How do YOU mist?

[MichiganReptiles]

OK. so I read in a few places that humidity wasn't an issue for A. Geniculata, but now I'm reading other places that they need high humidity. Of course I have a small lid of water in there (because it's a tiny little 1" guy) but I guess if they require 80% humidity I should mist daily too, eh? Do you remove the T before you mist? I mist my reptiles all the time, but they don't mind getting wet. I don't want to irritate my cute little genic

Thanks.

[Scoolman]

OK. so I read in a few places that humidity wasn't an issue for A. Geniculata, but now I'm reading other places that they need high humidity. Of course I have a small lid of water in there (because it's a tiny little 1" guy) but I guess if they require 80% humidity I should mist daily too, eh? Do you remove the T before you mist? I mist my reptiles all the time, but they don't mind getting wet. I don't want to irritate my cute little genic

Thanks.

You will get many replies about how to mist properly. i am going to tell it is a futile effort.
"...spraying or misting a tarantula's cage to increase humidity is mostly an exercise in futility and a waste of time and effort." -- Schultz and Schultz The Tarantula Keepers Guide

If you do a little studying on air flow and weather patterns you will quickly find this to be true.
If you have an open enclosure, allowing for good air flow between the enclosure and the outside air, the mist you spray will quickly evaporate, being assimilated into the outside air, and the air in the enclosure will match that of the air outside. Not to mention, it will annoy and stress your tarantula. Unlike your reptiles, tarantulas prefer not to be wet.
If you have a closed enclosure restricting air flow, the water dish will evaporate and be trapped in the enclosure which in turn will raise the humidity.
Keep in mind that reduced air flow also encourages mold growth, while increased air flow reduces humidity; it is a balancing act to say the least.
I recommend you find that sweet spot that will allow for good air flow but, restrict it enough to hold the humidity.

Just my 12 cents.

[Arachnoholic420]

Just mist on the opposite side of where your T stays in her enclosure.....
thats all...all little mist wont hurt her.... as long as you dont soak her with it.... you should be fine... i mist all arround mine's....

[Slappys_g1rl06]

I mist but not for the purpose of humidity (I think my slings will drink the droplets I wonder if it's just a comfort thing for me). But yeah, when misting... don't spray the t. Spray the other side of the cage. To keep the humidity up, I received a great suggestion from TalonAWD; he suggested using a large needle to put moisture under the substrate. Seems to work for me so far! But it's only been a week!

[smallara98]

I usually spray the sides, with my versicolor. And the leaves and soil, but same with genics. BUT NOT DAILY. Usually 2 times a week would be just fine. How you have fun with the little guy

[Scoolman]

I mist but not for the purpose of humidity (I think my slings will drink the droplets I wonder if it's just a comfort thing for me). But yeah, when misting... don't spray the t. Spray the other side of the cage. To keep the humidity up, I received a great suggestion from TalonAWD; he suggested using a large needle to put moisture under the substrate. Seems to work for me so far! But it's only been a week!

A baster works great to inject water deep into the sub while keeping the surface dry. I use this method myself. If sub is moist down deep the moisture will rise and evaporate into the enclosure maintaining a stable humidity level.

[AbraCadaver]

I mostly only mist my slings and pre-molt babies. This is of the humid species, not the dry ones, obviously. I too live under the assumption they drink of the droplets. With my humid arboreals over 6cm, I just place a large waterbowl. The humidity from this is more than enough, when they stand in the cupboard.

At the moment, ALL my T's are in pre-molt (I know, what the heck?) and I've seen them all hanging out by their water dishes, so I boiled some water, put it in a bowl and stuck it in the cupboard. This got the humidity up a bit, with the steam of the water, without mucking up the enclosures, as Ive had some mold issues in a couple of them.

[Scoolman]

When I housed my 1/2" G pulchra (who are now 1" and still in the same enclosure) I put int in a mixture of coco choir and pete humus that was moist, packed it firmly and added a layer of dry coco choir to the top. I have never had to adjust humidity over the past 4 months. I just top of the water dish, which is a cap from a 12oz water bottle.

[MichiganReptiles]

Thanks for all of your replies. Since I have the little guy in the smallest KK it's not easy to "mist one side" without getting him in the process. The KK has the vents in the top so the ventilation should be ok, right? There is good air circulation in the room they are in; I don't have them put away anywhere. So do I just rely on the water dish to provide humidity?

If I injected water deep in the substrate, wouldn't that cause mold issues as well?

[Scoolman]

Thanks for all of your replies. Since I have the little guy in the smallest KK it's not easy to "mist one side" without getting him in the process. The KK has the vents in the top so the ventilation should be ok, right? There is good air circulation in the room they are in; I don't have them put away anywhere. So do I just rely on the water dish to provide humidity?

If I injected water deep in the substrate, wouldn't that cause mold issues as well?

Only add enough water to moisten the sub, not create a swamp. I if have water in the bottom that is not absorbed by the substrate then you have put far too much. The substrate should always quickly absorb any water you add.

[xhexdx]

Misting is more for arboreals and more so they can drink the water droplets from the sides of the enclosure.

If you want high humidity, keep the water dishes full and keep some of the substrate damp.

Most of the other responses have already covered it all anyway.

[MichiganReptiles]

Misting is more for arboreals and more so they can drink the water droplets from the sides of the enclosure.

If you want high humidity, keep the water dishes full and keep some of the substrate damp.

Most of the other responses have already covered it all anyway.

Are you just naturally cranky?

[MichiganReptiles]

Only add enough water to moisten the sub, not create a swamp. I if have water in the bottom that is not absorbed by the substrate then you have put far too much. The substrate should always quickly absorb any water you add.

Thank you for your help. I greatly appreciate it.

[Shell]

Are you just naturally cranky?

I don't see how that was cranky at all. Joe gave you his opinion based off experiences and acknowledged that most of it had been covered already. Nothing cranky there, however with people responding to him like that I can understand how one would get cranky.

[AbraCadaver]

In all fairness, Joe does have a record of being blunt and straightforward, it can be misinterpreted for rudeness through a computer screen. When I first started posting here, I found Joe to be a bit of a toe rag(no offence=p), but after some time I realized that no matter how blunt, straight forward and rude it may seem, he's pretty much always right, and a great asset to the hobby and this site.. So if you just look past the blunt tone in the posts, and use the info, you'll find you come to like him much better.. =p