Raising meal worms - keeping Indian Meal Moths out

[Indiana Gardener]

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!

 

[RL7836]

"A "pantry-pest" trap using pherhormones can be used to trap adult moths."

I would get some of these immediately. These moths are a nightmare & incredibly difficult to completely eradicate. We found nothing else worked including trying to seal everything inside tupperware containers. They're incredible critters ...

 

[Indiana Gardener]

We found nothing else worked including trying to seal everything inside tupperware containers.

Ugg! Not even tupperware! That is the tightest sealing thing around. I don't currently have any, but I am expecting that a semi-sealed container of oats will draw them in from somewhere.

In the past, I just threw out whatever they got into. Or froze it, if it was something the birds could eat - moths and all.

Do you know how long the pherhormone traps remain good for, or how often they should be replaced?

Thanks!