House Cleaning Around Ts?

ForestCryptid

Arachnopeon
Joined
Jul 31, 2020
Messages
13
Okay, so, I know definitely to never use pesticides around Ts for obvious reasons, but what about sprays that help with dusting such as Murphy's oil spray? It does have a scent, but it's not like right next to my tarantulas and we have the ceiling fan on all throughout summer. My tarantulas currently live on the kitchen counter (I know it's not the best place, but I can't bring them into my room yet because my cat loves to knock things over that he shouldn't. Trying to figure out a good solution). We don't really use any harsh chemical cleaners so I feel it should be relatively okay? But advice/info is welcome!
 

Ultum4Spiderz

ArachnoGod
Old Timer
Joined
Oct 13, 2011
Messages
6,237
@HooahArmy might know . I avoid running ceiling fans directly above new worlds depends how close they are .scatters the urt setae. For ones with urts of course.
 

A guy

Arachnolord
Active Member
Joined
Aug 8, 2020
Messages
654
Okay, so, I know definitely to never use pesticides around Ts for obvious reasons, but what about sprays that help with dusting such as Murphy's oil spray? It does have a scent, but it's not like right next to my tarantulas and we have the ceiling fan on all throughout summer. My tarantulas currently live on the kitchen counter (I know it's not the best place, but I can't bring them into my room yet because my cat loves to knock things over that he shouldn't. Trying to figure out a good solution). We don't really use any harsh chemical cleaners so I feel it should be relatively okay? But advice/info is welcome!
My mom uses some kind of lavender all purpose disinfectant around the house and even right infront of my tarantulas shelves. Never had any problems
 

FatBadBay

Arachnosquire
Joined
Aug 3, 2023
Messages
108
I've used pledge on furniture in the same room as my tarantulas and I've never had issues.
 

viper69

ArachnoGod
Old Timer
Joined
Dec 8, 2006
Messages
19,063
Never sprayed by them- always in a separate room- never worth the risk when you don’t know!
 

Ultum4Spiderz

ArachnoGod
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Messages
6,237
Never sprayed by them- always in a separate room- never worth the risk when you don’t know!
Main reason I moved mine to the basement non candles and no one uses anything to clean but a sweeper or broom. I only got 4 in my bedroom I don’t use any scents or any cleaning sprays . Besides soap water or hot water .
 

Muffinforall

Arachnopeon
Joined
Jun 25, 2024
Messages
7
A couple good cleaning tips that I learned years ago also turned out to be incredibly compatible with keeping Ts.
Firstly, warm water and vinegar are great for cleaning. If it doesn't come off with that then just warm water and elbow grease.
And Secondly, spray the rag not the surface. Keeps anything you've got to use(windex etc) from getting into the air.
As for any fragrance stuff(I call it just smell good) I use a wax cube melter rather than any sort of fragrance mister or other spray fragrant stuff.
Wen researching into Ts I realized I wouldn't have to change the way I clean since nothing I do would impinge on them anyway.
 

kingshockey

Arachnoprince
Joined
Sep 4, 2017
Messages
1,005
your kitchen counter is not a safe place either for them only a matter of time your cat happens to catch a t out wandering and knocks the cage over
 

Arachnophobphile

Arachnoprince
Active Member
Joined
Dec 24, 2018
Messages
1,163
Okay, so, I know definitely to never use pesticides around Ts for obvious reasons, but what about sprays that help with dusting such as Murphy's oil spray? It does have a scent, but it's not like right next to my tarantulas and we have the ceiling fan on all throughout summer. My tarantulas currently live on the kitchen counter (I know it's not the best place, but I can't bring them into my room yet because my cat loves to knock things over that he shouldn't. Trying to figure out a good solution). We don't really use any harsh chemical cleaners so I feel it should be relatively okay? But advice/info is welcome!
Anything bleach whether straight or mixed will kill your T's.

Best practice is what @viper69 said with any type of cleaners.

