Disinfecting Coconut Hides

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?

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

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Originally Posted by Aes_Sidhe

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

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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.

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

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Originally Posted by 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?

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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.

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

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Originally Posted by West Coast Jungle

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.

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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?

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

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Originally Posted by 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.

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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.

Just use boiled water to clean your hides! Fast, easy and effective :)

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Originally Posted by Brian Fobian

Just use boiled water to clean your hides! Fast, easy and effective :)

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Boiled or boiling?

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Originally Posted by wytchling

Boiled or boiling?

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boiling :)

I would just bake or boil them.

Bleach would work, but I would be concerned about it retaining some inside the wood since its porous. If you do bleach them, make sure they are rinsed very well. Don't want any bleach still left in/on them. Bleach works great for tubs and other plastic items, though.

Yea I'm already a nervous new snakey mama, so I don't want to do anything that would make me pull my hair out any more than I already have been. :D

To be perfectly honestly, you really can't practically disinfect coconut hides. They will fall apart if you keep boiling them, and baking them might start a fire.

I recommend getting some simple plastic rock hides that can be scrubbed and disinfected properly with bleach solution. (Assuming aesthetics are important...if not, any upturned bowl with a hole cut in the side will do).