moth traps?

[Soundguy]

This isn't our first rodeo with the birds.. been doing it for years. Usually we throw the seed into the deep freezer in a garbage bag for weeks while we use up the other bags ( we buy large bulk bags ), then when we do pull the sesd out we keep it in an airtight cannister as we use it.

the problem started when my wife left for a trip and bought a spare bag and left it in the bird room.. when that bag got opened.. a good handfull of moths escaped.. those are the ones i'm trying to control..

I'm well aware of the insectiside issue with small birds.. etc.

the bag was the 'point source'

so far we have kept them isolated tothe bird room, and the bag was sequestered to prevent further release.. just want to deal with the escapees befre it gets out of hand.

looks liekthe traps are doing their thing.. i went and got some already.

soundguy

I work in the food business and was interested to see this thread. Indian Meal Moths are a real pain and I can maybe help a bit.

a) they thrive in birdseed because it is not ground or cooked like other foods. Many of the seed items you buy for domestic or wild birds are fumigated but that does not kill the eggs or pupae (common for insecticides).

b) heat stimulates them to hatch. Think of the wilds - bug lays egg, egg sits dormant over winter, warm weather wakes it up and viola, a new bug.

c) find the "mother ship" - there is always a colony that is the source of the infestation.

d) you can kill them by freezing. If you have a small bag of seed toss it into the freezer overnight

e) pheremone traps are not intended to stop infestations. They are actually indicators to detect infestation and the level of same. You need a bug spray or something to kill them off.

f) some birds, particularly canaries can get very sick or die from bug sprays. Remove them all if you fumigate the room.

g) probably the best thing to do is toss the stuff, clean the room like crazy, and start over with the seed in separate airtight containers. That way you can limit the spread and also identify problems when they are isolated.

Good luck!