Instructions
Freeze bags of bird seed immediately upon bringing them into your home. The cold temperature will effectively kill any moths, larvae or eggs that are inside the bag. The bag should be kept in the freezer for 48 hours.
Keep bags of bird seed in the refrigerator or an ice chest, if room allows. This will prevent moths from becoming attracted to the bird seed and laying eggs in the bag--a likely scenario in homes that are frequented by these pests. In the winter, the bird seed can be stored outdoors or in an unheated garage to free up space in the refrigerator or freezer.
Go through all of your kitchen cabinets and food containers carefully if you notice small moths fluttering around your kitchen. Meal moths, also known as pantry moths, can be difficult to eliminate from your home once they've taken up residence, so a thorough inspection and cleaning is a necessary first step. Throw out any contaminated food and place uncontaminated grains, cereals and pastas in the freezer or refrigerator.
Clean household cabinets to eliminate crumbs, making sure to get into the crevices where eggs or larvae may be residing. Check the toaster, toaster oven and other small dark places where food crumbs can be found, for evidence of meal moths.
Place a moth pheromone trap near bird cages, in the pantry and other areas where meal moths are found in the home. These non-toxic traps attract the male meal moths, which will stick to the inner surface of the trap and die. These traps can purchased at home improvement stores or at online retailers.
How to Get Rid of Moths in Bird Seed
When you bring bags of bird seed into your home, you may be bringing in more than a treat for your feathered friends. Bird seed is a popular breeding ground for meal moths, which lay eggs in the bird seed because it is an ideal food source for their larvae. The eggs and larvae may not be noticeable when the bird seed is brought into your home--but watch out. Before long, you'll find small moths fluttering around the bird seed bag and in your kitchen cabinets, where they will infest dry food sources such as crackers, cereal and flour.