Any cleaning tricks for cypress mulch?

[dkspftw]

I keep two (soon to be 4) AP T8s with cypress mulch bedding. When I do a full cleaning, I remove all the bedding by hand using work gloves so as to not prick myself, and usually scoop it up into garbage bags I insert into the cage for the purpose of not spilling.

Afterwards, I spray the cage down with F10 SCXD followed by F10 SC with washing of water in-between and after. I also spray down all the "furniture" and water dishes similarly during this process.

The part that takes forever and is usually messy is the actual removal of the mulch. And it's difficult to get it all out, as it sticks to the silicon that seals the AP cage.

Is there a trick to this? My process usually takes nearly 3 hours for just 2 snakes, so I have to assume people with dozens or hundreds have a more efficient method. Or do they all use paper or carpet or something?

I tried looking in the forums and on youtube a bit but didn't come up with anything in my initial search.

Thanks!

[John1982]

I keep two (soon to be 4) AP T8s with cypress mulch bedding. When I do a full cleaning, I remove all the bedding by hand using work gloves so as to not prick myself, and usually scoop it up into garbage bags I insert into the cage for the purpose of not spilling.

Afterwards, I spray the cage down with F10 SCXD followed by F10 SC with washing of water in-between and after. I also spray down all the "furniture" and water dishes similarly during this process.

The part that takes forever and is usually messy is the actual removal of the mulch. And it's difficult to get it all out, as it sticks to the silicon that seals the AP cage.

Is there a trick to this? My process usually takes nearly 3 hours for just 2 snakes, so I have to assume people with dozens or hundreds have a more efficient method. Or do they all use paper or carpet or something?

I tried looking in the forums and on youtube a bit but didn't come up with anything in my initial search.

Thanks!

Those with hundreds or even dozens typically use a rack/tub system so it's as easy as sliding the tub out and dumping it in the trash. Have you considered a shop-vac?

[jclaiborne]

I have a mini shop vac and a little dust buster that I use to suck up the left over substrate that I didn't get with my scoop.

[dkspftw]

Right, I sort of assumed as much and that makes sense.

No I have not. I've got a wet-dry vac I got from home depot in case of a fish tank emergency, but I assume you mean something different? I'm a hardware noob so if you have a link or name of a product that would be extra helpful. I imagine it'd have to be pretty hardcore to suck up actual cypress chips, though, no?

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I have a mini shop vac and a little dust buster that I use to suck up the left over substrate that I didn't get with my scoop.

What kind of scoop do you use? I tried using like, a cat litter scooper and it didn't work so well.

[jclaiborne]

Right, I sort of assumed as much and that makes sense.

No I have not. I've got a wet-dry vac I got from home depot in case of a fish tank emergency, but I assume you mean something different? I'm a hardware noob so if you have a link or name of a product that would be extra helpful. I imagine it'd have to be pretty hardcore to suck up actual cypress chips, though, no?

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What kind of scoop do you use? I tried using like, a cat litter scooper and it didn't work so well.

This is the dust buster I use: http://www.google.com/imgres?sa=X&bi...ed=0CGQQrQMwAw

and this is the mini shop vac: http://www.google.com/imgres?biw=134...ed=0CHAQrQMwCg

For the scoop I was in a hurry one day and I grabbed one of my sons plastic shovels that we had in a beach bag and use that, it works perfect.

[Thalasuchus]

I've used regular dustpans to scoop up substrate while cleaning out enclosures before, whether you want to use the brush or not is up to you--I never did. I think they're easier since they're wide and pick up a lot at a time, as opposed to litter scoops. As for leftover scraps in the corners, a shop vac is probably a good idea unless you can pick them up with a wet paper towel (easier to do with dry eco earth than mulch).

I don't know anything about hardware either I just use dumb household objects.

[dkspftw]

This is the dust buster I use: http://www.google.com/imgres?sa=X&bi...ed=0CGQQrQMwAw

and this is the mini shop vac: http://www.google.com/imgres?biw=134...ed=0CHAQrQMwCg

For the scoop I was in a hurry one day and I grabbed one of my sons plastic shovels that we had in a beach bag and use that, it works perfect.

Oh that's a great idea! I should hit up a 99 cent store and get some beach toys haha.

[Tragic Image]

looks like you're on your way to a good solution, but we use something very similar to this.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Carrand-Du...Broom/22691988

[BumbleB]

My solution after completely cleaning out my t8 of aspen a couple times was to just switch to paper towels lol the vacuum idea is definitely the best thing I could think of