Alien Invasion
Damn, damn! Two winters ago (winter!) we suffered through a mini-invasion of tiny black ants. I don't mind wildlife of the insect variety, not at all, I hardly give them a second thought, but in the house? I don't think so. The outside is theirs, all theirs, to enjoy and live out their busy little insect lives in. Indoors is ours, all ours. We do share the indoors of course, with our household pests (oops, that should be pets) and that's our choice.
I have thought, from time to time, of setting up little signposts replete with notices that these premises are off-limits to anything that flies, creeps, or has more than two legs. Signs small enough and pinned to tiny posts low to the ground, to be read handily by insects, flies, moths, and other varied irritant-causing organisms, but too small to be noticed by our two little dogs, for I wouldn't want them to take offence. They do have, after all, four legs. And while it is true that they can be terribly demanding to the point of being nuisances, they don't get into our pantry and run amok.
Not so with ants, moths and other tiny predators who can in very short time ruin afternoon tea. We did manage to rid ourselves of the offending ants, and haven't had another such invasion (yet) for which we are exceedingly grateful. But last fall we began to notice the surprising prevalence of small white/brown moths flittering about here and there, but mostly in our kitchen. The only reasonable exlanation for their presence was that they had somehow infiltrated our defences and got into our foodstuff. So where does one suppose was their source? Wait for it: a box of dog biscuits. No kidding. But the greedy little beasts, as we were soon to discover, weren't content with merely nibbling away on dog biscuits and leaving their disgusting little eggs-and-future-moths there. They expanded their territory, exploring the potential behind every food-bearing cupboard in our kitchen. And there were many.
It took time after time of clearing out the cupboards, minutely examining each and every item, box, jar, bag of food of one descriiption or another before we felt confident that we had managed to exterminate the little buggers. Only to discover, ta-da! there they were again, insouciantly flitting about again and spreading their progeny. Again, the tedious process of clearing out, close examination, and finally discarding any and all items which appeared to be contaminated. We underwent this disgusting, frustrating process two more times before we really were confident we had outed and ousted them all.
Oops! Guess what? Absent-mindedly (stealthily; snacks are verbotten) opening a door to one of the pantry's shelving units, my husband saw (groan) a moth flitter out and the alarm bells rang. Yes, the process of clearing out cupboards, closely examining their contents, discarding any elements bearing suspicious traces of possible wildlife was once more wearily undertaken. Bear in mind that it has always been my habit to be careful when storing food. Therefore, if I purchase items like grains, spices, dried fruits, etc., in bulk they are placed directly into clean jars with firm lids. If boxes have been opened (say, for example, pancake mix, cereal grains, etc.) the opened box is placed within the confines of a plastic bag and securely tied.
For we do not, definitely do not, enjoy discovering alien invasions in the kitchen, spoiled food, and the thought that we have, at one time or another, innocently ingested insect/moth eggs, larvae or moth wings having not paid sufficient attention when mixing ingredients or eating directly from these sources. Ugh, ugh and more ughs!
So, what did we discover this time? Lots. To our dismay, yet with some degree of satisfaction, for if there were indeed moths flying about there must needs be a source, and if we discover the source and eradicate the offending creatures, then we have solved the problem. (Oh, does not hope spring eternal!)
In a large jar with a close-fitting glass lid full of unshelled nuts which included walnuts, Brazil nuts, hazelnuts, almonds, pecans - moths. In a smaller jar with a tightly-screwed lid containing the same types of nuts - moths. In a medium-to-large size jar with a tightly-fitted lid holding raisins - moths. In a smaller glass jar with screw-on lid containing currants - moths. In a small glass jar with screw lid containing sesame seeds - moths. In a large glass jar with screw lid containing quinoa - moths. Ho! how about this one? In a tall, narrow glass jar with screw-on lid containing chopped dates - same dates considerably reduced, and what remained slathered with busy little worms.
Out, out! damned aliens. That's where husbands come in so handy. Women explore the cupboards, withdraw the offending items, squirm in disgust and shout: "Dear, I need your help!" And help invariably arrives in the form of a confident masculine figure who takes right over.
What lesson have we learned from this? Bulk food. "Health food" stores. Those nice shops that we enter feeling so confident about, where we don plastic gloves and grasp little shovels to fill up plastic bags with loose seeds, grains, flours, dried fruit, herbs. You've got it.
posted by Pieface @ Thursday, August 10, 2006
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