Re: There were BUGS in my 3 lb can of Sunflower Seeds

[Guest guest]

I bought a big can, too.  I haven't opened mine yet.  I wonder if the can was

vacuumed packed or not.  I don't know if vacuumed pack would mess up the

sprouts or not.  Freezing could put moisture into them perhaps.  I have stored

flour and stuff in cabinets and they got weavils in them.  The moths may be the

same thing just another stage.  I wondered about the little plastic lid keeping

them fresh.  All i can think of otherwise would be zip lock bags and I am sure

someone is going to tell me why I shouldn't.  Please do.  If it were vacuum

packed by food saver, maybe that would keep them out or keep them from being

viable as it would take oxygen out. 

 

So sorry to hear about your sunnies but it sounds just like the can I bought but

haven't used yet.

Carolyn Wilkerson

 

To: sproutpeople

Sent: Friday, April 6, 2012 9:50 PM

Subject: There were BUGS in my 3 lb can of Sunflower Seeds

 

Well this has been an experience for me.

Late in March I had purchased a 3 lb can of Sunflower seeds from a company (not

Sproutpeople). I opened that can (after freezing overnight) and scooped out a

half cup, replaced the white plastic lid and put the can in another room.

I grew my sunnies with no problem. This afternoon I went back into the room,

took the lid off the can and to my dismay, all these (I think they were white)

little tiny things were crawling over the inside of the lid). Quick as a rabbit

I replaced the lid, threw the whole can away in the garbage (outside my house)

and went back to make sure nothing was left behind where I had stored it. There

was nothing. I washed the area anyway. I wasn't taking any chances. I thought I

was safe by freezing but then EW has explained that he thinks they might have

been pantry moths and they don't get killed, they just get dormant. How nice. I

don't store flour or anything loose in my kitchen and this was not in my kitchen

anyway. It was in a spare room where I don't keep any food except for two

containers of dry pasta (in OSO FRESH containers). I must have inspected this

room 5 times just to make sure.

I haved contacted the company, explained what happened and I hope they do the

right thing. I am now only going to grow pea shoots. So far so good.

Sigh!!!!

Melody

[Guest guest]

They weren't there when you first opened it though were they?  I thought it was

after you put lid on and it sat for awhile.  That is typical as until the air

gets to it, the bugs re probably dormant.  Don't want to freeze the seeds as

that may cause them to die.  Very concerned now as I'd think they would be

clean with nothing there when they were shipped.  It is possible that  they

could get in after they were there.  Those plastic lids are not very secure. 

Might need to pour them into a plastic bag and tie it down or zip lock it and

then put it back in the can.  I am looking forward to hearing what the company

says to you and how to prevent this from happening.  I used to put a bay leaf

in flour and stuff like that and it keeps them out a bit.  And I put the flour

in the refrigerator now.  I don't know if that will help.  Hopefully will not

be too cold for the sunnies. 

Carolyn Wilkerson

 

To: sproutpeople

Sent: Friday, April 6, 2012 10:50 PM

Subject: Re: There were BUGS in my 3 lb can of Sunflower

Seeds

 

Carolyn: Be careful when you open it. I'd take it outside and open it. I have no

idea what else to tell you because this is my first experience with creepy

crawlies in any sprouting seeds.

Best of luck, Mel

[Guest guest]

As I said in my posting, this was the 2nd time I used the can. The first time

there were no anything crawling anywhere. Upon opening the can, I threw out the

can lid and replaced it with the plastic lid that they give you. I then put the

can in another room.I can assure you these bugs did not get in from anywhere,

they were INSIDE the can all the time, laying dormant. I know this because this

can was not kept anywhere near any food items. There were no bugs crawling

anywhere around, near or on top of the can. I checked this 5 times after this

happened. All the bugs were inside the lid and on top of the seeds inside the

can. The seeds were still amost to the top. I had only sed one half cup of seeds

out of that 3 lb can. And Carolyn, I've been freezing seeds every since I began

sprouting almost 4 years ago. I was taught that freezing will kill any eggs. I

guess I was told wrong. lol

But I will continue to store in freezer because, well I don't know, I guess I

feel more secure(especially with see through bags or containers. I just don't

know if I'm going to be using any more sunnies. The image of the bugs is still

in my head.

