Cleaning involves washing and removing debris and other material from a surface. Disinfecting involves killing or minimizing disease-causing viruses, bacteria, or fungi.
Cleaning does not mean disinfecting, and a clean surface can still harbor harmful agents. Selecting the proper disinfectant for reptile cages must be done carefully.
Disinfectants must be strong enough to kill harmful organisms but safe for your skin. It is very important to use reptile-safe products per instructions and to thoroughly rinse items after they have been disinfected.
When using chemicals for cleaning or disinfecting, keep your herp in another room to avoid exposure to fumes. Reptiles are sensitive to fumes, and this applies to humans as well. For your comfort, use these products in well-ventilated rooms. Make sure your safety by using rubber gloves and safety goggles.
Before using any disinfectant, clean any soiled areas with hot soapy water. This step removes food, feces, and other debris. The presence of these materials will prevent the disinfectant from working properly. Rinse well to remove any soap residue before applying the disinfectant.
The disinfectant should be applied liberally to the cage and accessories. Allow the disinfectant to have contact with the material for 10 minutes.
Porous materials need longer contact time for proper disinfecting. Rinse thoroughly with clean water after sanitizing items to remove all residues. Make sure all items are completely dry before reassembling the habitat.
Although there are many commercially available disinfectants, household bleach is one of the most inexpensive and readily available disinfectants.
Make a disinfecting bleach solution by mixing 1 part bleach with 16 parts water. You can also mix 1 cup of bleach with 1 gallon of water. Apply this bleach solution to the cleaned cage, decorations, and accessories. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Then rinse thoroughly with clean water.
Disinfecting your reptile’s environment is an important and crucial part of cage maintenance. Stay on top of your reptile’s maintenance needs. This ensures that you are offering your pet a safe and healthy home.
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