Aussie Finch Forum

Seem to have a lot of "seed moth" eggs in my seed - what can you mix/spray with to stop the moths laying the eggs.
The thing is though I can't see any moths flying about.

I just put a small plastic container of dried bay leaves (lid off) in seed container where seed is stored and seems to work. Got the info from here. Don't know how you would deal with it if they are laying in seed in the aviary.

Good luck

Ken.

What do the eggs look like?

They are tiny white eggs 'bout size of a pin prick, you'll know as they're in a group of several & attach to the seed.

matcho wrote: ↑06 Mar 2019, 19:41 I just put a small plastic container of dried bay leaves (lid off) in seed container where seed is stored and seems to work. Got the info from here. Don't know how you would deal with it if they are laying in seed in the aviary.
Good luck
Ken.

I don't appear to have them in my seed storage containers though, only in the aviary seed.

These are the buggers that are in my seed, small white dots around the seed are eggs

Are you sure the white bits are not chewed grain bits from the larvae eating the grain?
They use them to make the cocoons/clods joining the grain together in which they pupate inside, plus scatter a lot throughout the seed in their vicinity.

The small african finches like Orange Breasteds and Ruddies should be eating the maggotts. Specially if they are nesting.
LML

Tiaris wrote: ↑21 Mar 2019, 18:53 Are you sure the white bits are not chewed grain bits from the larvae eating the grain?
They use them to make the cocoons/clods joining the grain together in which they pupate inside, plus scatter a lot throughout the seed in their vicinity.

You could well be right, I just assumed they were eggs, so do I leave them alone ??

I concur with Tiarus, to me they are droppings.
The moth lays the eggs and deposits them on grain etc.
In the days when live food was far less available we actually collected them and fed them out as live food.
I can remember trying the push the grubs out of their silken tube