Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey I want to clean Number1's cage tomorrow thats his new name...anyway just wanted to know should I just wipe it down tomorrow? and disinfect every week? I was thinking wipe down every couple days then a disinfect every week.

What are you using to clean? If you use a herp-safe cleaner like Virosan you can wipe surfaces down any time. When you say "wipe it down" what do you mean? If you are cleaning leaf surfaces that he might lick water off of, be careful of chemical residues. If you mean picking up fecals, removing crix, cleaning the cage bottom, dishes and drippers once a week for a cage with 1 cham should be OK. Obviously if you see something unusual clean it when you see it. The cage will stay cleaner if you don't free range your feeders too.

Hey thanks, I was just saying water and a paper towel, where can I get the Veri whatever stuff that you said and can you use it on the plants? So once a week for crix,fecal,leaves other stuff is ok? I was thinking every couple days I just cleaned his cage out befor I read this (picked up his poo, wiped down the bottom-with water and paper towel- and pulled out dead crix-leaves).

I think there are various names for Virosan. I get it by the gallon from ProExotics in Denver, but other herp supplies may have it also. Go to the Pro Exotics webpage and look for the chemical info. You could probably find the same stuff under another brand name. Vet supplies would have it too. I like it because it isn't toxic to the cham even it he happens to lick some residue off a leaf. I don't know if it would hurt the plant if used often. I've even used it in dilute form to wash skin sores. Again, cleaning the cage should be mostly picking up fecal, dead crix, any molds or mildew, cleaning up any fecal on leaves (or just clip off the leaf), cleaning out drippers or foggers.

I use a vinegar water solution, or steam. Both options are non-toxic. Of course screaming hot steam isnt good for live plants, just for the cage/enclosure and branches.
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SandraChameleon@gmail.com
BC Canada

Vinegar spray followed immediately by hydrogen peroxide forms peracetic acid (sic??) which is a very powerful but short-lived disinfectant. You cannot mix the 2 in the same spray bottle;they must be sprayed separately-order is not critical. You can then wipe out the excess and let the remainder air dry. You can also rinse thoroughly with clear water for chameleons to make sure there is no residual on plant leaves, etc. I have used it successfuly on live plants also. USDA recommends this as an inexpensive kitchen disinfectant.
Diane
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dianedfisher@yahoo.com

My 3 CWD-Avanyu, Tripod and Drago
Valentino, Veiled Chameleon
Chyam, Nosy Be Panther Chameleon