Conference 7.286::pet_birds

    I think the little critters are called Egyptian grain moths, or some
    such.  Their eggs are on the seed when you buy it usually.  Even with
    a plastic container, if you buy a large quantity of seed and only use
    it a little at a time, you will run the risk of the moth's life cycle
    happening in your seed container, no matter how clean everything is,
    or airtight.  The airtight container *can* help keep *out* any moths
    you have flying around that would lay more eggs to add to the ones
    that are already there.  
    
    The preservatives in some of the commercially available seed mixes seem
    to have no relationship to whether you get moths or not, at least in my
    experience.  I guess this makes sense, since the preservative is to
    keep the grain fresh, not bug-free. A preservative is not the same as
    an insecticide, which would work on the moths, but probably make the
    bird sick or even kill him, so beware of being tempted to spray
    insecticides unless they have been cleared for use with birds (there is
    one that is safe, but I don't  recall the name right now).
    
    A local grain store advises buying only what you will use in a two-week
    timeframe, for instance, to reduce the chance that the eggs hatch,
    become larvae (caterpillars), make cocoons, and come back as moths.
    Since larger quantities of grain are usually cheaper than small
    amounts, you may have to make a choice between no moths and a little
    higher cost for feeding your Amazon parrot.
    
    I'd hate to see you give up on your bird because of the moths!! Hope
    you will consider trying the following: Toss all you have on hand, in
    case it has been around awhile so the moth's life cycle is in progress.
    Buy the freshest seed you can find, in an amount estimated to last
    no more than two weeks.  Give an extra thorough scrub to any containers
    you have been using (perhaps even feeding dishes and *the cage*...the
    moths can lay eggs and have them hatch, etc, on the smallest amount
    of dropped seed that slips behind the cage liner tray, for instance).
    You might want to go as far as doing the washing with a 1/4 cup of
    bleach to a gallon of water, plus dish soap, to make sure you are 
    killing anything on the surfaces, such as moth eggs!!  When you see
    any larvae or flying moths, zap them immediately. Check the area around
    the cage for any moths sitting peacefully on the sides of hiding under
    table legs...zap to them too.  You can beat this, but it will take some
    extra effort and probably a few weeks to really get rid of them.
    
    One last suggestion: freeze your seed supply for 2+ days when you first
    get it, then store it in the refrigerator instead of out in the open.
    The moth eggs will not all be killed, but the life cycle will be 
    drastically slowed down, according to one bird seed company.  I have 
    tried this and it works like a charm. 
    
    Good luck!  And if you discover some other ways to cope with these 
    flying wonders, pls. put a note here so we can all learn about it!
    
    Linda

    My note doesn't help with the problem, but show how the bugs don't need
    much air. I buy Cracked corn that I feed to the wild birds in my yard and
    the Ducks at the local ponds. I had a coffee can almost full of cracked
    corn ready to take to feed the ducks, but never got there that day. I
    opened the can about 6 months later to find the top of the corn covered
    with dead moths. It appears they went through their whole life cycle in
    a covered coffee can.
    
    I buy 2 lb bags of Topper and never have moths. of course the 2 lb bags
    last only about 2 weeks.
    
    Doug

    I just give it a zap in the micro wave to a few seconds and that ends
    the cycle for sure.  
    
    Mark
    

    Be careful with those moths.  They like wool!  My husband had a pair
    of wool slacks that did not make it into storage last spring and
    therefore remained in our closet along with a wool sweater of mine.
    Last week he decided to wear the the slacks but when he put them on
    there were several tiny holes in the front of the slacks.  We could
    not think of anything else that would do that but a moth.  It wasn't
    until I decided to wear my sweater this week that I noticed a small
    hole on the collar.  Upon investigating it I found the familiar larvae
    suspended on the sweater.  Yes it was one of those little grain moth
    critters.  So, Just be careful, especially around your woolens.
    
    Denise.

    We had problems with the moths from the seeds and our wool clothing
    too.  A cedar closet for storage has helped a lot (I can't stand the
    smell of those chemical things you can put in closets, but they do
    seem to work).  The microwave idea is great! I'm going to give that
    a try.
    
    Linda

    
    Thanks all! espally Linda!  I will toss out the barrell of food and
    start buying a small bad and see what happens....its a pain but I guess
    it what you have to do when your  bird lover...(even thought the bird
    hates *me*)
    
    Louisa

    You're welcome!  This is what the notes file is all about...sharing
    information...experiences....things that work...things that don't.
    I haven't tried the microwave zapping suggested in an earlier reply
    to your note, Louisa, but it sure would save on freezer space in
    my house if I could do it that way.  Let us know how you make out
    with your attempts to get rid of the moths and anything they laid
    eggs on!!
    
    Linda

    Good Morning!
    
    I don't have any problems with bugs or moths.  When I buy any seeds
    for my "two spoiled brats", I transfer it into clean glass screwtop
    jars.
    
    It is easy to store on the shelf and sealed so nothing can get into
    it.
    
    I do/did have a problem with field mice when I first got the birds
    and did not store the seeds in the jars.  Decon helped that problem
    - at least I hope it did!
    
    I understand some of you have a large number of birds and use a
    lot of seed.  Large glass screwtop jars can often be found at a
    local restaurant. They throw them away anyway, and would probably
    be glad to let you have a few.                           
    
    Just an idea that helped me, so I thought I would pass it on.
    
    Regards,
    
       Susan Sipila