Indiana Gardener
Got Drosera?
I found the other threads about raising them here, but neither of them specifically address this issue.
I found a great site about raising them:
http://www.sialis.org/raisingmealworms.htm
And it does mention these pests. I have had problems with these in rice and cereals before. Indian Meal Moths seem to be able to get into anything; even chewing holes in sacks?
Regarding these, the article says, "Brown moths (typically Indian Meal Moths, a common pantry pest that infests birdseed and cereal) may be attracted to the mealworm bedding. If they get into the farm, they make a sticky web almost like cotton candy."
"To prevent this, some people store farms outdoors during warmer weather."
These always come around during winter here.
"I put individual containers inside a larger bin with a screen hot-glued to the top."
I don't see how a screen will keep them from getting in if, according to past encounters, they seem to be able to chew their way in?
Maybe they can't get into something tougher than a plastic sack, like a rubbermaid container? If not, what size holes should be made in the lid to provide ventilation to the meal worms and yet keep out pests?
"A "pantry-pest" trap using pherhormones can be used to trap adult moths."
Well, spending money on those defeats the purpose of raising your own meal worms doesn't it...
"Microwaving cereals (e.g., 2 minutes), or freezing birdseed and cereals will kill moth larvae that may come in the packaged products. "
That would work as a cure, provided you sift out your meal worms and beetles, but what about a preventative?
Does anyone have a good way of keeping these pests out without completely sealing up the meal worm container... which of course isn't possible?
Thanks for any info!
I found a great site about raising them:
http://www.sialis.org/raisingmealworms.htm
And it does mention these pests. I have had problems with these in rice and cereals before. Indian Meal Moths seem to be able to get into anything; even chewing holes in sacks?
Regarding these, the article says, "Brown moths (typically Indian Meal Moths, a common pantry pest that infests birdseed and cereal) may be attracted to the mealworm bedding. If they get into the farm, they make a sticky web almost like cotton candy."
"To prevent this, some people store farms outdoors during warmer weather."
These always come around during winter here.
"I put individual containers inside a larger bin with a screen hot-glued to the top."
I don't see how a screen will keep them from getting in if, according to past encounters, they seem to be able to chew their way in?
Maybe they can't get into something tougher than a plastic sack, like a rubbermaid container? If not, what size holes should be made in the lid to provide ventilation to the meal worms and yet keep out pests?
"A "pantry-pest" trap using pherhormones can be used to trap adult moths."
Well, spending money on those defeats the purpose of raising your own meal worms doesn't it...
"Microwaving cereals (e.g., 2 minutes), or freezing birdseed and cereals will kill moth larvae that may come in the packaged products. "
That would work as a cure, provided you sift out your meal worms and beetles, but what about a preventative?
Does anyone have a good way of keeping these pests out without completely sealing up the meal worm container... which of course isn't possible?
Thanks for any info!