Cleaning help

[Lferg]

This is never really mentioned in the caresheets but I have heard it referenced to in threads many times. Can someone just kinda do an over view of basic cleaning of the enclosure? As in how often, how to disinfect, do I change all the substrate, what products to use, ect. And if there is a link to this info and I've just been blind to it, point that out. I might feel like a dork, but at least I'll know.

[Skittles1101]

I spot clean as needed (poo/pee). I remove it with paper towels, then disinfect the spot (bottom of the tank) with a Clorox wipe, wipe down with a wet paper towel, dry then replace substrate. Once every other month I completely clean out and disinfect with bleach/water solution. A lot of people use Healthy Habitat (found on reptile store sites, here's what it looks like http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...m?pcatid=11299)
Or you can use Chlorhexadine, which I will probably be switching to in the near future (http://www.reptilebasics.com/cleaning-products)

For my tubs, I just remove newspaper, rinse, disinfect, rinse, dry and replace newspaper

[TheWinWizard]

Leah, buy the Chlorhexadine from here. Same stuff, much cheaper. http://www.amazon.com/First-Priority...7996935&sr=8-2

[Skittles1101]

Leah, buy the Chlorhexadine from her. Same stuff, much cheaper. http://www.amazon.com/First-Priority...7996935&sr=8-2

WOW...thank you!

[Lferg]

No no big then. Just spot clean as needed and do a good cleaning every 4-6 weeks, sweet I can put my snakes on the same schedule as our small furries. Thanks, I'd thank your comment but my phone won't let me

[kitedemon]

A quick comment healthy habitat is an enzyme system and takes days to clean, think of it as a finishing agent not as a cleaner.

Cleaning is a simple process. There are 3 parts, mechanical cleaning first You need to remove any surface stuff, soap and water with a good dose of elbow grease. You cannot skip scrubbing there are no chemical cleaners I know of that will work with any human detectable dirt. So just scrub it clean first.

The next step is a sanitizing treatment, chlorine bleach at 10% can work but it MUST be fully washed off, D12, Chlorahexidine as well works it must be mixed before each use. hydrogen peroxide and its derivative compounds also works well but is unstable, boiling water, but is hard to get in quantity, stream, needs gear, baking and a whole grab bag of other chemicals are also on the market. CHG (aka, chlorahexidine), bleach, heat systems, and peroxide being quite common. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. I personally use steam and CHG, actually CHG and steam. The thing to remember with chemical sanitizing is it takes time. Anything strong enough to kill bad stuff on contact instantly is bad for you and your snakes too. Typically 20 min of contact time. Spray on and wash with no wait in between does next to nothing.

The last step is not always needed but using either an enzyme or chemical that has a residual action. Care must be taken to make sure that it is safe for the snake! Typically healthy habitat or CHG is often used as it can be sprayed on and left it will not harm the animals in direct contact with it. Personally I use a light dusting with Healthy habitat.

This is a full clean some people schedule it but I personally do not. I use my nose to tell me. If the enclosure smells of anything other than clean fresh with a hint of earthy (coco coir substrate smells like fresh turned earth to me.) it is time to change. Some times that is quickly if it more humid than normal and the snake is defecating more than normal. The soonest for me has been a few weeks. Sometimes it is longer than normal being the snake is refusing meals and not very active and it is dryer than normal (winter during the breeding season) they can go a bit longer 2 months and maybe on the extreme outside 3. The average is about 1 month but your nose will tell you. Don't look in and think gee that smells musty and old but hey it is fine it has only been 2 weeks if it smells bad it is time period.

Spot cleaning is different it is just that removing soiled substrate in a spot around the dirty bit and leaving only clean substrate assuming that the floor of the enclosure and any items that may have been soiled too have been washed or wiped clean too. Spot cleaning is a daily operation. If you use newspaper there is no spot cleaning just full cleans. It can get time consuming when you have well hydrated snakes and they pee every 3 days.

I hope this helps!

[PitOnTheProwl]

Leah, buy the Chlorhexadine from here. Same stuff, much cheaper. http://www.amazon.com/First-Priority...7996935&sr=8-2

X2 and nice find!!

[TheWinWizard]

X2 and nice find!!

Indeed, I'm not rich either.