https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/233137242
I opened up a bag of rose food and discovered flying insects that look like tiny moths.
Are they harmful pests?Should I let them go? can I use the fertilizer anyway?
1 Like
Moved this to Nature Talk as it’s not related to iNaturalist.
I think you can go ahead and use it. Presuming your ‘food’ is compost rather than chemical? Flies whose larvae were decomposers, not moths?
2 Likes
it’s an organic commercial fertilizer, not compost.
I want to be sure they are not some kind of pest or invasive before I release them. The AI listed termites and cockroaches among the possibilities.
Blockquote
Those look like moths to me. Should you release them? It is hard to say. Without an ID I would be tempted to burn or fumigate the whole thing. However, you can be sure that some other bags are just as contaminated and gardeners will use them regardless. Bagged ‘sterile’ garden products are seldom sterile and are responsible for spreading garden pests and invasive species.
1 Like
Well, it says organic, not sterile.
How would you fumigate them? Moth balls?
I thought of freezing the bag, but… uck!
2 Likes
They do look like moths to me. I wouldnt use it as it is as the larvae may eat roots or even climb up onto roses and eat the leaves and stems. I would boil the whole lot for some time in a big saucepan of water to kill eggs and larvae and adults and then use it. Would that be enough for sterilisation ? A very interesting post. Thank you so much. Why not make your own compost instead of buying it ? It’s cheaper !
2 Likes
Hmmm… The bag is a bit too big for boiling. I had a worm bin for composting kitchen scraps, but it got to be too much for my back. Now, my waste collection company collects all the kitchen waste along with the yard waste for compost
2 Likes
Yes, they are moths. If they are breeding in compost they are very unlikely to destroy a rose bush. But if they are not native to your area, it would be best not to release them. Do you know where the compost came from and what it is made from?
If you want to kill them and use the compost, freezer is probably your best option, for several weeks. Putting the bag in your rubbish bin is still releasing them, just not in your garden. But as Kevin above has said, your bag is unlikely to be unique and other people won’t be so conscientious. And it is quite likely some have already escaped from your bag.
3 Likes
I would not release these outside. If it’s a small bag I would freeze it or seal it and place it in the hot sun.
1 Like
Freezing is the safest and most humane option. I recommend at least three days in a very cold freezer.
1 Like
You’re in sunny CA. Put the bag inside a larger black bag, seal it up and leave it in direct sunlight for a few days. The heat will kill the moths and other things like seeds.
4 Likes
Write to the supplier with the batch number?
Would be interesting to see if you get a useful response.
3 Likes
Yes, good idea. I’ve used the brand before with no problem. but, it has been in my garage quite a long time and during a hot summer.
Bagged in plastic in the sun! Fingers crossed
@mo0nsgreenthumb and @pmeisenheimer
3 Likes
How did it turn out?
Oh, it’s still bagged in black in the backyard. My husband and I both got Covid this week and I have not had enough get up and go to check. We had some very sunny 90+ degree days, so I’m hopeful
5 Likes
Like for the solarising - not the COVID.
Wish you both a quick recovery.
4 Likes
Well that’s no fun. Hope you’re over it soon.
3 Likes
This topic was automatically closed 60 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.