Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Is it necessary to use soap to clean them when first purchased? If not what is the best method?

I have used plants with my animals for years and I have never washed any with soap, I merely rinse them by spraying them with the hose a couple of times and have never had a problem with pesticide toxicity. I am kind of nuts about pesticides too, I have been known to chase mosquito control down the street with 2X4's to keep them away from my property (like I said I hate pesticides) Anyway as far as washing your plants, like I said I only rinse them. To give you a little perspective here, I live in the greater Orlando Fl. area, Most of the countries indoor foliage plants are grown in the Apopka Fl. area which is basically a suburb of Orlando. In other words if residual pesticides were of really any problem I would be at ground zero so-to-speak for such problems as I live more or less next door to the nurseries that supply the stores. Most nurseries use integrated pest management practices these days anyway which means they tend to use less pesticides and more natural methods for control, although I would still rinse them to be safe. However soaping the plants is really not necessary.