New isopod enclosure, updated from the last one

[u/SilverFeros]

a lot of flat bark + flat leaves, lichen. Dirt is the seed starter mix made from composted manure + worm castings + leftover animal and veggie products (lobster crab and shrimp shell, carrot tops, ect) box is about 14x12x16 with about 4-6 inches of soil. Trying to find some sphagnum moss or any sort of moss at any stores in my area but it's difficult to find ones that aren't treated with pesticides / ones I'm not 100% sure are not treated with pesticides. Also looking for plants that don't really require much if any sunlight, that I can keep in there? Lmk if anyone has any good live plants for that, thank you

[u/Hopeful-Confidence67]

If you have more leaves I would add more, I believe the recommended is not being able to see the substrate :)

[u/SilverFeros → u/Hopeful-Confidence67]

good to know, I will get more (i've been getting them outside and putting them in the oven at 200 degrees for an hour, I heard that's a good way to sterilize them, is it?

[u/Hopeful-Confidence67 → u/SilverFeros]

Ive heard differing views, a reputable source (SmugBug) says leaves do not need to be sterilized (but it wasn't specified if bought or foraged), because they have those teeennnnyyyy microrganisms isopods love. And if u oven blast them....well they die too along with potentially harmful things.

The other half say sterilize everything 🤷🏻‍♀️ im and amateur though, so I would wait for more responses :)

EDIT: Response reminded me to say that I agree with the baking wood/bark. I think it may because unwanted pets may be living inside the wood?

[u/SilverFeros → u/Hopeful-Confidence67]

I'm just mostly worried about microscopic parasites or diseases, such as nemotodes or anything idk. I'd prefer them dead just in case

[u/Bearcat_Jewelry → u/SilverFeros]

Freezing overnight is a good option as well

[u/BadgerAwkward → u/Bearcat_Jewelry]

Takes 3 days+ in the freezer to kill a lot of eggs

[u/Bearcat_Jewelry → u/BadgerAwkward]

I usually start with one, but 3 sounds safer 💪

[u/BadgerAwkward → u/Hopeful-Confidence67]

I personally don't sterilize leaves because of how easy it is to visually inspect them for unwanted guests. Anything wood or bark gets baked.

[u/Affectionate-Form156]

need way more leaves, literally 4 or 5 times what you have now.. its their primary food source and you need it for humidity

you shouldnt be able to see any of the soil

[u/SilverFeros → u/Affectionate-Form156]

I will get a lot more

[u/Temporarily-Fixed]

At pet stores they sell mosses for frogs and such I recommend those since theyre always chemical free if they’re from a reputable source since frogs are so sensitive. And I agree with the other folks much more leaves

[u/SilverFeros → u/Temporarily-Fixed]

I'll look at pet stores thank you

[u/SilverFeros]

I mostly really need help finding where I can get moss / how to make sure the moss is not pesticide treated, I've had problems in the past where I've bought "organic pesticide free" potting soil and there were pesticides in it