Fragrance

[Flower]

1. PLEASE don't tell me to just use the search function. I do and I have and I couldn't find a thing that was really helpful. I never post on here these days because that is the standard reply for anything I post. :wall: I remember a post similar to mine but I couldn't find it anywhere.

2. Are fragrance supplies bad for T's? Like Glade scented oil wall thingies, oil burners, incense, potpourri, reed diffusers, etc. If you have one of those things in the same room will it kill them or harm them?

 

[TheDanimal]

Now I am NO expert, and still a newbie to these boards and indeed the hobby, but if I were you I would remain cautious of those things. I'd say don't put one in the same room as your T's, cause you never know what might be in them, or if one or a combination of chemicals in them could be harmful to your T. This is just guessing though, if someone has a definite answer feel free to correct me.

 

[ZergFront]

I'd like to know this too. I got some oil burners from my BF but I've never used them because I had the tarantulas on my mind. I'd assume it could have ill-effects. If I don't know if it will hurt them or not, I won't use them - my pets come first.

 

[Flower]

I burn all of these things in my bedroom and they don't kill the unwanted spiders who are squatting in my room. >_<

It would be my luck that these things would kill my T's though. Arg.

 

[KenW]

I don't have any info on this subject. If someone has good info on how these artificial scents are dangerous for our T's, I'd also be concerned about what these chemicals are doing to ME! Gotta look out for #1

 

[curiousme]

Well, i don't spray my body fragrance near our Ts, just to be on the safe side. i don't wear actual perfume, but a B&B Works body spray, but it is pleasantly pungent when you first spray it. So, we thought it would be safer not to do so around the Ts.

We do burn fragrant candles about 4' away from our T shelves. We don't seem to have any ill effects from burning them and it has been that way for a little less than a year. i had not, however thought about it possibly harming the Ts.

The candle fragrance wouldn't be as strong as what you're talking about, so i don't know if it would have ill effects. If it is like a plug-in or something, i would think the farthest outlet as possible away from them just in case.

i will be interested to see further responses to this thread.

 

[thumpersalley]

Instead of putting scent into the air why dont you concentrate on keeping a neutral smell? I dont use any kind of air freshener any time of year, I use small tupperware with holes in the top full of white vinegar. It eliminates odors. I replace it every month. Kim

 

[BCscorp]

I have no idea scientifically as to any potential hazards to Ts...but I avoid it. The effects may take awhile to become apparent.

 

[Ictinike]

One would assume if it's OK for your lungs and nasal passages it would be OK for your T's, no?

I mean sure, pesticides and such I wouldn't go wafting those in the room but as well you get those on your own skin and you'll have a reaction.

While I cannot base this on any scientific details again one would assume that if they are done in small doses and not fogging the air, such as the aerosol air cleaners, I would think they wouldn't hurt much.

The types I'm referring to are the slow release plug-in's and oil stick re leasers for scent only, not for smell (bacterial) removal (Oust, Pledge, Lysol, etc)

 

[ZergFront]

I have no idea scientifically as to any potential hazards to Ts...but I avoid it. The effects may take awhile to become apparent.

Yup... and when it comes to invertebrates, it's usually too late by then..

I don't use harsh smells in my room for the same reason I don't feed my tarantulas fruit. Just don't know. It's not worth the risk.

 

[ghordy]

All depends how you use those things. A single wall thingie providing a mild pleasant scent should do no harm. But wall thingies all over and incense, oils, and sprays, etc., so that even your guests are dropping... well then, I'd say you've gone too far.

 

[Ether Imp]

I hear Tarantulas are particularly fond of Curve Kicks for women by Liz Claiborne.

(The author of this post is not responsible for any harm that may come to your tarantula if you're dense enough to douse her with Curve Kicks or any other perfume.)

My daily smartass comment requirement has been fulfilled. Carry on.

 

[curiousme]

Carry on.

i think 'as you were' would have been funnier....... but then not everyone is a star trek geek.

 

[Daehon]

We keep all of our T's in our office, my wife loves scented candles and the smelly mist thing that shoots off ever hour. None have ever hurt any of my T's.

 

[WelshTan]

I personally would be cautious ... I unfortunately managed to kill of 2 budgies with the use of plug in and battery operated air fresheners within 2 months of having them. I have also noticed that my pet rats had suffered with them too ... My previous rats started sneezing and were getting respiratory problems and subsequently died.... but the replacement rats have not died after discontinuing the use of air freshener and have not suffered with any breathing problems. T's have a different way of breathing to mammals but I would still be careful as any chemical in the air ends up settling somewhere on surfaces and walls etc .... and could easily find its way into the enclosures through the ventilation slits/holes/mesh.

