Bugs In and On the Food Bags?

[AGirlAndHerChickens]

For a while I thought it was just layer crumble dust clinging to the bag, but on closer inspection, I could see that it was eggs and little, white bugs. What are they? How concerned should I be?

 

[casportpony]

I think they are called grain mites.

 

[Folly's place]

I also think grain mites. Hope it's not in your house! Return it to the store, without infesting your car, and complain! Lots of insects in the feed, not so good, and the storage area at the store might be infested, so look hard before getting another bag there.
Do you check the mill date on each bag of feed? New should be better than old.
This is one place where DE is effective, in the feed it will kill the grain mites, and be safe to eat. I'd much rather not deal with either the mites or the DE though.
Mary

 

[AGirlAndHerChickens]

Thanks for the input! Hopefully none got inside. I had some on the sleeve of my shirt, but I threw in in the wash once I got inside. Do you know what all they eat?

 

[Folly's place]

Grain mites eat grain!

 

[AGirlAndHerChickens]

Would Dumor layer feed count in that category?

 

[Painted Calls]

1,000% grain mites. Let the feed atore know and they will refund you.

Where do you buy your feed, and how long does a bag last?

Good tips for trying to avoid grain mites...

- ALWAYS check the mill date. Do not buy anything more than a week old.

- Try to buy from places that store their feed in a climate controlled building.

- Try to store it in a cool dry place if possible. The heat and humidity make grain mite populations explode.

- Try not to buy more feed than a 2 weeks worth supply. The longer it sits, the higher the chances for "moving dust".

 

[AGirlAndHerChickens]

I buy my feed from Tractor supply, which is the only store we can get chicken food from within a half-hour's distance from our house.
One bag usually lasts about a week or so.
And thanks for the tips! It definitely helps!

 

[Folly's place]

I buy within one month or less of the mill date, and use it up within another month. I't stored in it's original bag in garbage cans at the coop, up out of the damp, protected from weather.
This would not make me happy, and I hope you can get something less 'active' soon!
Mary

 

[Lilokieescorter]

Thank you for this, I thought I had something else going in & went a bought Diatomaceous earth & sprinkled 7dust in the roost ! I transfer my feed to 5gal TSC buckets which I seal & open as needed