Author Topic: Bug problem that bugs me (Read 3112 times)

SeilerBird · « **on:** January 03, 2018, 04:32:49 AM »

I cannot figure this one out so I am turning to the intelligence of this community to see if they can solve this. I have three cats, all indoor only. I have a cat feeder that I fill with cat food once a week and they can eat whenever they want. See photo one below. For the past year or so the feeder has had a bug problem. In general I have been battling a German cockroach problem but I have had it under control now for the last few months. Except for this stupid problem. There are two pieces to this feeder and every week when I go to add more food I find a small collection of bugs in exactly the same spot. See photo 2. About a dozen tiny little bugs I cannot identify. How come they always are there and always in the same spot? I mean there are many generations killed here and they keep coming back to the same spot. There is no other bugs on the feeder and they are never anywhere else on the feeder. A few months ago I bought a different gravity feeder that was smaller. I used it for a month and had the exact same problem. Yes I clean the feeder every week.

kdbgoat · « **Reply #1 on:** January 03, 2018, 06:21:18 AM »

I bet they're in the cat food. Try a different brand.

Oldgator73 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 03, 2018, 06:36:07 AM »

Can you post a good picture of the bugs?

SeilerBird · « **Reply #3 on:** January 03, 2018, 06:58:39 AM »

Quote from: kdbgoat on January 03, 2018, 06:21:18 AM

I bet they're in the cat food. Try a different brand.

Nope, I never buy the same brand twice.

SeilerBird · « **Reply #4 on:** January 03, 2018, 07:01:10 AM »

Quote from: Oldgator73 on January 03, 2018, 06:36:07 AM

Can you post a good picture of the bugs?

I killed them already so it would be a few days before I could get a better photo. Here is a bad attempt at enlarging the photo.

Oldgator73 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 03, 2018, 07:56:18 AM »

You may have to take some of the bugs to an entomologist.

Alfa38User · « **Reply #6 on:** January 03, 2018, 07:57:40 AM »

We had a similar problem years ago in Barbados. The food in bags was infested with tiny bugs that grew over several weeks from tiny dots to visible bugs before we discovered it. Paper bagged food can be infested this way right from the store or wholesaler, not necessarily a specific brand but perhaps from a storage problem en route.

lynnmor · « **Reply #7 on:** January 03, 2018, 08:29:15 AM »

Quote from: Oldgator73 on January 03, 2018, 07:56:18 AM

You may have to take some of the bugs to an entomologist.

I agree, here is a link where you might get help: http://www.pickyourown.org/countyextensionagentoffices.htm

John From Detroit · « **Reply #8 on:** January 03, 2018, 08:56:27 AM »

I have the same issue... Those are hard bugs to exterminate.. Alas, Dalak exterminators are not ... Real.. (That is a joke if you don't get it forget it).

You need to fully clean out the RV or at least room in house, have a professional treat it. Wash the cat's dishes 100%

Alternative.. I am told German roaches do not freeze well. but I'd not count on that.

Oldgator73 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 03, 2018, 09:00:02 AM »

Quote from: John From Detroit on January 03, 2018, 08:56:27 AM

Alternative.. I am told German roaches do not freeze well. but I'd not count on that.

Are you suggesting he move north?

Old_Crow · « **Reply #10 on:** January 03, 2018, 09:05:18 AM »

Quote from: Oldgator73 on January 03, 2018, 09:00:02 AM

Are you suggesting he move north?

I've been talking to a guy home based in Pensacola, he wouldn't have to move far, not even out of the state.

Oldgator73 · « **Reply #11 on:** January 03, 2018, 09:26:53 AM »

Quote from: Old_Crow on January 03, 2018, 09:05:18 AM

I've been talking to a guy home based in Pensacola, he wouldn't have to move far, not even out of the state.

Yeah, he could move to Perry.

SeilerBird · « **Reply #12 on:** January 03, 2018, 09:41:47 AM »

Quote from: John From Detroit on January 03, 2018, 08:56:27 AM

I have the same issue... Those are hard bugs to exterminate.. Alas, Dalak exterminators are not ... Real.. (That is a joke if you don't get it forget it).

