Pantry moths in 5gal bucket feeder

[DrFeathers]

Have been using a 5gal bucket feeder (the one with a 3" pipe elbow set into the bottom portion, found plans on BYC) and just opened the top to check feed level to find a few pantry moths flying around inside.

No moths inside the garage in big metal garbage can with feed and scratch stock - just this bucket outside in coop where birds are actively feeding.

Is it ok to let them keep eating the current bucket of feed which presumably has pantry moth larvae also eating it? Maybe I just hang some moth traps in the garage to protect the main stock and also (gasp) our house from getting infested? Should I stick a moth trap inside the bucket? Any advice from someone who's been there?

 

[blackdog043]

It has not happened to me yet, but I would just use up, whats in the bucket.

 

[DrFeathers]

May have answered my own question - I tossed about a half cup of food grade DE on top of the food in bucket and mixed it around.

Was that the right thing to do? Should I do that with the bucket feeder from now on? Again - thoughts form people who have done this before

 

[Folly's place]

The DE will kill the larva so you won't have new moths hatching, a good thing. I wonder about the age of the feed; are you only buying fresh by always checking mill dates on the bags? It should be used up by five or six weeks after milling, not a lot older. If you just have an infestation outside, and not a lot of larva, it should be fine to feed. Fast. If there's any doubt about freshness, get rid of it. Mary

 

[lazy gardener]

Yet one more reason why fermented feed is preferable. I would also consider the source of the feed to be suspect. Once those moths make it into your house, you've got a huge problem on your hands. Been there, done that!