Bacteria in humidifier?

[Nathan Tetzlaff]

While I was cleaning out my humidifier today, I noticed a red-ish residue in the reservoir. Curious, I did a google search and discovered the likely culprit is a bacteria called Serratia Marcescens. Apparently this bacteria is very common. I'm currently cleaning my humidifier out using a white vinegar/water solution.

How concerned should I be with this? I did a search on the net for the bacteria effecting pets, and it said often times it will infect a dog's water bowl, but no harmful effects happen. I tried finding information on the bacteria and amphibians, but didn't come up with much. Does anyone here have any experience with this?

[DVirginiana]

It lives in the water pipes. There's a good chance it's already in your frog's water dish (and in your drinking water). The only reason you see it on the humidifier is that the colonies have been undisturbed long enough to grow to a visible size. I've not seen any studies about that specific bacteria and amphibians, but I imagine it's harmless since it's so common. If it wasn't you'd have seen something about it.
You're talking about the pink stuff like what you see making rings in bathtubs, right?
Since you used vinegar in the humidifier, maybe run it in another room for a day just to make sure all the vinegar is gone. For the tank and water dish, normal cleaning should prevent excessive buildups of any bacteria.

[Mentat]

Once it shows up, S. marcescens is hard to get rid off (it's an airborne bacteria) so do increase the humidifier cleaning schedule. Would check with manufacturer to see if could run a standard 1 cup bleach/gal of water solution through it and soak all non electric parts for 15-20 minutes in bleach solution. Then rinse well and soak on a 10X strong dechlorinator solution. Should be nice and clean after that.

Since it's airborne, if you have other sites in house with it (check toilets and showers) there is possibility of relapse, so will need to clean other areas and the humidifier more frequently.

S. marcescens is pathogenic to some humans; but got no references to it affecting frogs. Imagine it's the same way and could affect unhealthy or compromised immunity individual ones. Good luck !