It's too hot.

[EmilyK]

I know this has been discussed before, but I couldn't find anything when I searched for the info.

The room I keep my geckos in was 81* when I got home from work at around 8pm tonight. I'm using one of the little yellow Zoo Med digital thermometers. Are they accurate? I've only had this particular one for a couple weeks. I checked all of the geckos already and they're doing fine, but I'm worried about tomorrow. Last year I put up with $200+ PG&E bills, but I'm the only person bringing in money right now, and I don't think I can swing that this summer. It gets 100*+ for long stretches here.

I'll have my dad tell me which direction my window faces tomorrow morning, if it'll help. I've had a small fan going in my room the thermometer says it's still 80.8* four and a half hours later. I also have a large overhead fan, but I'm worried it would lower my humidity too much. All of the cages have water bowls, but.. still...

I'm considering stacking the cages in my bathroom and putting ice water in the tub before I go to work tomorrow, since my bathroom is completely inside the house. Sorry, forgot the correct phrase for it.. it doesn't have any exterior walls? Is there anything else I can do? Would dark, thick curtains keep the heat out or lock it in? Frozen waterbottles wrapped in .. something? How well does the frozen towel on top of the cage work? Any other ideas?

[honuman]

Do you have a well lit basement?  That is usually much cooler then the upper levels of the house.  I doubt 81 degrees will be fatal to them but you really don't want to push the issue.  A/C may be your only option.

[firecrested]

I bought a window AC last year and it cut down my bill and my room stayed cool all summer.

[StickyHands]

I have to agree with the Window A/C idea. I live in Arkansas and it gets over 100 here also. Our house hasn't had central heat or air in my lifetime. We do just fine with the window unit. It does have to work its ass off sometimes but it works. Hopefully you can figure something out because my geckos start going a little crazy over 80 degrees for any amount of time. I would hate for you to loose one but they should be ok if it just happens once or twice, yea.

[EmilyK]

Thanks, everyone! I just found out the AC in our house is broken, but the 7-day forecast looks great, thank goodness.  I'm going to look into getting a window or portable AC unit before it gets this hot again.