Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What kind of disinfectants do the people here use in cleaning out snake cages? I have been using water and ammonia and vinegar.

When I worked at the Bronx Zoo, we used a product called Mickoquart, but I don't know if its still available.

Is Lysol safe to use on snake cages?

>>Is Lysol safe to use on snake cages?

Lysol, Pinesol, and related products are EXTREMELY toxic to snakes.

I use a dilute solution of bleach, which is much safer. Bleach solutions have to used carefully in ventilated areas (I believe bleach is more dangerous to humans than to reptiles).

There are other commercial available products such as Nolvasan which can be used. Check some of the herp supply places like The Bean Farm (www.thebeanfarm.com) or Big Apple Herp (www.bigappleherp.com) to see what they carry.
-----
Chris Harrison

...he was beginning to realize he was the creature of a god that appreciated the discomfort of his worshippers - W. Somerset Maugham

As Chris pointed out, Lysol and related products (those containing Phenols or Pine products) are very toxic to reptiles and should never be used to clean cages.

A Chlorine Bleach solution (at least 10%) is a safe and effective cleaning solution. It is also cheap and easily available. One drawback it has, however, is that it is NOT effective against Cryptosporidium. The only thing proven to kill Crypto is Quaternary Ammonia preparations, such as Roccal-D. However, Roccal-D is not effective against things, such as Mycobacterium but Bleach is. I use Roccal-D for every day cleaning and most spot-cleaning, then once a month all cages and all cage furnishings are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected with first a 20% Chlorine Bleach solution, followed by a thorough rinse, then with Roccal-D, and another rinse then thoroughly dried. There is no one disinfectant that will kill every common reptile pathogen, but by using 2 different ones, such as Roccal and Bleach, you can pretty well cover all bases.

I agree with the bleach solution. Big Apple Herpetological sells a product called Quat-Plus. I have been using it for 2 years now on everything from a Boa constrictor cage to kingsnake cages with no ill effects. I use it for spot cleaning. It is also an amazing spot-cleaner on carpeting! I use a diluted (like 10%) bleach and water solution for a major soaking of the cages though because bleach and water are cheap and available.

Whats wrong with water & soap?

Soap and water doesn't kill everything.