Kitchen counter?, that's a new one. If any are NW's with UrS not the best place for them, UrS + food = no thanks.

Invest in a shelving unit to keep your T's on or a table.
 

TheraMygale

Arachnoprince
Arachnosupporter +
Joined
Mar 20, 2024
Messages
1,327
Get a cheap plastic racking system at a hardware store. And put them somewhere else.

Cooking fumes can kill parrots. No info on their effects on tarantulas but that could be of concern.

I have fans on all summer long to get air flowing. I wash those with water moistened towels.

I use those eco products for my own health, less harsh chems in them too. I always wash my hands and wear gloves for maintenance. I Use certain containers just for tarantula maintenance.

You will get told kitchen is bad for many reasons. Think also about temperature fluctuations, and humidity. It will keep going up and down.

At this point, your biggest concern would be to find a better placement.
 

CorFish

Arachnopeon
Joined
Feb 5, 2023
Messages
1
Does any kind of gloves like plastic gloves can be used in cleaning new world Ts?
 

HooahArmy

Arachnoknight
Joined
Jul 12, 2022
Messages
267
May contain allergens: Peanuts and Gluten... it's HooahArmy!

Ladies and gents, thanks for the call!
When looking at any cleanser and potential toxicity, I like to first inspect its ingredients and consider the potential of exposure. Just because a cleanser may have toxic ingredients doesn't mean that it can harm an invert if its used at a respectable distance. Murphy's oil is a pretty save product given that it's natrually derived and is based with coconut and just plain water. The formation with citronella is 'insect repelling', but does so by not killing or injuring insects but by creating a 'scent mask' through which bugs can't find a person to bite.
When laying down sprays such as these, consider the distance the aerosol travels: Is mist landing on any enclosures? Is the fan blowing the mist towards them? Are there puddles of it forming near a buddy? Are the Ts acting funny?
If the answer is no to all these, then the stuff should be generally safe. The only way the spray could injure a T is if were to make physical contact. Ts and other inverts breathe through pores on their bodies and oil has a nature of being naturally tacky because its hydrophobic (repells water). An invert would struggle to clean it off, and it may disrupt their breathing or other life functions if the stuff were to get on. Oil can kill an insect, so please do keep an eye on where the mist is going when spraying and turn of the fan for a moment when using. Any use at a respectable distance is likely fine, but still be sure to keep an eye on your friends and discontinue use if you see any lethargy, distress, or other general funk!

Does any kind of gloves like plastic gloves can be used in cleaning new world Ts?
Hey there and welcome to Arachnoboards!
Gloves are definitely a must when working with Ts, especially those new worlds. I prefer to use thick kitchen rubber gloves to defend against those gnarly hairs since the thin ones tend to move around too much and crinkle, potentially spreading the hairs onto you. After doing what's needed with my Ts, I wash my gloved hands in a sink before taking them off to ensure that loose hairs are removed and flushed away. The gloves also work in general for my poop-spattering arboreal old worlds who like to graffiti their enclosures. A glove can never be thick enough when dealing with poop, or urticating hairs.
 

TheraMygale

Arachnoprince
Arachnosupporter +
Joined
Mar 20, 2024
Messages
1,327
May contain allergens: Peanuts and Gluten... it's HooahArmy!

Ladies and gents, thanks for the call!
When looking at any cleanser and potential toxicity, I like to first inspect its ingredients and consider the potential of exposure. Just because a cleanser may have toxic ingredients doesn't mean that it can harm an invert if its used at a respectable distance. Murphy's oil is a pretty save product given that it's natrually derived and is based with coconut and just plain water. The formation with citronella is 'insect repelling', but does so by not killing or injuring insects but by creating a 'scent mask' through which bugs can't find a person to bite.
When laying down sprays such as these, consider the distance the aerosol travels: Is mist landing on any enclosures? Is the fan blowing the mist towards them? Are there puddles of it forming near a buddy? Are the Ts acting funny?
If the answer is no to all these, then the stuff should be generally safe. The only way the spray could injure a T is if were to make physical contact. Ts and other inverts breathe through pores on their bodies and oil has a nature of being naturally tacky because its hydrophobic (repells water). An invert would struggle to clean it off, and it may disrupt their breathing or other life functions if the stuff were to get on. Oil can kill an insect, so please do keep an eye on where the mist is going when spraying and turn of the fan for a moment when using. Any use at a respectable distance is likely fine, but still be sure to keep an eye on your friends and discontinue use if you see any lethargy, distress, or other general funk!


