Humidity in the House = Zilch

[TyggyToo]

In the 'front room' where two birds and two reptiles cohabitate (with privacy screens for the faint of heart of all involved) I have nearly a dozen plants ranging from ferns to ficus, pothos to philodendron most with water in their catch trays; a soaked towel on the lowheat oil radiator; catch basin from drippage in one cham cage and sand box for drippage in the other; and a two gallon jug of water dechlorinating, with 2 more pitchers in various fulnesses. I misted three times, enough to soak the screens and make the chams really really aggravated.

My official high accuracy, certified hygrometer reads 15%

I'm hearing of you people with 70% humidity and have vapor envy.

Grumpily (and most dryly) yours,
Tyg

 

[BugCatcher]

Wow 15%... Thats pretty dry. I would not be a happy camper with so little moisture in the air let alone my Chams. I can't stand the dry air but I'm partial to the humidity being a FL Cracker lol.

 

[nightcrawler]

Have you tried a humidifier?

 

[SonTigerPantherCham]

Whoa, that is tough. I think Rafael(Eltortu) gets way better and he is in the desert!
I agree with the cool air humidifier.
But watch you'd electric bill!

 

[Elizadolots]

Is that 15% standing in the middle of the room? Or is that an average? Do the birds really want high humidity? What is the humidity in each of the chameleon cages?

I think you need to concentrate on the chameleon cages. Have you wrapped 3 sides in plastic? Are there live plants inside the enclosures?

You might consider getting "hydro balls". Put them in a mesh bag so they can't be chomped, soak them, put the bag in the bottom of the cage.

Or, fill a terracotta pot with hydrated water crystals (aka: cricket water), tape nylon netting or part of a sock over the top, soak the pot in water, put that in the bottom of the cage.

 

[SonTigerPantherCham]

Giggle, I put hydro balls in my closet to try and get the humidity out!!

 

[Elizadolots]

You should convert that closet into a chameleon enclosure.

 

[sandrachameleon]

I imagine 15% is pretty hard on human skin much less chams. Ever considered getting a humidifier ? or a fish tank?

 

[Whatcamo]

I imagine 15% is pretty hard on human skin much less chams. Ever considered getting a humidifier ? or a fish tank?

Haha fish tank yeah mine makes my windows drip with condensation but I have a very large one my room humidity is at 40% with out it or in the rest of the house it's only 20% so I know your feeling I'd for sure plastic of 3 sides cram the cage full of live plants mist with warm water and google DIY vivarium fogger! You'll have your humidity up right where you want it!

 

[Norcalmatt]

Auto mister done deal or.fogged. I think.misting would be buetter so they can drink

 

[hollycham]

wow and i was worrying about mine being down between 50 and 60 in freds cage all the time except for right after i spray it jumps to about 75 sometimes even 80 for about the next hour....

 

[Whatcamo]

Auto mister done deal or.fogged. I think.misting would be buetter so they can drink

Fogging will also produce enough moister to drink but however it usually won't stimulate drinking like misting but is a nice bonus to help with humidity it's great used in conjunction as the fog gives off more humidity than misting alone

 

[Bernie]

I recently had the opposite problem. My flat had humidity of around 70% and I had to buy a dehumidifier!

 

[TyggyToo]

Tons of good ideas there. Thanks. Hydroballs appear to be the low-tech go-to solution for all your humidity woes. Cricket water gel...that's easy enough and very inexpensive.

So cold air humidifier is the current considered the 'healthy' humidifier? Last I looked (admittedly some 20 years ago) ultrasonic humidifiers were thought to aerosolize virus particles; warm mist bred bacteria, etc. I gave up comparing and used a kettle.

The readings: I have an exoterra probe at the front top, just outside, Mort's cage. The officially standardized high end monitor is located at the top front of Shayna's. Every morning I check high/low of temp and humidity. Today it was 85F to 65F and 31% to 11%.

I have a privacy wrap around Shayna's cage, and got material to arrange for one that will fit both cages. Its heavy duty outdoor upholstery fabric. Not plastic, but I hope it will suffice.

I've been waiting to install a mister in their cages until Mort calms down and doesn't look at me with distrust every time I open his cage, but I've got to get more moisture in there quickly. As for the birds, they're pretty hardy when it comes to temp and humidity, and they're as often in the shower with us, or in the kitchen with the kettles going.

Submitted for your approval,
Tyg

 

[Whatcamo]

If you use the fabric just use caution and maybe wash it bi-monthly or monthly or just try to be proactive and get it washed before it starts to get a funky smell indicator of it breeding bacteria of course

 

[Elizadolots]

Plastic would actually be better for your humidity issues. Once the fabric gets wet, of course, it will help, but only then and, as noted, you'll be having bacteria issues if you don't wash it daily.

Shower curtain works. Even plastic food wrap (Saran type) will work and it's not terribly expensive. If you end up using a see through wrap, you can put a privacy wrap over that.