Humidity. The battle continues...

I am at a loss. None of my efforts have made any significant improvements to the humidity level in my cages. At first, I was hovering in the low 30% I have them in glass terrariums with screen lid . The first thing I did was cover about 2/3 of the screek with plexiglass glass to reduce evaporation. This got my levels up to about 35%, which helps, but is far from desirable. I then purchased a humidifier intended for large rooms and set it up in the snake room. Again, there was only marginal improvement. I hover between 38-41% with the humidifier.

I mist the cages once or twice a day, but with everything I do, my levels still suck, and I ALWAYS get bad sheds. In fact, one of my girls is in the "snake sauna" right now, due to incomplete shed.

What else can I do? I live in a dry climate and want my animals to receive optimum care. I am just frustrated and don't know what I can do from here to get this flipping humidity right.

Make humid hides out of BPA-free plastic tubs, and fill/maintain them with saturated sphagnum moss ... search YouTube for "humid hide."

I use them during the winter months. Snakes will use as needed.

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Originally Posted by Addiesmom2012

I am at a loss. None of my efforts have made any significant improvements to the humidity level in my cages. At first, I was hovering in the low 30% I have them in glass terrariums with screen lid . The first thing I did was cover about 2/3 of the screek with plexiglass glass to reduce evaporation. This got my levels up to about 35%, which helps, but is far from desirable. I then purchased a humidifier intended for large rooms and set it up in the snake room. Again, there was only marginal improvement. I hover between 38-41% with the humidifier.

I mist the cages once or twice a day, but with everything I do, my levels still suck, and I ALWAYS get bad sheds. In fact, one of my girls is in the "snake sauna" right now, due to incomplete shed.

What else can I do? I live in a dry climate and want my animals to receive optimum care. I am just frustrated and don't know what I can do from here to get this flipping humidity right.

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Why not cover more of the mesh screen up maybe 90% or more ?

Also I use orchid bark which holds moisture really well and the dark bark makes your snakes look great .

That is a good idea. I thought about trying that, I just wasn't sure they would use it. Worth a try.

I was worried about ventilation if I covered it more than 2/3.

I use aspen shavings. Next time I need bedding I will try the orchard bark. It is a lot nicer to look at than aspen!

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Originally Posted by Addiesmom2012

I was worried about ventilation if I covered it more than 2/3.

I use aspen shavings. Next time I need bedding I will try the orchard bark. It is a lot nicer to look at than aspen!

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Are there no side ventilation slots ??
Maybe just leave 10% gap to avoid condensation issues
Aspen looks dreadful , also makes Snakes look washed-out unless they're MB Kings or real dark looking .

Aspen gets everywhere when you get the snakes out for handling ... my wife used to go mad with me .

I have a 40 gal glass aquarium with a screen lid and was having similar problems. I cut two pieces of thick cardboard and wrapped them aluminum foil, then cut out 10 inch holes for my two heat lamps (8.5 inches, one is a ceramic the other is a blue heat bulb), one in each cover. Other than the gap for the heat lamps, the whole lid is covered, but it's loose. It's taped down or anything. That way in the summer I can remove what I don't need. Then I have a moist hide on the warm side (just in case he wants, since my humidity does still drop on occasion) and the cool side I have a small Tupperware (the kind used for sauces and stuff) of water that is zip tied to his branch up near the one of the lamps, and a large water bowl. These alone get my humidity to 38-42% when the tank is covered. Then I have a small hand towel that I soak in hot water and place under the foil but on top of the screen, making sure it does not touch the heat lamps. This keeps my humidity between 48-55%. It goes up to 65% for about an hour or so after I reheat the towel in the morning. Most days I re-wet the towels around 8am and I don't have to get them wet again until the next morning. After 24 hours the side with the small water dish is usually in the low 40's and the side with the large water bowl and moist hide is in the low 50's.

It seems like a lot of work, but once you get a system down it should only take about 3 min. I am in the process of getting a plexi glass lid with holes cut since that would be easier than foil. ;)

Consider using 100% cypress mulch as it is great for holding humidity. Eco earth and reptibark are other choices. :) Careful with the reptibark bc it has a tendency to attract mites in my experiences.