Hey there and welcome to Arachnoboards!
Gloves are definitely a must when working with Ts, especially those new worlds. I prefer to use thick kitchen rubber gloves to defend against those gnarly hairs since the thin ones tend to move around too much and crinkle, potentially spreading the hairs onto you. After doing what's needed with my Ts, I wash my gloved hands in a sink before taking them off to ensure that loose hairs are removed and flushed away. The gloves also work in general for my poop-spattering arboreal old worlds who like to graffiti their enclosures. A glove can never be thick enough when dealing with poop, or urticating hairs.
The glove part. Holy guacamole. Those cheap bleu gloves pierce at nothing. Youre working in there and next thing you Know, holes. Yep. Better to invest in good gloves.

and then they say tarantulas dont cost much 🤣
 

Ultum4Spiderz

ArachnoGod
Old Timer
Joined
Oct 13, 2011
Messages
6,237
The glove part. Holy guacamole. Those cheap bleu gloves pierce at nothing. Youre working in there and next thing you Know, holes. Yep. Better to invest in good gloves.

and then they say tarantulas dont cost much 🤣
I use throw away gloves for minor maintenance and cheap kitchen gloves for anything else. Besides watering them , cheap pets compared to mammals like dogs and cats.🐱
 

TheraMygale

Arachnoprince
Arachnosupporter +
Joined
Mar 20, 2024
Messages
1,327
I use throw away gloves for minor maintenance and cheap kitchen gloves for anything else. Besides watering them , cheap pets compared to mammals like dogs and cats.🐱
Of course. I agree. They cost nothing in checkups and vaccines. The feeders add up and so does those gloves haha 🤪.

but they arent pets. I think thats where we need to change the language, over time. In time. They provide no affection. You can’t pet them. They don’t learn any commands.

i think tarantulas are an expert pet. Meant for people willing to study. They are an observational creature. They provide nothing in terms of human comfort. Keepers that are neurodivergent are better equiped to provide the best of care.

They are arachnids: you look at them. And they reward you with feeding responses and molts, when you actualy give them what they need.

tarantulas are not carefree pets. These are expert level creatures. Thats my experience and point of view on them.

i hate small talk. And so do tarantulas.
 

ForestCryptid

Arachnopeon
Joined
Jul 31, 2020
Messages
13
Never sprayed by them- always in a separate room- never worth the risk when you don’t know!
Yeah, mine are in a separate room, but the room doesn't have any doors separating it which is why I was wondering🤔

A couple good cleaning tips that I learned years ago also turned out to be incredibly compatible with keeping Ts.
Firstly, warm water and vinegar are great for cleaning. If it doesn't come off with that then just warm water and elbow grease.
And Secondly, spray the rag not the surface. Keeps anything you've got to use(windex etc) from getting into the air.
As for any fragrance stuff(I call it just smell good) I use a wax cube melter rather than any sort of fragrance mister or other spray fragrant stuff.
Wen researching into Ts I realized I wouldn't have to change the way I clean since nothing I do would impinge on them anyway.
I read somewhere that using vinegar around Ts wasn't good? But I'll def look into that!

your kitchen counter is not a safe place either for them only a matter of time your cat happens to catch a t out wandering and knocks the cage over
My cat lives only in my room so as far as cat worries go they are safe from him there

This.

Also the fumes from cooking oils can be harmful.
That's exactly why I want to figure out where I can move them
 
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