how to clean/disinfect everything

[Pip]

We would like to know :thinking how you guys clean and disinfect everythng (cages, syringes, nipples, fleece blankets, and any hard surface) that comes into contact with your squirrels both healthy and sick (coccidiosis, gardia, etc)! :thankyou

[Jackie in Tampa]

10% bleach/water solution for 20 minutes on my cages outside..
or dish liquid for mid time cleanings..

I use human laundry detergent and when there is a bacteria issue...I use small amount of bleach in my fleece loads..it won't ruin fleece in moderation.

I use listerine/mouth wash to clean my sterlites.

I use hot water and Dawn Dish liquid to clean my feeding utensils.

I also like ammonia very dilute to wipe cages down...

some poeple use citrus oil cleaners, they're okay, but I love bleach best!!!!

[Anne]

All that Jackie said. Plus to reduce "smells", I add white distilled Vinegar to my pet laundry loads. Vinegar and water in a spray bottle for hard non-washable surfaces My squirrel room has brick walls! Also the vinegar won't eat our floor tile grout :D . I handle feeding syringes like human infant bottles and bring to a boil on the stove then let cool off. My hot water temperature is set as high as it will go (no children here) so my dishwasher cleans and sterilizes my feeding bowls. So far so good, never have passed on any problems to other animals.:thumbsup
I have huge tubs that I use with bleach solution to clean cages in between uses.
I am a retired NR-so wash your hands!!!!! Then wash again. Nurses training teaches that it is the friction plus the soap what clean your hands, not just the soap and water,so scrub well and keep your finger nails clean!

[iwonka]

10% bleach/water solution for 20 minutes on my cages outside..


I quickly washed cages only. This how I have passed coccidiosis on my babies squirrels! :hissyfit

:goodpost This Thread should become "Sticky" :goodpost

[MiriamS]

Just throwing this out there but how does rubbing alcohol do Jackie? Extended exposure to bleach isn't healthy for you humans or squirrels and it washing into the ground poses a bit of an environmental dilemma. You have so many squirrels and that they all stay healthy means what you're doing is obviously working. I'm just curious if there's a more environmentally friendly alternative.

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

I use rubbing alcohol on my tile floors when I mop. It dries faster and kills everything, with 4 people ,two dogs and 3 squirrels I like clean floors.
I dont think I would use it on a cage though . I switch back and forth from bleach one time and then white vinegar the next. Don't clean on the grass but on the rocks .
I hose down the branches or if htey smell i replace them.
Simons cage is washed everyday! All Fleece is changed twice a day.Morning and again at night.
I wipe his cage down with Dial antibacterial soap only. He is the only one who uses it.