Bug bomb

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I did a dumb thing. I bug bombed my house today...before checking on the forum for guidance. Shirley sleeps in the dining room in her cardboard condo (box). The dining room and kitchen have tile floors. I put her out in the backyard, her box and water bowl on the patio. I did the bug bomb thing and was now cleaning up afterwards. I have been airing the house out and was just now mopping the floor (Shirley comes to the sliding door when she wants in or out, and walks across the tile), when I realized I might be endangering her by letting her in tonight. Is mopping the floor and airing it out enough to keep her safe? Any suggestions? I used a little ammonia and soap suds in the mopping water. Should I make her sleep outside? How long do you think it will be before she can safely come in again? Thanks.
 

Yvonne G

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Most areas of California are mild enough at this point for Shirley to be living outside. Your house will NEVER be safe enough for her to be walking around on the floor. Tortoises need a dedicated enclosure or safe and secure outdoor yard.
 
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Most areas of California are mild enough at this point for Shirley to be living outside. Your house will NEVER be safe enough for her to be walking around on the floor. Tortoises need a dedicated enclosure or safe and secure outdoor yard.
Okay... but this presents a plethora of problems. I know this house has been bug bombed many times before I lived here. Shirley has been living with me for years. I may have done before while she's been with me. And she hibernates annually in a guest room.
I live on Central California. It's already hot here. Our high has hit 99 already. It gets into the 100s more times than not over the summer. Shirley has full run of the backyard. However, she cannot borrow as the ground is entirely hard pan. It's too hard for her to dig in. When she gets hot, she wants inside the house. I left her out all day and all night yesterday. However Monday is the only night I can do so as sprinklers come on ...and I don't want to chance making her sick.
I feel bad about bug bombing, but I can't undo it now. We just have to get through one more summer/fall, and then we are moving to Washington state...and that will introduce a whole new bunch of obstacles and challenges. (I have developed a health issue which inhibits my mobility. I'm moving to be near my family if I need help. They all moved to Washington years ago, which is how Shirley came to me in the first place.)
The box she sleeps in was not bug bombed nor was her water dish.
What do I do? If she can't be inside and can't stay outside...what options do I have? Thanks
 

wellington

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If you need to bring her in the house that is fine. However, its not fine to let her roam the floors of your house. Build her and indoor enclosure and that's where she stays when inside.
 

method89

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I may have missed it... what species of tortoise do you have?
 
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If you need to bring her in the house that is fine. However, its not fine to let her roam the floors of your house. Build her and indoor enclosure and that's where she stays when inside.
She doesn't have run of the house...just the dining. room /kitchen. Mopping the tile floor isn't enough? Generally she just walks from the slider to her box to go to sleep and then her box to the slider to go out...
 

wellington

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She doesn't have run of the house...just the dining. room /kitchen. Mopping the tile floor isn't enough? Generally she just walks from the slider to her box to go to sleep and then her box to the slider to go out...
Mopping the floor should be enough. Its not like a dog or cat that would lick their paws anyway, so it shouldn't be a problem once mopped.
 

wellington

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Oh thank goodness. I've mopped it three times already. I'm so worried about her. Thanks.
Wow, would you come to my house. I don't have bug bomb on my floors but you could mop them anyway lol.
Your good, likely after one mop. For sure after 3.
 
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