How Do (Or Should) I Sanitize My Decorations?

[Nicole C G]

I am preparing to buy a Jumping Spider (Likely Phidippus Regius) soon, and I am still doing research. Something I’ve been wondering but can’t seem to find the answer to is whether or not, or how, to clean the decorations for the habitat before use in the habitat? Things like fake flowers and fish-tank decor, as well as resin and plastic objects. Should I worry about it? And if so, how would I go about cleaning them? Would this mean also, that I must clean the inside of the habitat before use?
Thank you!

 

[Matts inverts]

I always use water or water with soap to clean but you can always boil, or bake any wood or leaves. For fake plants, I just rinse them so there isn’t any bad stuff. I would clean the tank if you just got it or had any animals in it. I just take all the tanks outside and spray them with the hose. Use a bit of soap, and rinse it off. I don’t clean wood I buy from shops because cork isn’t imported without being heat treated and grape vine goes through a whole process so I don’t even think about it. I did collect oak bark for some tanks that I baked on 350 for 30 minutes and it’s safe now.

 

[Nicole C G]

Thank you! I’ll be sure to clean them then!

 

[Doodlebird]

I normally wash them with a non-scented soap, or bake them if possible. If you buy something from a store that hasn't been used before, chances are it's safe, but I don't normally take the risk.

 

[Emi248]

Microwave, for bacteria and small insects that could eat your spider.

 

[Doodlebird]

Microwave, for bacteria and small insects that could eat your spider.

I would avoid those because you don't have much control over heat, and they tend to heat unevenly. Also if there are any metal parts that could be an issue. I think an oven is your best bet here.

 

[Emi248]

I would avoid those because you don't have much control over heat, and they tend to heat unevenly. Also if there are any metal parts that could be an issue. I think an oven is your best bet here.

Oven grills are also made of metal, no difference, just general heat

 

[Doodlebird]

Oven grills are also made of metal, no difference, just general heat

Sorry if I was unclear, I meant that if you put any decorations that have metal in the microwave, it can break your microwave, while that isn't an issue with an oven.

 

[Emi248]

Well before this becomes a debate on what to buy from Walmart to disinfect an insignificant plant, just heat it.

 

[The Snark]

When washing, always use dish washing liquids. They leave no residue which most other soaps do. (Oils, waxs, emollients etc.)

 

[Frogdaddy]

If it's plastic or an impervious material I would use a 10% bleach solution. Organic materials like cork bark, leaf litter, etc. I would bake in the oven. As for the enclosure itself a 10% bleach solution ot 70% or higher isopropyl alcohol.

 

[Dandrobates]

I don’t see any need to sterilize new plastic or resin decorations. If they’re fresh out of the package there is no need. Otherwise, scrub them with good old fashioned soap and warm water, rinse well and air dry. Heating plastic and/or resin in an oven or microwave is a fire hazard and a recipe for disaster.

 

[Smotzer]

No there is no need, even if you sterilize it, you are not sterilizing it in clean room protocol, it will be instantly cultured by bacteria, fungi, mold spores, the second it hits open air in your home.

 

[Nicole C G]

So I’m getting mixed messages a bit here...
So, I should not clean the decor, only clean outdoor twigs, leafs, and bark with heat?

 

[Doodlebird]

So I’m getting mixed messages a bit here...
So, I should not clean the decor, only clean outdoor twigs, leafs, and bark with heat?

I personally clean everything, but it's mostly up to you

 

[8 legged]

Since a jumping spider actually has no claims as long as your enclosure has a lid, the decoration is secondary. One plant and one branch are perfectly adequate, it probably doesn't even cost $ 5 at the pet store - then you are on the safe side and it is good.
Here lives a Phidippus:

The wood is from the store, but I had it in the oven for 20 minutes at 150 degrees Celsius.
I only clean surfaces with warm water. That is completely sufficient.

 

[The Snark]

If it's plastic or an impervious material I would use a 10% bleach solution.

Test first. Chlorine attacks or destabilizes some plastics, resulting in odd odors, brittleness or discoloration or cloudiness.

 

[Albireo Wulfbooper]

So I’m getting mixed messages a bit here...
So, I should not clean the decor, only clean outdoor twigs, leafs, and bark with heat?

The mixed messages are mostly because people are prioritizing different types of risk:

• Manufactured items can have chemical residues on them, so for those you want to wash them with soap and water.
• Wood collected from outdoors can house predators, so baking or boiling will kill those.
• Leaves and smaller twigs collected from outdoors can have pesticides or eggs, so should be scrubbed with water.
• Previously-used enclosures (and decor) can harbour diseases, though the risk of this is quite small unless the enclosure was used recently for a wild-caught animal that died of unknown causes - in that case you might want to sterilize to be certain, but in general these can just be washed with soap and water.

So basically: think about the risk presented by an item, and take the appropriate precautions.

 

[Nicole C G]

Thank you for clarifying! I think I have all I need. Thank you all for being very nice and helping me!

 

[Stardust1986]

Thank you for clarifying! I think I have all I need. Thank you all for being very nice and helping me!

I always recommend springtails, they eat mold and generally keep any enclosure clean, I personally have had good results with them. I dont recommend collecting anything from outside, you dont know what it's been exposed too, like pestisides