Re-using substrate?

squibbleee

Arachnosquire
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Sep 18, 2024
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If you saw my recent thread about my C. Spinigerus dying, this is about the same one. I bought her around end of October, and lost her a couple days ago. She was a very small one and only lived a few months, but my question is, is it safe to re-use the substrate for a different millepede if i got one? Or would i replace all of it. Only cause i spent so much on the substrate and she only lived a bit. Should i not re-use any of the substrate, leaves, and bark? Thanks for any answers.
 

PillipedeBreeder

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Sep 11, 2021
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87
Hello,
if you can‘t pinpoint the death to something like an disease or infection, I would inspect the substrate to be sure, if fine freeze it for atleast a week and then use it again.

Best regards
 

Andrew Clayton

Arachnodemon
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Dec 19, 2018
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Hello,
if you can‘t pinpoint the death to something like an disease or infection, I would inspect the substrate to be sure, if fine freeze it for atleast a week and then use it again.

Best regards
Why would freezing do anything? Just curious, as far as I know freezing would just make whatever it is dormant it will not kill it so when it's back up to temperature it will thrive again.
 

squibbleee

Arachnosquire
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Sep 18, 2024
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Hello,
if you can‘t pinpoint the death to something like an disease or infection, I would inspect the substrate to be sure, if fine freeze it for atleast a week and then use it again.

Best regards
alright! I do not know why she died, she was just eating and being friendly about a week before she disappeared, and i dont know how soon she died after she dissappeared. So i do not know what killed her 🤷‍♀️
 

Glorfindel

Arachnoknight
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Feb 15, 2024
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handling and disturbing these animals can cause problems.
 

squibbleee

Arachnosquire
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handling and disturbing these animals can cause problems.
I only handled her 3 times since i have had her, and she crawled onto me on purpose everytime, and i have only lifted up the bark to find her a couple times when she was missing for long periods just to make sure she was ok, i made sure to not bug her, so i don't know what caused it. But if i get another i would make sure to just be extra careful
 

Ratmosphere

Arachnoking
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You can always try heat treating the substrate, although it kills beneficial microbes.
 

Brewser

RebAraneae
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Nov 28, 2023
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Any Indicator Species living within the Substrate will give an idea as to environmental condition.
Springtails etc.
 
Last edited:

Kada

Arachnobaron
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May 17, 2023
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567
I go by the old saying in mushroom farming. When in doubt, throw it out.

Or use it for something else (terrarium, house plants etc).
 
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