Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi everyone,

Those of us who have been keeping large boids for any substantial amount of time know that the copious volumes of urea and feces produced by such large animals is not only a task to keep clean, but also presents quite potent odors (as one would expect).

I have been considering ways to help control these odors, and my most recent idea involves common baking soda (sodium bicarbonate). It can be used to absorb odors in cabinets, refrigerators, and freezers - so why not in a large snake enclosure.

My idea is to spread a thin/light dusting of baking soda on the floor of the enclosure once it is freshly cleaned. On top of that I can place the usual of several layers of newspaper, and a single layer of brown roll paper. This should keep the powder off and away from the animal, while it does it's job of abosbing odors. Also, once the animal's liquid waste comes into contact with it, it may neutralize with the basic powder (that is, if the waste is acidic at all - I'm not sure on that one yet).

Do any of you already do this? What do you think about this idea? What other methods of 'odor control' do any of you use?

Thanks very much for any replies,
- Mark
.
-----
.
-------------------------------------------------------------
My personal website: www.antegy.com
-------------------------------------------------------------
My Kingsnake.com Picture Galleries

- 1.0.0 Labyrinth Burmese Python Gallery
- 0.1.0 Suriname Boa Gallery
- 0.1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake Gallery
- 1.0.0 Pueblan Milksnake Gallery
- 0.1.0 Trinket Ratsnake Gallery
-------------------------------------------------------------
My photography on photo.net
-------------------------------------------------------------
My photography on modelmayhem.com
-------------------------------------------------------------
Me on myspace.com

Personally...I use Healthy Habitat spray. It works wonders. I clean up the mess by spraying the whole cage bottom generously with the spray and wiping up until clean. I then spray a thin layer over the cage bottom and then layer the paper on top for the finish. the small layer left on the bottom is safe and since it is enzymes that are doing all of the action...it gets rid of any left over oder that the spray didn't have time to get before. As far as any crusted on stuff on the cage floor. I use a glass scraper and it works great. I hope this is helpful. Oh yeah...by the way. I buy the Healthy habitat spray online in the gallon jugs and it saves a HUGE amount of money. You could spent about $10 or so for a small spray bottle of the stuff or you can spend about $25 and get a gallon jug which will fill and refill your spray bottle many times over. Trust me...it is a huge savings.

Although I no longer keep retics at present, I know that when I did, the paper never stayed in one place. I'd personally be too paranoid about my snakes moving the paper and coming in contact with the powder or having it mix with urea and come in contact with the snake's skin.
I currently have JCP's, Bredli's, spotteds, milks, a bearded dragon, turtle tank, and about 40 rats and mice (breeders and young) all in a large spare room and you'd never know. I use a volcanic rock odor eliminator from Home Depot (comes in a mesh bag and is non-toxic), and a $12 TrueAir plug in carbon filter mini air purifier.
mike

Can you give more details about this odor reducer (Volcanic Rock) and the method used? Perhaps I'm just not understanding. With that many animals in a spare room and not being able to smell the rodents especially is an amazing feat in and of itself. You can also e-mail me direct if you like at kjanda1214@yahoo.com

Thanks for any help with this method.
Mike
-----
2.1 RTB (Zander, Ridick, Liliana)
1.1 Burms (Vladamir, Natalia)
0.1 Lavender Albino Retic (Katerina)
1.1 100% Het Tigers (Nicholi & Charlamaine)
2.3 Silver fox rabbits
many, many, many, many rats
"New strategy R-2, Let the Wookie Win!!!"

I'll check on the name of the rock....they remind me of Ammo Chips, only bigger, and come in a heavy mesh bag....you recharge them by leaving them in the sun....I have a five tub rack w/ 3.6 adult rats, and their offspring in a closet with the door removed to allow for ventilation....above the rack is the bag which absorbs much of the odor.....I have 1.7 mice in 3 10 gal. tanks (the male makes his rounds as needed)....weanling rats and mice are kept in 20 & 10 gal tanks before being used as f/k food...I use cell sorb bedding in moderation, and change the cages weekly, but never thoroughly deodorize(learned this on the feeder forum...reduces marking territory)...snakes are kept in plastic tubs w/ heat mats and homemade plastic caging 4x2x2 which are also on racks... RHP are used for heat....the TrueAir air cleaner has a small carbon filter, and plaugs into a wall outlet righ next to the rodents...I've had the room set up for a couple of months now, and so ar it's problem free

I installed this restroom vent/fan in my boa closet. You can see the vent cover in the top right corner of the pic next to the light string. I have a dimmer switch installed on the fan so I can keep it on low speed most of the time. But may kick it up a notch during cleanings. I think this may help keep odors from backing up into my room and the rest of the house. I also know that people can get somewhat desensitized to odors that visitors may smell in a hurry. I'm sure this would be a help if installed in a normal sized room. Then you can crack open a window if the outside temps. are acceptable. Or allow it to pull air from other rooms via the space under you're door.

Just some thoughts,
Chris