DIY Reptile Misters

Reptiles are delicate pets that require very specialized care from their owners in order to remain healthy and happy. Though reptiles are an extremely varied type of animal, from desert dwellers to jungle inhabitants, many need a moist environment in order to best thrive. This can be achieved at home by using a mister, which is quite easy to make.

  1. Spray Bottles

    • Spray bottles are the absolute best homemade misters around. Just get any spray bottle, clean it out, fill it with lukewarm water and lightly spray your animals daily as needed. Do not use cold water, as reptiles and amphibians require warmth and cold water will only leave them lethargic. If you're planning on using a used spray bottle that was once filled with any sort of chemical, make sure it is thoroughly cleaned first with hot water. However, even a good cleaning cannot remove all chemical residues that could be detrimental to the reptile's health, so it's best to use a new bottle as a mister.

    Automatic Sprinkler

    • For those who may not be around all the time or are planning an extended vacation, you can make an automatic mister. This takes a little more expertise and will require that your reptile enclosure has a screen lid. You will need two small hoses, a water source, a misting adapter to place at one end of the hose, and a watering timer like the kind used for sprinklers in gardens.

      To make an automatic mister, attach the misting adapter to one end of the hose and another end to the "output" of the watering timer, which will be clearly labeled. Now attach the other small hose to the other end of the watering timer (the "input") and attach the open end to a continuous water source like a faucet. Set the timer and place the misting end of the hose on top of the cage, taping it down if you have to. The watering timer will then open and shut, allowing water to flow through the hoses to the mister at the intervals you've specified.