HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I don't know if this topic fits in here (hope so) but sometimes my mom sprays scented fumes in my room and i have hermits in there. Could they get sick from it? We don't use any bug spray or stuff MEANT to kill insect-like creatures. The tank lid is made mostly of wire with lots of holes for air.

Any fragrance (aerosol deodorizer, scented candles, perfume, etc) should be avoided as it can negatively affect their breathing.

Omg I won't do it then. What can it do to their gills and breathing? Just out of curiosity.

My tanks have glass lids that are fairly well fitted. Both tanks are in the living room. Before I spray anything in the house or even outside in the yard, I seal my tanks with Saran wrap--just to be safe. I leave the wrap on until I can't smell the odor of the spray anymore.

I don't ever use perfume or deodorizer sprays. I think the smell awful and I hate them. I do, occasionally spray cleaning supplies in the house but I'm super careful to wrap my tanks before cleaning day.

I would say that you should at least close your bedroom door and seal the tanks with plastic wrap any time any one sprays in the house--not just in your room. Aerosol spray droplets travel!! You can't be too careful!

My mom uses wax melts a room over from where the tank is, so far I haven't had any problems with those but I think that how they work is different than a spray.

Well I always have my room door closed so my sister doesn't get in and I don't spray anything except perfume or deodorant on me and I go far away to even do that but I guess I'll start going in the closet to put perfume on.

I would not use any scents in there. Glass is porous. Even though it looks solid it is not. Just my recommendation

GotButterflies wrote:I would not use any scents in there. Glass is porous. Even though it looks solid it is not. Just my recommendation

Glass is not porous. If it was your drinks would leak out of the glasses and fish tanks wouldn't hold water. However, I do agree that sprays etc shouldn't be used around crabs. No tank is perfectly sealed unless you put duct tape around the edges and COVER the air pump as well if you run one. Even if you do this you need to leave it a while before opening it up so that stuff you have sprayed will have settled on the ground/furniture and no longer be hanging in the air. Then you should also wipe the tank and air pump and table it is all sitting on.

Lol! You are right! I guess I'm used to looking at it under a microscope


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Frankly, perfumes, air fresheners, incense, scented candles, etc., shouldn't be used around any "caged" animal, especially creatures such as hermit crabs and rodents as they have very delicate respiratory systems. Dogs and cats can at least remove themselves from the area if the fumes bother them.

My tank is draped most times w a towel. I cover it all the way if we do anything (vacuum, occasionally burn incense, spray Fabreeze) As mentioned above, HC cant get away, but when I do these things, I observe my guys, never have i see them dig/hide/try to escape the fumes, or act different in any way. My Aquarium is in a corner w a fitted plastic lid. The thick towel covers the entire top So far so good. I guess its personal choice, but use your head.

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