Mold in isopod enclosure!

[SkittlesTheJumpingSpider]

Hey everyone. Recently, the leaves in my isopod enclosure molded. I removed most (I accidently left one, which I will remove soon), but they need leaves in their diet, and every time I try adding new leaves (Which I sterilize), they just mold! And, now their substrate has mold! I can't change the substrate, because the babies burrow in it, and I have no idea what to do!

I've tried adding more air holes, but still, MOLD!

Please help, I don't know what to do!

Thanks,
-SkittlesTheJumpingSpider

 

[jrh3]

Do you have springtails in with them? I keep springtails with my cubaris isopods and they normally keep it clean. I have recently added chicken poop to see how it worked, they have ate half of it and half has molded over a little but the springtails are still eating it.

I have also added some freeze dried BSF larvae and they have devoured them.

I think springtails will fix your issue.

 

[SkittlesTheJumpingSpider]

Do you have springtails in with them? I keep springtails with my cubaris isopods and they normally keep it clean. I have recently added chicken poop to see how it worked, they have ate half of it and half has molded over a little but the springtails are still eating it.

I have also added some freeze dried BSF larvae and they have devoured them.

I think springtails will fix your issue.

Thank you for the reply! I don't have springtails with them, but I'll definitely look into getting them. Thank you!

 

[Albireo Wulfbooper]

They grow mould BECAUSE you sterilize them.

I know that sounds counterintuitive, but I'll explain. There are mould spores everywhere in the environment - drifting around in the air all the time. The only reason every organic surface isn't completely covered in mould growth is because there are a ton of other microbes - bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc - also on those surfaces, so there's a ton of competition for space and nutrients. Many microbes even produce compounds that inhibit the growth of their competitors. So when you sterilize your leaves, you're killing off all the competition. The first mould spore to land there after it's been sterilized now has free rein to take over completely. Hence, you get overgrowth of a single species, which turns into a big fuzzy mess.

Instead of sterilizing your leaves, you can simply wash them in clean water, rubbing them gently to remove any eggs that may be on them. This will ensure no predators or parasites are being introduced to your enclosure without promoting mould growth.

 

[SkittlesTheJumpingSpider]

They grow mould BECAUSE you sterilize them.

I know that sounds counterintuitive, but I'll explain. There are mould spores everywhere in the environment - drifting around in the air all the time. The only reason every organic surface isn't completely covered in mould growth is because there are a ton of other microbes - bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc - also on those surfaces, so there's a ton of competition for space and nutrients. Many microbes even produce compounds that inhibit the growth of their competitors. So when you sterilize your leaves, you're killing off all the competition. The first mould spore to land there after it's been sterilized now has free rein to take over completely. Hence, you get overgrowth of a single species, which turns into a big fuzzy mess.

Instead of sterilizing your leaves, you can simply wash them in clean water, rubbing them gently to remove any eggs that may be on them. This will ensure no predators or parasites are being introduced to your enclosure without promoting mould growth.

Thank you so much for the VERY detailed reply! I've been extremely stressed about this mold, and your response is very helpful! I will definitely try this! Thank you!