Disinfecting Coconut Hides

[wytchling]

I have two coconut shell hides in my BP's enclosure. I was wondering, what is the best way to disinfect them when it comes time for his monthly tank cleaning?

[West Coast Jungle]

I usually soak my wood hides in a 30% bleach solution for a good hour or more. Just make sure to rinse or soak it real good in water afterwards to get the bleach off.

[Aes_Sidhe]

That ^^^ or 350 F in Oven for 15 minutes...

[West Coast Jungle]

That ^^^ or 350 F in Oven for 15 minutes...

That would work too but I don't think my wife would appreciate the kitchen smelling like I'm cooking dirty snake hides, lol Yummy!

There is always boiling water, thats what I used to do when I used cypress mulch as it came with all kinds of buggies.

[wytchling]

I've heard that vinegar is a good disinfectant to and is less likely to hurt the snake than bleach. Any ideas on that?

[West Coast Jungle]

I've heard that vinegar is a good disinfectant to and is less likely to hurt the snake than bleach. Any ideas on that?

Vinegar is a good cleaner but I wouldn't go as far as saying a disenfectant. Bleach kills all germs dead! Bleach is dangerous if applied directly to the animal but the nice thing about it is it dissolves easily in water so it can be rinsed off without issue.

I also use Simple Green D PRO 3 http://www.simplegreen.com/products_pro_3.php

That stuff kills fungus, bacteria you name it! I have several gallons in stock at all times, I get it in Home Depot.

[buddha1200]

wow just bought some coconut shell hides,so this thread is right on time

[wytchling]

Vinegar is a good cleaner but I wouldn't go as far as saying a disenfectant. Bleach kills all germs dead! Bleach is dangerous if applied directly to the animal but the nice thing about it is it dissolves easily in water so it can be rinsed off without issue.

I also use Simple Green D PRO 3 http://www.simplegreen.com/products_pro_3.php

That stuff kills fungus, bacteria you name it! I have several gallons in stock at all times, I get it in Home Depot.

And I would do the Simple Green just like you said earlier with the bleach and water? Soak for awhile then soak for awhile in clean water?

[moony]

i bake my wood and it dusnt smell.just clean it in hot water and put it on an old baking tray

[mestapho]

I usually soak my wood hides in a 30% bleach solution for a good hour or more. Just make sure to rinse or soak it real good in water afterwards to get the bleach off.

That seems awfully strong (30%). I've always read that a dilution of either 1/2 or 1 cup of bleach (unscented plain cheap bleach) to 1 gallon of water.

Also, remember that whatever you disinfect will require around 10 minutes of contact/soaking in the bleach dilution to be effective.