OE Cleaning Solution

[Megathymus ursus]

I saw a couple online recipes suggesting a 10% household bleach solution (1 part bleach, 9 parts water) and tried it this month with a batch of eggs. I misted it on over a couple minutes and then immediately misted them off with pure water. All hatched. Thus, it definitely does not kill the bugs at least. My sample is too small though to see if it actually works.

Who here uses this solution in large amounts?
BB

[Keith Petrosky]

I just clean cages out with warm water and scrub. Chemicals are too much of a risk.

[Paula]

Bleach 1 part to 9 parts water probably too strong for rearing cages, even if rinsed well, as this 1:9 ratio is too strong for bird cages per Vet. Nothing beats boiling water to sterilize --> let boiling water stand within rearing cage or rearing cage [if wire] sitting within boiled water for 5 minutes. As long as water at point just started boiling [not too high temp], even most plastic rearing cages tolerate this -- just in case any residue from plastic after boiled water w/i, rinse & scrub well after placing boiling water within plastic [as chemicals from plastic are toxic].

[Megathymus ursus]

I have been using full-power bleach lately not only to disinfect rearing tubs, but the plant itself. No toxicity seen.

Brian