You need to fully clean out the RV or at least room in house, have a professional treat it. Wash the cat's dishes 100%

Alternative.. I am told German roaches do not freeze well. but I'd not count on that.

These bugs were a problem in my last RV. I bug bombed the new RV twice before I moved in and the bugs followed me. So cleaning won't do a thing.

SeilerBird · « **Reply #13 on:** January 03, 2018, 09:43:16 AM »

Quote from: Oldgator73 on January 03, 2018, 09:26:53 AM

Yeah, he could move to Perry.

Nope, I can't move to Perry. I used to live there and I have an ex girlfriend living there. I don't want to run into her. Plus I really really really love my present location. I am digging down and planning on living here till I die.

RedandSilver · « **Reply #14 on:** January 03, 2018, 10:04:18 AM »

Do they sell Cat Food in plastic containers?

The Glue used to seal the bags are what some bugs are attracted to.

Look where the Cat Food is made. IF it's in a cold climate that might kill any bugs that are along for the ride.
However that wouldn't help any in the Summertime. But if you can find Cat Food made in December of last year
and came from a Northern State - might be worth looking into that? What could it hurt?

Funny you said you never buy the same brand twice - you have had the Cats for how long?
You should be running out of Cat Food to buy as I don't remember a hundred brands on store shelves when I had a Cat.

Alfa38User · « **Reply #15 on:** January 03, 2018, 10:04:29 AM »

Quote

These bugs were a problem in my last RV. I bug bombed the new RV twice before I moved in and the bugs followed me.

Soooo... The problem is NOT actually the bugs, it is you!!!

SeilerBird · « **Reply #16 on:** January 03, 2018, 10:21:24 AM »

Quote from: RedandSilver on January 03, 2018, 10:04:18 AM

Do they sell Cat Food in plastic containers?

The Glue used to seal the bags are what some bugs are attracted to.

Look where the Cat Food is made. IF it's in a cold climate that might kill any bugs that are along for the ride.
However that wouldn't help any in the Summertime. But if you can find Cat Food made in December of last year
and came from a Northern State - might be worth looking into that? What could it hurt?

Funny you said you never buy the same brand twice - you have had the Cats for how long?
You should be running out of Cat Food to buy as I don't remember a hundred brands on store shelves when I had a Cat.

But the real problem for me is why do the bugs go to the exact same spot? There is no logic to that. I have had Tarzan for 8 years, Jane for 7 years and Cleo for six years. What I meant was when I shop for cat food I just grab any old bag. I don't have an allegiance to any particular brand.

jackiemac · « **Reply #17 on:** January 03, 2018, 10:28:24 AM »

Maybe they are attracted to the food, hence the return to the same place? it's a bit of a weird one.

RedandSilver · « **Reply #18 on:** January 03, 2018, 11:24:10 AM »

Quote

What I meant was when I shop for cat food I just grab any old bag. I don't have an allegiance to any particular brand.

Oh there's the problem. Ever hear - you get what you pay for? Try at least once, buying the most expensive food available and see if that makes a difference.

As far as returning to the same spot either there might be a low in that spot or there is a trace of something drawing them there.

Can you put the metal part in the oven at high temp to kill any trace or microscopic subjects that are drawing them to that area?

One other idea is can you line the bowl with wax paper and tape it around the edge and then see if they appear on top
of the wax paper or underneath the wax paper?

Also just to be clear - do these bugs appear everyday? Do the Cats finish the food in less than 12 hours?
Have you tried smaller amounts of food (but maybe more often if you want the Cats to have the same amount everyday) with
the same results?

SeilerBird · « **Reply #19 on:** January 03, 2018, 11:46:35 AM »

Quote from: jackiemac on January 03, 2018, 10:28:24 AM

Maybe they are attracted to the food, hence the return to the same place? it's a bit of a weird one.

Well they must like something, but I don't understand how this gets passed on generation to generation and even after I moved and changed food dishes.

SeilerBird · « **Reply #20 on:** January 03, 2018, 11:51:48 AM »

Quote from: RedandSilver on January 03, 2018, 11:24:10 AM

Oh there's the problem. Ever hear - you get what you pay for? Try at least once, buying the most expensive food available and see if that makes a difference.

