Related to tarantula substrate

[SuleymanC]

Is it bad to use the substrate you already used for 1 of the tarantula?

 

[KezyGLA]

I recycle with most OW species as long as looks clean and nothing nasty

 

[SuleymanC]

I recycle with most OW species as long as looks clean and nothing nasty

Will old molts be problem?

 

[TownesVanZandt]

Will old molts be problem?

Why don´t you simply remove the moults?

 

[Chris LXXIX]

What do you mean, exactly? To use again (so basically recycling) the substrate you had for years of a Theraphosidae that, example, died of old age or else, for a "brand new" purchased completely different one?

Or you are talking about the case of a re-house for the same spider, so adding in the new enclosure his/her old substrate?

I'd prefer to change the substrate always, anyway.

 

[ledzeppelin]

I reuse substrate but I sort of sift if through to remove any boli and such.. Also I make sure that it's from a healthy spider.

 

[TownesVanZandt]

I reuse substrate but I sort of sift if through to remove any boli and such.. Also I make sure that it's from a healthy spider.

Even for NWs? I can imagine the urticating hairs being a problem, but I don´t reuse substrate, except for the same spider when it needs a bigger enclosure.

 

[Red Eunice]

When rehousing I use new sub each time, topsoil is "cheap".

 

[ledzeppelin]

Even for NWs? I can imagine the urticating hairs being a problem, but I don´t reuse substrate, except for the same spider when it needs a bigger enclosure.

Oh, sorry I should have specified. I do OW to OW only

 

[ledzeppelin]

i never really thought about what harm could there be if urticating hairs were in NW enclosures? I avoid them solely for precaution, but what could happen tho? I've never heard of a T having problems due to urticating hairs.. I mean, where could they pose problems? booklungs? that's about the only thing I can think of .

 

[TownesVanZandt]

i never really thought about what harm could there be if urticating hairs were in NW enclosures? I avoid them solely for precaution, but what could happen tho? I've never heard of a T having problems due to urticating hairs.. I mean, where could they pose problems? booklungs? that's about the only thing I can think of .

Hmmm, I have never thought it through, but always just assumed that urticating hairs from one species might cause some trouble for a different species. It might just be me being paranoid about urticating hairs, also . I can´t stand them.

 

[The Grym Reaper]

I've reused substrate from NW species and not had any problems. I'd assume the hairs, being organic material, would break down over time anyway. I only bin substrate if it's really bad or if the T was unhealthy.

 

[Arachnomaniac19]

i never really thought about what harm could there be if urticating hairs were in NW enclosures? I avoid them solely for precaution, but what could happen tho? I've never heard of a T having problems due to urticating hairs.. I mean, where could they pose problems? booklungs? that's about the only thing I can think of .

The different types of urticating hairs might affect animals with an exoskeleton differently. I know that some hairs hardly affect people (Ephebopus I think), while other hairs make it seem like you've been eaten by a giant mosquito (Theraphosa). Since they've evovled as a predation detering mechanism, and lots of predators are other spiders, I'd be surprised if there wasn't a hair type that affected them.

 

[Devin B]

I would perfer to change the substrate simply because I like to make my enclosures a little unique for each T. I just think its easier to start from the ground up. Also like others have said top soil is cheap.

 

[Charlie69]

Even if the hair doesn't hurt the newcomer. Can't they sense the previous animal and get stressed, feeling another t so close?

 

[Nightstalker47]

Even if the hair doesn't hurt the newcomer. Can't they sense the previous animal and get stressed, feeling another t so close?

Good point, especially if theres any webbing left in the old sub. I'm sure the new T would think it's intruding on another's territory.

I personally don't re use substrate, but that's just cause I like to give them a fresh start, nice clean new home.

 

[KezyGLA]

When rehousing I use new sub each time, topsoil is "cheap".

Its also heavy, and I dont own a car

 

[Ellenantula]

I always just use new substrate. Fairly cheap stuff and a lot less work than sifting through used substrate for previous tenant's old moults, boluses (Boli?) and poop.
Really, I can't imagine taking the time to clean an enclosure and then not start with fresh substrate for new inhabitant.

 

[kevinlowl]

I can't believe people reuse substrate with all the poop and food scrap mixed in from a previous T. No wonder I hear stories of mushrooms growing.

 

[Ungoliant]

Is it bad to use the substrate you already used for 1 of the tarantula?

I only change the substrate when I rehouse, so I always use fresh substrate. The substrate I use is not so expensive that I would ever sift through old substrate to recycle it, especially considering that it may have been in use for a long time.

An interesting question would be how tarantulas would react to the pheromones/silk of another tarantula so thoroughly mixed into the substrate.