedback, I have three t’s now all of which are still slings and are in acrylic enclosures. Got my first one the end of May this year. Then beginning of June I started developing a cough, which doctors have tried to treat and also ruled out pneumonia and COVID, frustrating it’s still been an ongoing issue and I felt maybe I should switch the substrate since the only thing new in my home is my T’s.

 

[Corrie]

What are your symptoms when you’re around coco coir?

I’m not certain I am allergic, but it’s the only thing new in my home besides my T’s. Just felt maybe I may need to switch substrate to rule it out, since I’ve been having asthma symptoms since June.