Yes I have heard that and I have never believed it for a second. I buy all my food based on how the poop looks. If an animal has normal looking poop then the food is correct. If there is problems with the food then it shows up in the poop first.

Quote

As far as returning to the same spot either there might be a low in that spot or there is a trace of something drawing them there.

Except this problem occurred with two different feeding dishes that were two different sizes.

Quote

Can you put the metal part in the oven at high temp to kill any trace or microscopic subjects that are drawing them to that area?

One again it happened on two different bowls.

Quote

Also just to be clear - do these bugs appear everyday? Do the Cats finish the food in less than 12 hours?
Have you tried smaller amounts of food (but maybe more often if you want the Cats to have the same amount everyday) with the same results?

I fill up their feeder and the food lasts about a week. I have always free fed (full food bowl 24/7) all my animals all my life. They generally return within a few days.

RedandSilver · « **Reply #21 on:** January 03, 2018, 11:59:25 AM »

Quote

Yes I have heard that and I have never believed it for a second.

This coming from the guy that bought a Pixel 2 for almost a Grand?

Oldgator73 · « **Reply #22 on:** January 03, 2018, 12:15:35 PM »

Quote from: RedandSilver on January 03, 2018, 11:59:25 AM

This coming from the guy that bought a Pixel 2 for almost a Grand?

We are just the opposite. We buy expensive dog food (damn dog has allergies to almost everything) and take pictures with the free phone that came with the plan.

SeilerBird · « **Reply #23 on:** January 03, 2018, 01:20:47 PM »

Quote from: RedandSilver on January 03, 2018, 11:59:25 AM

This coming from the guy that bought a Pixel 2 for almost a Grand?

Yep. I never claimed that I got my moneys worth, I only said it has the best camera in a phone at the moment. Go shopping at Amazon and you will find many items for sale by Amazon that are much cheaper than that same item is at a boutique electronics store. So how can two identical items priced differently be getting what you paid for it? Here is a great example of not 'getting what you paid for it'. It is an auction listing on eBay for the very first US Beatles album called Introducing the Beatles on VeeJay. Buy it now price is $841. It is a counterfeit. So the buyer is really getting screwed. It is basically worthless to any real Beatles collector.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/INTRODUCING-THE-BEATLES-1960S-LP-FACTORY-SEALED-STEREO-FACTORY-SEALED/391944071746?hash=item5b41afea42:g:v2kAAOSwZaFZ0ai3

Molaker · « **Reply #24 on:** January 03, 2018, 02:25:44 PM »

Your cats might be carriers. Could the bugs be some kind of mites? A vet should be able to determine if the cats are infested.

SeilerBird · « **Reply #25 on:** January 03, 2018, 02:28:07 PM »

Quote from: Molaker on January 03, 2018, 02:25:44 PM

Your cats might be carriers. Could the bugs be some kind of mites? A vet should be able to determine if the cats are infested.

The cats do have a few fleas, in fact I ordered the Advantage today. But they are not infested with anything.

jackiemac · « **Reply #26 on:** January 04, 2018, 06:42:43 AM »

Do you buy the food from the same store? If so, try another, might be the store has the bugs...

John From Detroit · « **Reply #27 on:** January 04, 2018, 07:42:51 AM »

Quote from: Oldgator73 on January 03, 2018, 09:00:02 AM

Are you suggesting he move north?

Uh, no, as I said, I was told that. but I'd not count on it.

I do know they get less active when it gets cool however. Way less long about 60 degrees.

Oldgator73 · « **Reply #28 on:** January 04, 2018, 07:50:40 AM »

The bugs he showed in the photo do not look like roaches. They look more like weavles.

SeilerBird · « **Reply #29 on:** January 04, 2018, 08:09:51 AM »

Quote from: jackiemac on January 04, 2018, 06:42:43 AM

Do you buy the food from the same store? If so, try another, might be the store has the bugs...

The food has come from many different stores. You are missing the point. I don't care about where the bugs come from, nor do I really care about how to kill them. I am wondering why they return to the exact same spot generation after generation and even when I change food dishes and move to a different site.

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Author Topic: Bug problem that bugs me (Read 3112 times)