Moth question

[atarasi]

Hello, haven't been online much recently due to other projects, but now I got a big problem I can't ignore. I have moths!
I'm a little confused because I have several moth traps and they do next to nothing. For the most part, the moths cling to the ceiling and don't move. I expected them to fly around when I brought the pheomone traps in. Nothing. Now the seed husks "stick" together and I have worms/larvae. I'm pretty convinced they are grain/flour moths, but why aren't they effected by the traps? I thought maybe the 1st set of traps might have been old, but the second set (different brand) are just as ineffective. What gives?
Aside from being nasty and disgusting, is there any ill effect on the finches for having moths?

[Sally]

I have had problems with seed moths too, and the biggest problem for me is that I use seed hoppers, and the seed seems to clump together and not move thru the hopper as smoothly. I keep my seed in vermin-proof containers or in the freezer, and the seed is fine when it comes out of the containers, but then the seed in the hoppers gets contaminated. I too find that the moth traps don't work that well, mine catch a few, but not all. It doesn't seem to have hurt the finches, some even say that the insectivorous species will eat them, but I don't see any evidence of that.

[atarasi]

Thanks Sally. You consistently come thru for me and I appreciate you being here.

[cindy]

Hi...I can ask my husband what is a safe and easy way to get rid of the moths. He is an Entomologist.

[mickp]

all you need do is add some st helenas to your collection, they love a feed of moths

[Raleighwheels]

I too have a seed moth problem. I have yet to get any traps because they are too expensive in my opinion. It seems like I smash one moth, and three pop up in its place. My finches seem to be scared of them, so I can't rely on the birds eating them. My society finch does alarm calls whenever they fly too close to the cage.

[atarasi]

Traps? Expensive? I bought a set of 2 for $5 bucks. But I guess it doesn't matter the cost if they don't work effectively, right?

I really need to do a thorough cleaning and remove all the cages and bomb that room, but I don't want to harm the birds when I put them back.

Funny about the society sounding the alarm when a moth flies close! I'm wondering if moths would be disruptive enough to cause them to stop breeding/incubating/feeding? All my Gouldians are in the middle of the molt anyway, but the Owls are incubating and debating if I should just wait.

[Raleighwheels]

[quote="atarasi"]Traps? Expensive? I bought a set of 2 for $5 bucks. But I guess it doesn't matter the cost if they don't work effectively, right?quote]

Well, a pet shop close by sells them for like $12.

[atarasi]

I bought mine at Lowe's. The brand name is "Safer" Pantry Pest Trap. You can also find traps on Ebay. Free shipping too!

[Raleighwheels]

I bought mine at Lowe's. The brand name is "Safer" Pantry Pest Trap. You can also find traps on Ebay. Free shipping too!

Thanks for the tip! I may look into them the next time I am at Lowe's. I may just get them if they are inexpensive. Even if they don't get them all, I figure some is better than none

[Ursula]

I have them too and can never get rid of them completely. I also use the traps from Lowe's and they seem to work ok. I place them behind or on top of cabinets in the living room (which is adjacent to the aviary), the kitchen and laundry room (where I keep the seed) and I can see moths in them. I believe though that it takes a little while for them to work, because the pheromone only attracts the males and not the female moths. So the idea is to trap the males and then the females can't reproduce, or something like that. However, when there are finally less of them it's time to get new seed and that will bring new moths in the house...

I've given up on even trying to get rid of them completely, I just try to keep them out of my kitchen and I also keep seeds in closed containers instead of just in the paper bags.

I don't think the moths and worms in the seed harm the birds. My button quail actually like to hunt the moths, and it's always fun to see them jump up in the air trying to catch them...

[nixity]

I had a brief problem with moths in the summer of 2008.
Bought some contaminated seed from a pet store that sold seed from open bins (didn't think anything of it) and they got into everything.

The only way to fix the problem is to dispose of the contaminated food you have (not for nothing but the larvae consume the seeds, crap all in it, then build cocoons within the feed which is why the seeds are "sticking together" - I don't consider this a healthy food choice for the birds). The larvae and moths defecating in the food opens you up to a whole world of other nasties that come into the picture via the feces etc.

Do you let your birds continue to eat seed if they have defecated all in it? I imagine not.. :\

This is how I got rid of my moths -
I threw away all of my food that I had out in the bird room, because upon inspection, even food in plastic bags, the bags had been chewed through and the food was contaminated.
I bought a bag of finch seed to hold me over until I got a new order of seed in, and I vowed never to buy from open bins ever again.

How I got rid of the moths themselves?
I sucked them up with a vaccuum.
While I was still seeing moths in the room, I kept my seed in the refrigerator.

It took about a month, but after that, they were all gone, and I've never had a problem since.
To prevent re-infestation you can try Diotamaceous Earth mixed in with your feed, or I know some individuals use Orange Oil but personally I hate the smell.

[L in Ontario]

I've never had seed moths. A few fruit flies or gnats in the heat of summer, but never seed moths. I guess there is an advantage to living north of the border!

I hope you can get rid of them soon.

[Ursula]

Where do you guys buy your seeds that you never have moths? I got them from seeds from different sources, also from some where I never had problems with moths before. Sooner or later they all have them. I'm sure the climate has a lot to do with it...

I personally don't see the difference between my birds eating mealworms or fruit flies or seed moths... If they like them why should they be bad for them? Since the seed moths have not been outside but just in the bird seed I also don't see them likely to be infectous with some disease...

[dfcauley]

OMG.... I am NOT a bug person of any kind. I thought I had them one time and freaked out. Upon closer inspection my husband told me that they were "ladybugs",
They come this time of the year every year and manage to get into my aviary, but are dead within a few weeks.

Good luck to all of you getting rid of these pest!