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I had the same problem with moths also. I called the place where I had purchased the bird seed and they told me to place the bird seed in the freezer a few days, like many of you have indicated here. It seems that the freezer is the answer to many of our problems. So, I store most everything in the freezer nowadays, cereal, coffee, all types of batteries, and other things as well, including the bird seed.
I've been in the bird business since 1979 and freezing the seed is the best preventative. I always keep some of the sticky traps around but they in themselves will not eliminate the problem. The wife and I also have a couple of electronic tennis rackets around the house to zap the occasional flyer.
Okay, I've had parakeets for 12 or more years. With my first 2 birds, I never had a problem. After they died I decided to purchase 2 new birds. Now I have moths that I never had before. I bought the traps and yes they work but they capture so many, I can't imagine where they're hiding. I purchased sealed food and freeze it. I then fill a container with a twist top and I still have moths! I've moved the birds out of my room and even got rid of the old dresser they were on and cleaned and vacuumed every molding etc and still the trap catches them!! The birds are in a spare room (basically empty) for the summer and in my bedroom, the trap is still catching moths! What the heck? I can't figure this one out except that my other birds were tame and I could take the entire cage and clean it in the shower which I'm not able to do with these 2 crazies. I guess I'll have to let them out more and just dunk the cage in hot water every couple days. Got to go out and get more traps~think I'll order a 6 pack or more and try again to eliminate this issue.
Okay, I've had parakeets for 12 or more years. With my first 2 birds, I never had a problem. After they died I decided to purchase 2 new birds. Now I have moths that I never had before. I bought the traps and yes they work but they capture so many, I can't imagine where they're hiding. I purchased sealed food and freeze it. I then fill a container with a twist top and I still have moths! I've moved the birds out of my room and even got rid of the old dresser they were on and cleaned and vacuumed every molding etc and still the trap catches them!! The birds are in a spare room (basically empty) for the summer and in my bedroom, the trap is still catching moths! What the heck? I can't figure this one out except that my other birds were tame and I could take the entire cage and clean it in the shower which I'm not able to do with these 2 crazies. I guess I'll have to let them out more and just dunk the cage in hot water every couple days. Got to go out and get more traps~think I'll order a 6 pack or more and try again to eliminate this issue.
Once you see the moths, it's too late. To solve the problem, you have to kill the larvae which, for lack of a better description, look like inchworms. They hide in cracks and crevices and then work their way up to the ceiling and closet moldings. Look for worm like creatures and their cocoons and remove. Spray the cracks and crevices along the molding and baseboard with a pyrethrin based insecticide such as Cy-kick or 221L which are both manufactured by BASF. Also, if you store your bird feed in plastic containers, inspect the lids closely for the larvae. Indian meal moths also flourish in flour based products such as pasta, dried flower arrangements, DeCon mouse bait, and the dried garlic wallhangings which grace many Italian kitchens.
Last edited by paperman1111; 08-31-2013 at 03:59 PM..
Reason: i do know the difference between a personal and possessive pronoun
Wow. In all my years of having all different kinds of birds. I've never had any moths.
Did not know about the trick to freezing seed either. But never found moths in the seed to begin with.
If I did, I'd stop buying that brand.
I have to thank you guys for helping me to start clearing up my moth problem! Never heard of "moth traps" before but see that WalMart sells them. Yippee! I also am now freezing my parakeet and parrot's food before I open them. Great idea. Thanks so much.
We bought a home in CT,estate sale,vacant but heated etc.had infestation.After 3-4 weeks work got rid of moths.We now have moth traps from Home Depot,expensive but work.They have chemical which will attract the moths.
I have to thank you guys for making my life better. With the tips of freezing the seed and moth traps, my home is almost moth free now. Can't thank you all enough!
They're Indian meal moths. Had a heck of a time keeping them in check when I was in the pet biz. Usually had one or two flying around the store at any given time.
Freeze the seed when you get it home. That should take care of them.
We have a couple of spiders that roam the kitchen at night, once the Moths are gone the Spiders disappear soon afterwards…or you can just freeze the seed first
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