Steve: You might consider getting a Stealth Wheel. It has a mesh running track so the pee/poo falls thru. They are sold on SuggieBay. They dont post them until they have around a dozen made. Just check everyday - and word of advice - if you see one - purchase it right away as they ALL sell the same day they are listed. $36 and well worth every penny. They are also quiet! And easy to clean.
As far as cages go - I use vinegar and water. 1 part vinegar to 10 parts water. Vinegar is a natural deodorizor.
[FONT=Comic Sans MS] Amen to that! Mine love the mealworms, but their poop is sooo musky and strong that I cannot stand it. I have 12 babies, and I am about to try a new dry food that is claimed to reduce Sugar Glider odor, and if it works I will post the info somewhere on SGC.
As for the cage bottom, one of my cages is the 2 tier powdercoated one that jmexotics sells, and it has the metal bottom tray. I have ordered the plastic tray to replace that, but it has to come from China, and in the mean time I use the kennel odor eliminator made by the people that make Skunk Off.
I emailed them about a spray for sugar gliders because their odor is slightly like that of a skunk when they are startled, or scared. their products are used in kennels and vets the country over, and they were very helpful when I asked the for info regarding sugar gliders. For info mailto:andy@thornell.com or go check their web site. They also make a ferrett odor eliminator.
I have a wheel that is open on one side and closed on the other side. My gliders love it and yes they do have accidents in it but it doesn't sound as extreme as your case. Also I have read that you can use fragrance free baby wipes to wipe them off if needed. I know mine get poop stuck in there tail sometimes and I use that to get it off.
Someone said they cleaned the cage and the nxt day is smelled worse. I had that problem. What happeneds is, the gliders mark the cage and when you clean everything the next day they work extra hard to mark it, hence he smell. So try cleaning it in parts. Like toys one night, bedding next night and pysical cage the next. It cuts down on smell a lot. They also sell shampoos (make sure it is made for gliders!!!) A HUGE factor in smell is the diet, make sure its proven and healthy. Over feeding vitatims makes urine smell very very bad.
I have an intact male who can smell pretty strongly. I wouldn't suggest a shampoo, because they groom themselves, and any odor radiating from their bodies would suggest a diet problem. However, I have found his urine is what is incredibly strong smelling. I first placed a thin cotton fabric around 3 sides of the cage so when he marks the cage, it doesn't get anywhere besides the bars. I also have an air filter that eliminates all odor from the room. I love it. Getting a male neutered is your best bet to eliminate the urine odors though.
I have had my suggie for just a couple of monthes now, at first I didnt notice an oder - but then after a while - pewwee! I only have her bed and a large wodent wheel in her cage - I took the wheel out and sprayed it down real well, then put it back. Seemed to help LOTS. I am also ordering some oder elimanating stuff from SunCoast. Plus I need to get some bedding, just using newspaper right now. I sure love my suggie! Lori
I used to use the order oliminater, it worked well. But, I find it tends to smell worse. Kinda like sour. I just clean the bottom of the cage every few days and it helps. Since i've lived in my new apt. They haven't really stunk.
i have the same problem with one of my wheels. myn however does not have a cover so it isnt so much of a problem, it just gets seriously grimey real fast... but they love it! i havent had that problem at all with my wodent wheel though for some reason myn jump in and out of it spastically for a few minutes before starting up running and they usually get it all out of their systems then.