"Ants"?? in the seed mix

[jemappelle]

I was just feeding the birds and noticed that there what I thought were black ants in the seed container (ice cream container). So I went and got the double bagged seed from the garage and it has the same in it. They look like a black ant but seem to have a pointy front but have to admit I didn't have my glasses on!

Does anybody know what these are? Should I chuck the seed and will they get into everything?

Thanks!

[gomer]

Are they any of these.
http://www.hannafords.com/disease.php?id=26

There are many other weevils about aswell. I have never had them in my seed.But others here have and say they are a good source of live food ????

[VR1Ton]

Weevils, some birds will eat them, but they eat the heart of the seed leaving nothing but husks & dust. I'd throw it & get some fresh stuff, but have a close look at it to make sure there are none in it.

[jemappelle]

Yes I think they are weevils. They were only in this lot of seed, none of the other stuff in the cupboard seems to have them. And as it is nearly finished they must only just be hatching. Hopefully they don't find their way into the house!

Might take the rest of the seed down the bin at the shops tomorrow.

[GregH]

Well the ants here do harvwest seed from my hoppers but as usual the Coopex discourages them for a long time

[Buzzard-1]

I have used bay leaves in hoppers stops weavels and Coddling moth.Hang a Sheltox pest strip over the edge of bulk seed bins to prevent infestation of bulk seed.

[E Orix]

Change your seed supplier or tell them.
It may not have been air cleaned enough or from an inferior supplier.
Poor seed will create major health problems in your birds.
When you buy seed it should be bright,clean and shine.

[jemappelle]

I will be telling my supplier. I only buy 2kg at a time as I don't have a lot of birds and the shop is just down the road so easy to access. It is in clear plastic bags and I always look through it before I buy the stuff.

I used to have a spare fridge that I kept it in but don't have room where I am now so gave it away. I will get some bay leaves today and put them all through the cupboard as the dog and cat food is stored in there as well.

[finchbreeder]

Use seperate plastic bins. 1 for the new seed you get and 1 to keep the old seed in. My Orange breasteds had the best year ever feeding the weevils to their chicks.
LML