PAM queston

[blueberrypancakes]

I am switching to tubs. I have them heating up right now, and they are doing so quite nicely... anyways, I wanted to pre-treat for mites, so I sprayed PAM on the towels I am going to use as substrate. I've had them hanging outside to ventilate for about three hours now, but (if I sniff them) I can still smell the PAM on them. I'm really weary of putting my snakes in with them if I can smell it... how can I be sure they're safe?

Oh, I got my rack today, by the way! That's what prompted moving day for Jacks and Brad. Jackson is going to his new home, and Brad is going to a QT tub.

[angllady2]

I'm not sure sweetie. I always spray the tubs themselves, but not the aspen I use. You can smell it a little bit if you stick your head in the tub, but I've not had a problem yet.

I think as long as it is thoroughly dry, it should be ok.

Gale

[blueberrypancakes]

Hmm... I was going to spray the tubs and then thought better of it 'cause it says not to spray directly onto enclosure. I might just leave them in their tanks one more day and let that sit overnight. I mean, I am notorious for overthinking everything, I'm sure it's no big deal, but it's freaking me out a little that I can smell it... Sigh. Do you think five or six hours is long enough to let it ventilate?

[kitedemon]

I would not suggest 'sniffing' P-A-M it is a human carcinogen you should be avoiding 'smell' of it period. It is poison somehow many seem to forget.

[Domepiece]

The smell doesnt matter, its the fumes. If youve had them airing out for 3 hours and they are dry then they are definately fine. I would not recommend spraying directly onto the tubs, that is not the correct way as you pointed out. Also why would you do this as a preventative if you have had no mites, why risk putting a poison in with your snakes if you dont have to, PAM is safe if used correctly but still. Either way, goodluck.

[satomi325]

I too spray the tubs directly and I've never had a problem. I started a similar thread in the past and about everyone who commented does the same. I let PAM air out for an hour. It's good to treat all new snakes.
I wouldn't use PAM on a regular basis as a preventative measure, but there are a few members here who treat their tubs once a month like dogs with flea medication.

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[blueberrypancakes]

The guy who built the rack for me (and got the tubs) has about twenty snakes himself, so I cleaned everything and wanted to treat just in case. He seems like a great guy who really cares for his snakes, but it's easier to prevent, I suppose. I'm just a worrier...
I don't use PAM regularly, just when there's mites or I change the enclosure. Or with new snakes.

[kitedemon]

Just don't forget that it is a poison. In another form it was used to kill snakes (brown snakes on guam) It has lots of names but it is a variation of phenol what you find in cedar wood. (hmm natural insecticide) The common name isn't very scary but one of the proper chemical names is

3-Phenoxybenzyl 3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate

The problem I have with it is "The toxicological properties of this substance have not been fully investigated." innocent until proven guilty. The sad part is it will take multiple deaths over a lot of years to prove that there is a danger, the evidence is supporting carcinogen developmental problems and who knows what else.

I am not saying don't use it but treat it with the respect it deserves and look around it is banned from sale in places in the USA and europe and restricted in lots of others. RESPECT use it only when needed. Be careful it might bite back someday. Trust me I know from experience (sadly) that questionable and not fully investigated is not the the same as safe to use.

For your own sake be cautious!