Lafebers & pantry moths? Coincidence?

I don't know if the two are related or if it is just coincidence, but I just went to fill up all the different foods my Kakariki eats and when I went to fill the dish that holds his Lafebers Nutri-Berries, the container was FILLED with pantry moth larvae! I picked up some chunks of pellets/berries and noticed it was stringy, so I look down and the larva are all intertwined in the pellets and all over the lid, etc etc.

Now I've had issues with the larva and moths in the past. Years ago I got a store brand container of mixed bird seed and I didn't know at the time that it was the cause of a major infestation. I've had both weevils and larva/moths, but this was years ago and from those particular containers/brand.

I got that container recently which is how I figured out what pantry moths were and that it was from that mixed seed brand/container so I stopped buying and bought sealed bags.

However, for those of you who buy Lafebers Nutri-Berries, they are NOT cheap. My vet recommended them for my Kakariki to get proper nutrients especially since he was sick not too long ago. I was extremely disappointed I had to throw away 1/3 of the Lafabers food but it was disgusting and heavily infested and I don't want them ruining my room and all the food once again. I have moth traps in my room so that they won't lay eggs. It's so gross! :52:

I don't want to spend crazy money on foods easily infested. I know larva can get into the grooves of container lids which is why sealed bags are preferred, but then I also heard they chew threw bags. I also heard people freeze the food for 24 hours. I don't know what's true or false. But has this happened to anyone with Lafebers specifically?? It's so healthy and good for my bird and he actually likes it, I'd hate to stop buying. I am wondering if it was from seed moths from the mixed seed; a moth got in the Lafebers container and I killed it but I guess it already laid eggs, clearly. Ugh!

Anyone have advice on these nasty bugs? Is Lafebers known for these or is it just because of the mixed seed that they happened to travel into the pellets? What are some good ways to keep these icky bugs from contaminating bird food??

Not sure that I read your post properly, but if you are buying bird food out of a self-service bin, that is exactly where you you got the extra protein.....the good thing about it though, The pet shops don't charge for that extra protein.....

You're always better off buying your foods in sealed bags/packages.....you'll want to look at adjacent packages also...if they appear to be vacuum sealed & the one you've chosen is no, then the moths may have infested your package somewhere in transit or the integrity of the package was otherwise compromised.....

weco said:

You're always better off buying your foods in sealed bags/packages.....you'll want to look at adjacent packages also...if they appear to be vacuum sealed & the one you've chosen is no, then the moths may have infested your package somewhere in transit or the integrity of the package was otherwise compromised.....

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Okay that is really smart I am definitely going to make sure the bags are air tight when I buy from now on!!! That is helpful!!

And sorry if my question was confusing. Basically I know these moths infest mixed seed, I've had it happen, but not with Lafebers (pellets). I wasn't sure if it was specifically from the Lafebers pellets or if the moths came from seeds like I've seen. I don't know if they are as likely to infest pellets as they do with seeds

RainbowRose said:

weco said:

You're always better off buying your foods in sealed bags/packages.....you'll want to look at adjacent packages also...if they appear to be vacuum sealed & the one you've chosen is no, then the moths may have infested your package somewhere in transit or the integrity of the package was otherwise compromised.....

Click to expand...

Okay that is really smart I am definitely going to make sure the bags are air tight when I buy from now on!!! That is helpful!!

And sorry if my question was confusing. Basically I know these moths infest mixed seed, I've had it happen, but not with Lafebers (pellets). I wasn't sure if it was specifically from the Lafebers pellets or if the moths came from seeds like I've seen. I don't know if they are as likely to infest pellets as they do with seeds

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Actually, your "pantry moth" is probably either an Indian meal moth or a Mediterranean flour moth and while they are primarily seed and/or flour/meal product eaters, you can find them in cereals, meals & similar products, so if you have an advanced infestation, I might be inclined to look through all of my packages of crackers, flour, meals, rolled oats, etc., they will eat all of these and macaroni products.....

If you've had any pupate, look for them crawling up walls, often in corners & you'll generally find them along any type of crown molding.....be sure to check closets & cabinets also.....if you vacuum any of them up, be sure to empty your canister or through your bag in an outdoor trash container away from your house.....

Good luck.....

They can get in anything, be in anything, hatch in anything. Sigh. I've had sealed unopened stuff where they've hatched inside, either having been infected from the packaging place or "injected" into the packet.

Yes, it you put things in the freezer overnight, it will kill the bugs, but you need to make sure you eradicate any that are elsewhere about the place, because they'll quickly reinfest everything.

Rather than throwing the food away, I would have returned it to place of purchase or called the toll free number on the tub for a refund or replacement. As you stated, they are not cheap. Most bird food companies guarantee their foods.

I have the worse luck with Lafebers nutri berries. I get them in sealed bags and they always end up with the moths it seems. I rarely have seen the problem with any other brand. It might just be bad luck, but well I'm a bit leary of them now. When I get them now I put them directly in my freezer.