(no subject)

[ebonlock]

You know how I said before I thought I'd taken care of the crazy moth problem in my house? Well I was wrong. Also these moths have the most disturbing little white maggot-like caterpillars and they're everywhere including the ceiling. I did find the location of their cocoons and that box is now outside until I can figure out what to do with it. Unfortunately the discovery caused me to completely flake on my lunch plans with reluctantgenius, first time I've done that and I feel just wretched.

You know what would be really cool? Just one season without a weird bug infestation.

Comments

[elenderel.livejournal.com]

If it's what I'm thinking of, those moths make me nuts. They eat through some plastics and all paper/cardboard and just LOVE grains. I called them "grain bugs" until I discovered what they were really called. This site has illustrations of the most common pests.

I had a problem with rice weevils (thanks to a bag of jasmine rice from Wegmans, of all places) and a couple other pests a couple of years ago and nothing eliminated them except replacing all, and I mean ALL, nuts/grains/flours/cereals that were in plastic or cardboard containers with brand-new foodstuffs and storing them in Ziploc bags inside sealed canisters. It took some time but it's been effective. You'll have to be vigilant against any bugs that didn't happen to be in the foodstuff that gets thrown out; they'll come back to the pantry or wherever and decide to set up camp and start the cycle all over again.

Good luck to you.

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

They're Indianmeal moths (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indianmeal_moth) apparently and I'm going to have to get rid of a bunch of stuff it looks like. There are a bunch of the larvae up where I can't reach them currently but I at least got the worst of them outside. I'm just glad I've got the cat food in a plastic container. Still...sigh.

I did order some cedar stuff that's supposed to get rid of them so I'll wait to buy a lot of grains and pastas until I've taken care of the problem.

[elenderel.livejournal.com]

I found an Indianmeal moth larva inside a sealed/unopened package of bean vermicelli the other day. Sadly, anything that appears even remotely infested will have to go. At least when that stuff goes, many of the moths will follow; that's my experience, anyway. Still, be extra-careful from here on out - they can get inside closed food storage containers, for instance. Once you get things under control I'd suggest double-bagging any new grains, etc., in Ziploc bags the moment you bring them into the house. And scrub down your counters, shelves, pantry areas, cabinets, etc.

Let me know how the cedar works for you; I've also heard that bay leaves act as a repellent.

[jakejr.livejournal.com]

They go for dry cat food, too. I had a huge infestation in Oakland one summer, and a smaller one here this past year. Get some Safer brand pantry pest traps. They have a pheromone lure and sticky paper inside. They'll catch the adult males.

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

Ok so see here's the problem, I recently decided to try to live by the 5 Buddhist precepts which start with "Refrain from taking any life" so pest control is somewhat more challenging. At the moment the cats are doing a damned good job on the adult moths and I'm sweeping up the larva and moving them outside as I see them.

On the plus side this is encouraging me to purchase freshly made pasta that goes in the fridge rather than the pantry. It's healthier, tastier and more practical under the circumstances. Also a very good excuse to go to the farmer's market :)

[reluctantgenius.livejournal.com]

Which raises the interesting question of why you shouldn't share what you have with some moths.

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

I think certain lines have to be drawn for lay persons such as myself. Were I to become a nun I'd probably have no good argument against sharing. On the other hand if I were a nun I'd live by dana anyway and wouldn't have a pantry full of food for the moths to eat...

[reluctantgenius.livejournal.com]

Have you considered asking the moths what they need?

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

I think that's pretty clear at this point.

[reluctantgenius.livejournal.com]

There is an aspect in my tradition where one offers such beings something outside of one's home with the understanding that they will not come into the home. However, I don't think it works if it is a one-sided arrangement. I believe it is necessary to make contact with the beings involved and ascertain what they wish in exchange for their forbearance.

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

I'm going with the more direct relocation tactic at the moment. Reintroducing them to their native environment, so to speak.

[jakejr.livejournal.com]

That would make it more complicated, then. So, yes, as mentioned, you'll want to keep an eye on all grains, especially rice and pasta, cat food like I mentioned, everything, even down to popcorn. The larva can squeeze through sealed containers, too - ziploc bags are about the only thing I've had any luck with.

[ebonlock.livejournal.com]

I see a major plastic bag purchase in my future. Ziploc here I come.