From: Sporkman 
Newsgroups: misc.consumers.frugal-living misc.consumers.house
Subject: Re: I'm suddenly alone needing house advice
Date: Tue, 21 Sep 2004 11:28:03 -0400

Serendipity wrote:
...(clip)...
> > 2. I have noticed some insects. As a child I remember
> > all the pet stores used cedar chips with the puppies
> > because it drove away all insects from the cages. Can
> > you still buy cedar chips anywhere? I love the smell!
> 
> Where ever they sell hamsters :)

Yep.  Poor hamsters.  The volatile oils in the cedar slowly kill the
little critters.  They'll only last a couple of months in cedar.  Pine
is the same, but less toxic to them.  Aspen is the kind recommended, or
chips that have been kilned specifically to rid them of the oils.