 

[Ether Imp]

i think 'as you were' would have been funnier....... but then not everyone is a star trek geek.

Engage!

 

[Flower]

Instead of putting scent into the air why dont you concentrate on keeping a neutral smell? I dont use any kind of air freshener any time of year, I use small tupperware with holes in the top full of white vinegar. It eliminates odors. I replace it every month. Kim

Well the room room doesn't really smell. When is does it's never the fault of my T's, but rather the reptiles and amphibians making a stink. I clean it all up promptly though.

There is the problem.

My mom has these dogs, and they pee EVERYWHERE, except in my room and my reptile/invert room. Any smell my mom blames on MY animals, because she can't except that her dogs are completely foul and untrained. I have shown her the facts, that T's make no smell, and she ignores it. If a room doesn't smell, like my T's room, she totally makes up a smell in her head and convinces herself that the area in question reeks. The only time she never really seems to do this is when there is a pleasant smell. And that's why I wanted a scent instead of no scent at all.

 

[thumpersalley]

Well the room room doesn't really smell. When is does it's never the fault of my T's, but rather the reptiles and amphibians making a stink. I clean it all up promptly though.

There is the problem.

My mom has these dogs, and they pee EVERYWHERE, except in my room and my reptile/invert room. Any smell my mom blames on MY animals, because she can't except that her dogs are completely foul and untrained. I have shown her the facts, that T's make no smell, and she ignores it. If a room doesn't smell, like my T's room, she totally makes up a smell in her head and convinces herself that the area in question reeks. The only time she never really seems to do this is when there is a pleasant smell. And that's why I wanted a scent instead of no scent at all.

I would say take your Ts & other pets except the dogs to a friends house for awhile. If your animals are gone & the smell is still there, she will have no choice but to acknowledge it. Or keep a gate across your room so they can urinate in there. Vidoetape them in the act & show it to her? Not cool! Good luck. Kim

 

[Webbly]

My previous rats started sneezing and were getting respiratory problems and subsequently died.... but the replacement rats have not died after discontinuing the use of air freshener and have not suffered with any breathing problems.

I commend you for taking responsibility for the ill health of your animals. Before you go beating yourself up about killing your pet rats I think you should know that all rats bred in captivity are born with a bacterial infection called mycoplasma. While keeping your pets' cages in a well ventilated area and free of old feces/urine or any phenol-containing bedding (like cedar) is vital to the management of this infection, there are also a number of things outside of your control that could have caused the rats to have a flare up and not make it through. The stress of moving to their new home, a secondary illness (rats pass infections to one another like... rats), having too many animals in too small a cage (why all captive bred rats have this infection in the first place), etc.

Besides getting to know a good rat vet and keeping your rats on medication there is little else you can do about your rats' respiratory infection. All you can really do is try to keep them comfortable and not stress them out too much.

I guess what I'm trying to say here is you didn't kill your rats. An infection that pet stores aren't going to divulge to you killed your rats and you don't know if you caused it or hastened it or what. Also, be ready for the rats you currently own to come down with respiratory or reproductive symptoms down the line. As your rats age they will almost certainly come down with a secondary illness that will cause a flare up of their mycoplasmosis.

 

[bee67]

I'm going to write this claiming no expertise at all, but this is just my logic.

Just because something smells, doesn't mean it's bad for your T. I think it all depends on the ingredients of your method of air freshener! Liquids especially, like perfumes, febreeze, and aerosols, would be uncomfortable for the T because they dislike having stuff sprayed on them. Pretty simple, no? Not to mention these products usually contain harsher chemicals that irritate some people's skin, nose and allergies. The more potent stuff, you'll want to stay away from.

Scented candles and oils, however, are a different matter. Basically, these are just nice-smelling waxes that evaporate into the air. Probably not as discomforting to your T. Things like incense might bother them just by virtue of being smokey.

Your best bet is- like someone else said- to use natural ABSORBANTS to neutralize smell instead of layering a perfumy, flowery scent on top of dog pee smell (which in itself might bug your T. Ammonia?). I would try baking soda.

Also keep in mind that things that don't bother us might bother your T- they are inverebrates, after all, and have different ways of ingesting and internalizing things. Pesticides mess with your neurological system, and they also affect those of inverts. But things that bother your skin or nose might not affect a T in the same way- but this is just speculation.

I know that I wear perfume every day, and my T lives in my bedroom- and so far I haven't seen any ill effects. But I try to keep things like hairspray, air freshener and other stuff in the bathroom- because I know how nasty chemicals have a habit of building up slowly over time.