Melody

>

> They weren't there when you first opened it though were they?  I thought it

was after you put lid on and it sat for awhile.  That is typical as until the

air gets to it, the bugs re probably dormant.  Don't want to freeze the seeds

as that may cause them to die.  Very concerned now as I'd think they would be

clean with nothing there when they were shipped.  It is possible that  they

could get in after they were there.  Those plastic lids are not very secure. 

Might need to pour them into a plastic bag and tie it down or zip lock it and

then put it back in the can.  I am looking forward to hearing what the company

says to you and how to prevent this from happening.  I used to put a bay leaf

in flour and stuff like that and it keeps them out a bit.  And I put the flour

in the refrigerator now.  I don't know if that will help.  Hopefully will not

be too cold for the sunnies. 

>

>

> Carolyn Wilkerson

>

>

>  

>

>

> To: sproutpeople

> Sent: Friday, April 6, 2012 10:50 PM

> Subject: Re: There were BUGS in my 3 lb can of Sunflower

Seeds

>

>

>  

> Carolyn: Be careful when you open it. I'd take it outside and open it. I have

no idea what else to tell you because this is my first experience with creepy

crawlies in any sprouting seeds.

>

> Best of luck, Mel

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

When Freezing the things have to be deep frozen for at least 2 weeks to

kill eggs. Yes, I don't know how but something can get in under plastic

lids. We were renting out our upstairs where we used to live a few years

ago. The son had put some sunflower seeds in the pantry and not closed

them very well. Well, after a while I noticed that some of my beans had

bugs/moths. I started throwing things out then discovered this bag of

sunflower seeds. I now seal everything in glass jars. After I threw

everything out that was contaminated, I started seeing these little moths

in the pantry and realized it was Pantry moths. The gallon jars with

lids, I also seal with packing tape. Oh and my beans, lentils, rice etc. I

have treated with DE. (Diatomaceous Earth), I have not done this with

sprouting seed yet, because DE can reduce the moisture and sort of afraid

to try it. But I just ordered 5 lbs of alfalfa so I guess I am going to

have to try it.

R.

I've been freezing seeds every since I began sprouting almost 4 years ago.

> I was taught that freezing will kill any eggs. I guess I was told wrong. lol

>

[Guest guest]

Hi .

Sounds like a plan. I'm just happy I don't have too many seeds, flour or any

other stuff that pantry moths can thrive in.

I am going to be more vigilant than ever from now on.

Melody

>

> When Freezing the things have to be deep frozen for at least 2 weeks to

> kill eggs. Yes, I don't know how but something can get in under plastic

> lids. We were renting out our upstairs where we used to live a few years

> ago. The son had put some sunflower seeds in the pantry and not closed

> them very well. Well, after a while I noticed that some of my beans had

> bugs/moths. I started throwing things out then discovered this bag of

> sunflower seeds. I now seal everything in glass jars. After I threw

> everything out that was contaminated, I started seeing these little moths

> in the pantry and realized it was Pantry moths. The gallon jars with

> lids, I also seal with packing tape. Oh and my beans, lentils, rice etc. I

> have treated with DE. (Diatomaceous Earth), I have not done this with

> sprouting seed yet, because DE can reduce the moisture and sort of afraid

> to try it. But I just ordered 5 lbs of alfalfa so I guess I am going to

> have to try it.

>

> R.

>

> I've been freezing seeds every since I began sprouting almost 4 years ago.

> > I was taught that freezing will kill any eggs. I guess I was told wrong. lol

> >

>

>

>