Moth Problem....any Advice?

[budgie_addict 0]

Hi All!

 

I am having a problem with a moth plague in my avairy. They are a small moth, about 2 cm across their wing span and there is a hundred of them! They don't seem to be causing any problems for my budgies but I have never had this problem before, so don't really know if they could be a problem.

 

My avairy is clean, and the only thing I have tried is to squirt them with the hose! They do make the day to day maintenance of the avairy unpleasant.

 

Has anyone had this problem? Any suggestions on what I can do?

 

Help!!

[**KAZ** 0]

I use a bug zapper in my birdroom to combat these moths. An electric thing that hangs up and attracts the moths and then "fries" them. Failing that, there are sticky moth traps you can buy, that you hang up and the moths stick to them and die.

[Guest lonebudgie]

I recently visited a fellow breeders avairy and he hang mothballs in the avairy , (not where the budgies could get them) and he also put the mothballs in his seed bins reconds it kept them away , said had no problems with feeding the birds with the seed .

[**KAZ** 0]

I have heard mothballs are toxic to birds and indeed information at out fingertips on the internet also state the same thing

 

QUOTE

Usually the commercial type mothballs are made of either naphthalene or para dichlorobenzene. Both these substances are toxic to moths that can destroy clothes kept

in closed places. Besides that they can sublimate, that is they go directly from the solid state to the gas state. As gas they can go inside clothes and fill the place where they stand, killing the moths if they are there.

Be careful when using any kind of moth balls, they are also toxic to humans and pets.

Mostly never use in children closets or keep them in places where a child can find, play or even put in the mouth. Moth balls are poison!

 

"Organic compounds and solvents, such as those found in nail polish remover, mineral spirits, gasoline, glues, paints, and mothballs are hazardous to birds."

 

Mothballs are toxic to birds and many other animals including humans.

 

they are a benzene family crystal which is a known cancer causing chemical. Please do not use them in a closed area or near animals.

 

3.3 Moth repellants

Include naphthalene, paradichlorobenzene. Toxicity: Napththalene metabolites cause destruction of red blood cells. Unknown mechanism for paradochlorobenzene. Clinical effects: Vomiting, depression, ataxia, anemia, kidney damage. Deaths reported in canaries and finches from moth-repellant contaminated seed.

 

There are two different formulations for mothballs. One is NAPHTHLALENE and the other is PARADICHLOROBENZENE. Both are potentially very toxic. The naphthalene type is more toxic. Both vaporize to produce fumes wich can cause toxic effects on the central nervous system (possible seizures) and the liver. Naphthalene can also cause blood disorders (eg hemolytic anemia).

 

Diaper pail deodorizers also contain paradochlorobenzene.

 

Mothballs should not be used around birds. Exposures to high concentrations of vapours of mothballs by humans, especially young children, can also result in toxicity.

 

 

Edited December 5, 2007 by KAZ

[Guest lonebudgie]

I agree Kaz . I didnt worry bout trying them in my avairy , I use a bug zapper. And one of the guys with me asked if he had any problems with them in the seed bin , He replied never.

He seemed to be happy with it , but its not for me .

[**KAZ** 0]

I agree Kaz . I didnt worry bout trying them in my avairy , I use a bug zapper. And one of the guys with me asked if he had any problems with them in the seed bin , He replied never.

He seemed to be happy with it , but its not for me .

Yeah. I err on the side of caution too. My bug zapper is the best investment I ever bought for my birdroom

[budgie_addict 0]

Thanks for all the suggestions I shall hit my local hardware and try the moth trap thingys if I can get them.

 

Probably a dumb question but I will ask anyway....Those bug zappers, aren't a danger for the birds are they? What if a budgie landed on it or chewed on it?

[**KAZ** 0]

Thanks for all the suggestions I shall hit my local hardware and try the moth trap thingys if I can get them.

 

Probably a dumb question but I will ask anyway....Those bug zappers, aren't a danger for the birds are they? What if a budgie landed on it or chewed on it?

My bug zapper is in my birdroom where my breeding cages are...not in an aviary where birds fly free.

[Wellomo 0]

Hi !

 

I had some problems with my aviary a few years ago. I still don't know why and nobody could see a reason for the moth. The idea from KAZ could work. In my case I used a clothes moth trap ! It was the idea of my grandma and I was really amazed because it works.

[clearwing 0]

Cleanliness is the best answer, those moths lay the eggs in the deep litter or seed. Sweep up all seed from avairy floor and make sure all cage floors are clean, store all seed in air tight containers. Then spray moths with Pea Beau as it is safe for birds. Good Luck Cheers Clearwing

[Dave_McMinn 0]

I agree with Clearwing

[Maddy 0]

I visited an aviary where the breeders kept all seed in a box, and on the inside of the box lid was a sponge with eucalyptus oil in it. They said it keeps moths, mice and other creep crawlies at bay. Has anyone else heard of this technique?

[The Black Doctor 0]

Welcome Wellomo - you can buy those traps in most supermarkets too I believe.

[splat 0]

I was going to say what Clearwing said, Because where there is seed left lying there will be moths. Clean all seed away and spray.

Kaz I know a breeder that keeps moth balls in his seed bin, he has them stuck to the inside top of the lid, no hassles with his birds getting poison.

I had moths last year in aviary and birdroom so I did a could clean of seed etc and sprayed and haven't had any since.

[**KAZ** 0]

There will always be seed in breeders cages, and husks unless you bother the ^%&^$ out of the breeding pair at least twice a day cleaning. Thats just the way it is.

Mothballs ? Not me. I know how bad they stink and I know of the toxicity of them. I'd rather not take that chance.

I run a mozzie zapper and it works GREAT