Enclosure Disinfection?

[opihiman]

I have been reading most of the threads which all point to using a 10% clorox solution to disinfect the cage and the items in the cage....Is that true?

also I sometimes like to put the guys back into the wet cage and leave them in sun for extra water and UV exposure...If I spray the care with disinfector and then sit for 5 min and then rinse, will that be OK?

I have also heard the you can let the cage dry off and the clorox will evaporate off......Is that true and safe for the chams?

OPI

 

[Brad Ramsey]

A 10% bleach solution is totally safe.
You do want to rinse very well.
I have also used vinegar ... probably not as effective as bleach.
The biggest maintenance tip I have is to remove droppings as soon as possible and let the enclosure dry out completely between mistings (coccidia loves moisture).
I don't do full cage cleanings that often.

-Brad

 

[opihiman]

What is a regular cleaning like for you...I have no idea so every week I take the guys out and scrub the pan out and shoot the cage down, wash out all the bowls and plants....if there is a better way I much rather go about it that way.

Thanks for everyones help

OPI

 

[Brad Ramsey]

I just do daily wipe outs with paper towels and vinegar or 10% bleach/water solution.
The "big clean" only happens a couple of times a year ... before and after winter.
I am in a colder climate though with little humidity.

-Brad

 

[opihiman]

Sorry to me this sounds like a dumb question....

But do you spray the cage or just wipe down with your antibacterial solution? Also chameleons should be out of the cage when do all this cleaning? Like I said dumb and dopey questions....

Thanks

OPI

 

[opihiman]

also would a 10 or 20% solution of alcohol be a viable option?

OPI

 

[Brad Ramsey]

Alcohol is not a very effective disinfectant.
Daily cleanings are a wipe out of the floor of the enclosure (I use vinegar).
The chameleon is not moved.
Big cleanings require removing and scrubbing everything down with a 10% bleach to water solution, and the chameleon (obviously) needs to be temporarily re-located.
Don't make it harder than it needs to be.

-Brad

 

[opihiman]

good advice for anything not just for Chams.....