Enclosure Cleaning

My ball python poops once every 2-3 meals and urates about once a meal (every 7-9 days). He only uses the bathroom in the same spot in the enclosure (or sometimes on me lol). Since he only dirties the same spot, could I just clean that half of the enclosure instead of taking everything out and cleaning the entire thing? He only poops inside his left hide, so I was planning on just taking out the left side substrate, left hide, and spray that side. I’d do this like 3 or so cleanings, then maybe like twice a year clean the entire enclosure. Could I do this? If not why not?
Thanks!


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What kind of substrate are you using? Most just spot clean as needed and replace the substrate completely every other month or so


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Originally Posted by EthanMG

My ball python poops once every 2-3 meals and urates about once a meal (every 7-9 days). He only uses the bathroom in the same spot in the enclosure (or sometimes on me lol). Since he only dirties the same spot, could I just clean that half of the enclosure instead of taking everything out and cleaning the entire thing? He only poops inside his left hide, so I was planning on just taking out the left side substrate, left hide, and spray that side. Plus, it seems like they’d like to have they’re scent still in the enclosure to feel more safe. I’d do this like 3 or so cleanings, then maybe like twice a year clean the entire enclosure. Could I do this? If not why not?
Thanks!


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Originally Posted by Snow Balls

What kind of substrate are you using? Most just spot clean as needed and replace the substrate completely every other month or so


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I’m using mixture of reptichip and Forrest floor. Yes, I know that’s what most people do, but I was wondering if instead of cleaning all the substrate out and washing decor, could I just clean the decor/ substrate that is on the side where he poops. Not once has he pooped anywhere else in his enclosure.


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I spot clean at times also, unless they've managed to slide thru it & track it all over, lol. Some of my snakes deliberately defecate in their water bowl, & some leave "their gifts" inside their old skins when they shed- even better!- if only they'd do that more often.

Spot cleaning only goes so far, if the substrate has been widely contaminated. But sometimes you just cannot drop what you're doing & clean the whole enclosure- in that case, spot cleaning for the time being is best, & do the full treatment as soon as possible. Just remember that our snakes are trapped within- to keep them healthy, keep them as clean as possible.

You definitely don't have to clear out all the substrate each time you clean - most people spot clean the majority of the time, which is removing just the soiled substrate and a small area around it and only cleaning the enclosure items that are dirty. However I would recommend deep cleaning the enclosure (take all the substrate out and wash or disinfect everything) at least every 1-3 months.

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Originally Posted by Luvyna

You definitely don't have to clear out all the substrate each time you clean - most people spot clean the majority of the time, which is removing just the soiled substrate and a small area around it and only cleaning the enclosure items that are dirty. However I would recommend deep cleaning the enclosure (take all the substrate out and wash or disinfect everything) at least every 1-3 months.

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Thanks! Does chlorhexidine diluted in water work for when cleaning the whole enclosure? Do I need anything else to spray down with?


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Originally Posted by EthanMG

Thanks! Does chlorhexidine diluted in water work for when cleaning the whole enclosure? Do I need anything else to spray down with?


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That's what I've been using for most of my snake-keeping years. I've used Nolvasan in the past (similar formula but much higher priced, said to have some effectiveness against viruses, & mostly used in professional facilities) & F10, but these days I have only 19 snakes & generic chlorhexidine has worked just fine for me.

Keep in mind that disinfectants are not "magic"- they don't work effectively to disinfect if the contamination remains- so plain old water (or soap & water for washing hides & other furnishings) to remove feces & urates FIRST is the priority. Use disinfectants such as chlorhexidine (or F-10) on the bare surfaces, & let them sit for 10-20 minutes to disinfect most effectively, then wipe dry. It's more about HOW you clean than what you use.

I prefer to use mainly white vinegar on water bowls- as it's both a mild disinfectant & also dissolves hard water deposits- yet rinses clean (easily, unlike soaps). It's great for cleaning bathrooms too, without using harsher or more toxic things.

The only time I'd use something stronger on cages is if I had a very ill snake (or had one pass from serious illness), or had one quarantined with suspicious symptoms. That's when you'd want to consider using diluted bleach or other stronger options like that. But not needed for routine cleaning of healthy snakes.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

That's what I've been using for most of my snake-keeping years. I've used Nolvasan in the past (similar formula but much higher priced, said to have some effectiveness against viruses, & mostly used in professional facilities) & F10, but these days I have only 19 snakes & generic chlorhexidine has worked just fine for me.

Keep in mind that disinfectants are not "magic"- they don't work effectively to disinfect if the contamination remains- so plain old water (or soap & water for washing hides & other furnishings) to remove feces & urates FIRST is the priority. Use disinfectants such as chlorhexidine (or F-10) on the bare surfaces, & let them sit for 10-20 minutes to disinfect most effectively, then wipe dry. It's more about HOW you clean than what you use.

I prefer to use mainly white vinegar on water bowls- as it's both a mild disinfectant & also dissolves hard water deposits- yet rinses clean (easily, unlike soaps). It's great for cleaning bathrooms too, without using harsher or more toxic things.

The only time I'd use something stronger on cages is if I had a very ill snake (or had one pass from serious illness), or had one quarantined with suspicious symptoms. That's when you'd want to consider using diluted bleach or other stronger options like that. But not needed for routine cleaning of healthy snakes.

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Okay thank you!


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