BellaOnline Forums Home and Garden Birds Moth invasion--How do I prevent? Kill?

Hi all,
I'm sure this topic has been addressed before but I couldn't find a post. I have 15 birds--parakeets, lovies, cockatiels and a quaker. All seed is kept in lidded containers. I recycle uneaten seed by letting the wind blow shells away as I pour from one container to another. I was about to open a "recycled" container when I noticed 10-12 small moths clinging to the inside. I set the container outside and let the moths out. Should I dispose of this seed (feed to native birds)? or is it safe to feed my birds?
Can I prevent these moths and/or is there a safe way to kill them?

Hi Janet - the SAFE thing to do would be to throw it away & let the outdoor birds benefit. However, a few moths have probably not ruined the seed completely and many birds do eat bugs, so another option would be to freeze the whole container to kill any left over moths and to keep that container in the freezer (only removing what you need for each day.

I would actually be more concerned about bird droppings in the recycled seed than an occasional moth, but I'm hoping that your food dishes are placed in such a way that there are none.

Keeping seeds in the freezer is actually a good way to keep it fresh on a regular basis anyway and any new seed you purchase can go directly there until needed.

Janet - talk about irony! I was flipping through one of my billion catalogs and found an article on moth control in birdseed. Hopefully this will be useful to you! You can check out the products available at www.DrsFosterSmith.com. Just go to the bird catalog and look under insect control *S* Best of luck *S*

I definantly agree that freezing seeds is the best, and definantly throw out anything already contaminated.

As for recycling the foods, do you put the same food back into the same cages? Do you do it right away, or does "recycled" food have a chance to sit around? Because its already been exposed to the birds and contaminants are present due to beaks and feet and possible droppings I'd almost work on a new feeding plan if you have a LOT of food waste or "leftovers".