Sterilising Substrate - Fungus Problem???

[Robert Farmer]

Hi all, after finding that Coir/Vermic mix seems to be drying out too quickly I changed 2 of my T's to a top soil/vermic mixture, which I didn't sterilise.

2 days after the change I noticed 2 small patches of what looked like white cotton (a mould or fungus of some sort I imagine?) in the tanks, and the soil mix wasn't exactly waterlogged!

I've since taken the mix out and microwaved to see if this will remedy the problem.

Any advice on prevention of growths, or indeed what the white cotton like substance is?

And if microwaving subs how long would you recommend heating it for?

Ventilation in both tanks is good, so I don't think that is the problem.

[lee smith]

the fluffy growth is mould, the way i keep it from forming is to microwave for 10mins then i keep a few woodlice in with the T, the woodlice eat any mould that forms and also eats the T poop.

[Colin D Wilson]

Yep, Lee's right on track...
I find that microwaving substrate is the best thing for steralisation.
freezing wood and cork bark for 24 hrs seems to work just as well as microwaving. 12 woodlice in a 12x 12 (floor space) tank works a treat, as a bonus i find they eat mite eggs too.

[Robert Farmer]

Good good, now where can I find some sterile woodlice

And some arboreal woodlice for the pokies, as they seem to enjoy grafittiing their tank walls with faecal matter...

Seriously though, is there anywhere online I can buy some lice from?

[Colin D Wilson]

just get them from a garden or woodlands that hasn't had any chemicals near. used woodlice from these sources for years with no problems.

[Robert Farmer]

Excellent, I think I'll go a foragin' soon!

[Colin D Wilson]

there's two colours of wood lice mainly, the dull grey ones and the larger mottled brown and light grey "shinier" ones....go for the larger ones they seem to do the job better.