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Originally Posted by Albert Clark

Consider using 100% cypress mulch as it is great for holding humidity. Eco earth and reptibark are other choices. :) Careful with the reptibark bc it has a tendency to attract mites in my experiences.

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What's ReptiBark by the way ....plus how does it "attract" mites ??

repti-bark is kiln dried fir bark chips, they are about the size of a dime / nickle (might actually come in various sizes, but I've only ever seen the chips). I don't know about the mite part...I just never used it because it looks uncomfortable to have to crawl around in.

Reptibark is a commercially available wood based substrate that is touted as 100% ground bark from fir trees. It is put through a three staged cleansing process to rid it of dust and dirt. It seems to have a affinity to house and allow mites to hide and lay their eggs. Where as in cypress mulch 100% has the cypress oils that repel mites to a degree. :snake:

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Originally Posted by Albert Clark

Reptibark is a commercially available wood based substrate that is touted as 100% ground bark from fir trees. It is put through a three staged cleansing process to rid it of dust and dirt. It seems to have a affinity to house and allow mites to hide and lay their eggs. Where as in cypress mulch 100% has the cypress oils that repel mites to a degree. :snake:

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Ahh .. presumably the stuff would have to be stored where mites are in the first place so maybe it's the store / retailer to blame rather than the actual ReptiBark .

I read somewhere that you can bring home mites from a reptile store on your clothes and shoes ?!?!

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Originally Posted by Addiesmom2012

I am at a loss. None of my efforts have made any significant improvements to the humidity level in my cages. At first, I was hovering in the low 30% I have them in glass terrariums with screen lid . The first thing I did was cover about 2/3 of the screek with plexiglass glass to reduce evaporation. This got my levels up to about 35%, which helps, but is far from desirable. I then purchased a humidifier intended for large rooms and set it up in the snake room. Again, there was only marginal improvement. I hover between 38-41% with the humidifier.

I mist the cages once or twice a day, but with everything I do, my levels still suck, and I ALWAYS get bad sheds. In fact, one of my girls is in the "snake sauna" right now, due to incomplete shed.

What else can I do? I live in a dry climate and want my animals to receive optimum care. I am just frustrated and don't know what I can do from here to get this flipping humidity right.

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Sorry to hear about your frustrations. Can I ask how large is the water bowl in the cage? I also live in a dry environment and I've found that using a combination of having a large water bowl, decreasing air ventilation (covering the cage screen) and using a substrate that can retain humidity works well. Experiment and try different combinations to fit your situation. Another suggestion is using a large tubberware, cutting a hole in the side and filling it with moist moss or other moisture retaining substrate.

I would start saving for a nice plastic enclosure like animal plastics. Makes keeping humidity and temps so easy...others have given great advice with the humid hide. And switching to Cyprus woll help loads

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You need an ultrasonic humidifier. It makes cool fog. Then some pipe.

http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/...psqgsumjpm.jpg

Sorry its kind of a mess. In midst of remodel. My big fella is in the top left. Yeah, planted.

But it runs 3different frog types and my baby bp off the the left somewhere. Makes life easy. Set it, time it, faaaaaahget aboooout it.

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Originally Posted by mindiferlee33

I would start saving for a nice plastic enclosure like animal plastics. Makes keeping humidity and temps so easy...others have given great advice with the humid hide. And switching to Cyprus woll help loads

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They're easily scratched and scuffed though aren't they plus they're usually opaque rather than transparent ??

They make ones with glass doors to..and are work 1000 times better than any fish tank for species that need highr tamps or humidity. There are quite a few companies that make them and moving them is easy they are supper light for there size.

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Originally Posted by mindiferlee33

They make ones with glass doors to..and are work 1000 times better than any fish tank for species that need highr tamps or humidity. There are quite a few companies that make them and moving them is easy they are supper light for there size.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

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They sound marvellous !