Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am trying to figure out what is the best thing to clean the inside of my snake cages. I am also wondering what I can use to clean water bowls. Could I use regular dish soap. I would love any info that folks can give me.

You can find it from a few sellers on the cage supply classifieds. I bought a gallon, then pour 2-3 tablespoons and mix with a gallon of water. This stuff lasts forever, and kills most all bacteria, and is safe to your snakes. I spray my Boas bellies with it after they defecate. Spray it in your water bowls and wipe out- they're clean !
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--aka DMOG68

Best deal Ive found is under $40 per gal.shippedGet your spray bottles at a dollar store or Walmarts.
lambriarvetsupplyDOTCOM

M/

I use regular blue dawn dish soap diluted in water 50/50 and put in a spray bottle. I wash everything by hand everytime a rubbermaid or cage gets soiled... once for urates and then again when they poop. I just believe in cleanliness for me and my animals.
I also use the blue stuff..lol....Virosan or Nolvasan.....this is the same stuff they use in surgery and it kills virus and bacteria. This stuff is very safe for you and your animals...

Also I use......

.......Bleach, diluted 1 part bleach (regular) to 10 parts water.....This is very dangerous stuff, so always rinse with water after use. This stuff kills everything.

Hope this helps. Andy

If you use Virosan the you don't need to use "other" stuff.

If you are refering to "other stuff" as in the use of the dawn dish soap and the diluted bleach solution.....and you are saying you do not need these... if you are useing the blue stuff......you are wrong.

You or anyone who does not wish to...does not have to use anything, or you could just use water....the choice is really yours....but do not persuade others away from a good cleaning program.

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All virus and bacteria are constantly developing and mutating in an effort to become resistant to the cleaning chemicals.

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* There is no substitute for soap and water.

* Diluted Bleach when used properly is very safe and effective against strains of virus and bacteria that Virusan, Chlorohexadine or others may become useless against over time.

I personally have this knowledge from the work I am in, and know these things to be true.

The peroxide methodes I have read about would also work, as I have used a very similar methode at work, but have not used this methode with my snakes....I just do not like the smell.

Just my 2 cents....Andy Federico

Quit getting your panties in a bunch Andy. Unless you are a veterinarian you don't have anything to say that I want to hear. I don't care to know what a janitor does!

Please tell me what bleach can do that Virosan can’t? I understand if you have parasites but that is about it. THAT IS WHY VETERINARIANS USE VIRUCIDES AND ANTIBACTIRIALS THAT ARE NOT HARMFULL TO THE ANIMALS THEY SEE! NOT BLEACH. Even in hospital settings bleach is ONLY used to clean bathrooms.

Just my 2 cents.

Just did a quick search on Google....LOL....I guess my panties are bunching...LOL

This states some good info for all to read. This is just the second site I went to, so I'm sure there is more info out there.

Chlorhexidines
TRADE NAMES: Nolvasan, Chlorasan, Virosan, Hibitane, Hibistat, Phisohex
A low-level disinfectant with a contact time of 10 minutes. Used as an inanimate surface disinfectant. Due to its low-level tissue toxicity it is recommended as a skin antiseptic, a treatment for mild cases of Candida and as a drinking water additive. It is also thought to inhibit the spread of some viruses. For drinking water, dilute at 10-20cc per gallon of water. For hand-feeding formula a drop or two per cup or 5cc per gallon of formula. Recommended as a daily sanitation level wash for brooders and baby containers, and as a routine brooder wipe for containers with chicks present. Used as a skin antiseptic for soiled babies.

Advantages:
Effective against many fungus, yeast, bacteria (Gram-negative organisms) and some viruses (most enveloped viruses) including Newcastle's. A very low toxicity to birds and humans.

Disadvantages:
Chlorhexidines have some limitations which make some routine use inadvisable. As a cleaner it has little value because of poor cleaning properties and due to a decreased effectiveness in the presence of organic matter and hard water. It is not effective against several types of bacteria including many Gram-negative bacteria and Pseudomonas. Not effective against bacterial spores or mycobacterium. Will not kill hydrophilic viruses.
Moderately expensive, and solutions must be discarded daily to be within recommended guidelines.

Just note *** Not effective against bacterial spores or mycobacterium. Will not kill hydrophilic viruses.

Hope this helps....My 2 cents.....Andy

Now your panties can bunch a while..LOL.

Here is the website with some really pretty good info.

http://www.multiscope.com/hotspot/howcln5.htm

Or follow the link below....

Hope this helps....Andy
Link

Chlorine, bleach, and ammonia all are toxic - both in liquid form and the fumes they cause. H2o2 is the safe and wise alternative. Use it to wipe down kitchen counters, to mop the floor and particularly wipe down the refrigerator interior (kills the organisms leading to spoilage. It will sterilize the toilet bowl and overall bathrooms tend to collect microorganisms. Wipe out the children's lunch box to eliminate odors and overall it is great for eliminating kitchen odors.

Dilution ratio: 1 cup 35% h2o2 per 1 gallon water

i bought a gallon of chlorhexidine, which I understand is the generic version, but is there any difference in safety or effectiveness?

and if I spray the water bowl down and wipe it out, I can just pour the new water right in or do I have to rinse first? Not that I mind rinsing, I just want to get an idea of how safe it is.
Thanks!

Just an extra note...

It takes some common sense....

You can think....your snakes...need you to think for them.

If you would drink out of the bowl....then go ahead and give it to the snakes..... If you would rather that bowl cleaned before you take a drink then that is the way they should get it as well.

Andy

i noted in the first post that i dont mind rinsing after using it for the extra precaution. I just wanted an idea of how safe it is.
I am overly paranoid and end up spending up to 15 minutes rinsing out a water bowl just because im paranoid. thats just how i am. I just wanted some comfort in knowing how safe it really is.

also about the whole "if i can drink from it so can my snake," the babies are less than 1/100th of my weight so obviously things that wont affect me can affect them, thats why i was asking.

I was only saying that we always need to think of how we would do for ourselves....then in most cases our snakes would be fine. Andy

yea i get what your saying.

but how safe is it exactly?

and how do you clean your big cages? because it is pretty hard to carry around a 4 foot cage to rinse off.

thanks for your reply.

It is really very safe....

Here is a website I just found that has some good info...

http://www.multiscope.com/hotspot/howcln5.htm

Link should also take you there.

I only posted to help. Take care, Andy

Link

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