Odors even after cleaning?

Okay, so I am having some minor issues with odor in my snake rack. My snakes are growing, and so they are producing lots of waste. I have been using paper towels, and after every pee or poo I take all the towels out, spray and wipe with healthy habitat, spray my disenfectant (zoo med wipe out) wipe, repeat with healthy habitat again. Even so, I still get some odor that smells like snake pee. I am thinking that the issue might be lack of ventilation, I have no holes in my tubs, just the gap for ventilation. Anybody have any idea why my tubs are still so smelly?

Thanks,

The healthy habitat should be removing most of the odors. Are you allowing it to sit for 10-15 minutes before wiping it up? (same with the disinfectant?)

I would consider getting a more effective disinfectant like chlorhexidine or F10: http://www.reptilebasics.com/cleaning-products

Proper ventilation is important for reasons beyond smelly tubs. How humid do your tubs stay?

Not sure on the exact humidity, but I have had perfect sheds and no health issues thus far. I should probably invest in a hygrometer. Will look into getting some F10, not sure if I can get it shipped to CA though... I haven't been letting the healthy habitat sit, that might do the trick. Thanks!

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Originally Posted by brobertson

Not sure on the exact humidity, but I have had perfect sheds and no health issues thus far. I should probably invest in a hygrometer. Will look into getting some F10, not sure if I can get it shipped to CA though... I haven't been letting the healthy habitat sit, that might do the trick. Thanks!

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My guess is that your humidity is a little on the high side, which will help to promote odors.

I too would suggest better ventilation. low ventilation can lead to all kinds of issues. Are you following the instructions very carefully on the disinfectant? Bacteria causes odours so either the disinfectant isn't doing its job or you have excessive buildup. Are you disinfecting the body of the rack as well? This is also part of cleaning. I have only used healthy habitat as a post treatment or odour control of garbage. never a 'cleaner' there are a lot of soap products cheaper that work super well. Hot soapy water and scrubbing, rinse carefully, dry, then disinfectant (following instructions esp contact times ) most are 10-30 min (usually saturated, dripping wet) then remove the excess (or rinse depending of chemical) and finished.

My guess is you have not allow enough contact time or enough liquid for the chemical to work. As well as poor ventilation. I use the one hour yard stick if you pull the water bowl and snake the tub should return to the RH of the room in under one hour. One air change per hour is low.