A couple searching for the source of a persistent fly problem in their home made a discovery that left them reeling after opening a container of dog treats.
In a post on Reddit, the original poster (OP), user Reddilutionary, shared photos showing what appeared to be hundreds of larvae crawling through the contents of a large dog treat jar.
“My wife and I have been dealing with an infestation of flies in the house for the last month,” the OP wrote. “We couldn’t figure out the source until I stuck my hand into our dog treat jar and almost got a handful of this.”
The screenshots included in the post show a large white plastic container filled with what looks like crumbled brown kibble or dried treats.
Scattered throughout the mixture are numerous cream-colored and striped larvae, densely packed and visibly burrowing through the food.
“I don’t know who was more upset – Me, who only barely grabbed some of the contents and yelled like a wuss, or my dog, who didn’t get her treat,” the OP added.
Reddit users weighed in via the comments, with one writing, “That’s chicken food now.”
Another asked, “Powdered treat? How did you not notice before?!” to which the OP replied, “We hadn’t used it for a while because we had been giving her treats out of a different container for a while.
“And this wasn’t always a powder, obviously. It was previously some fancy organic treat my wife bought, and it must have slowly been broken down by these critters.”
One contributor offered a more optimistic take: “This actually doesn’t suck because you found the problem. You should be celebrating.”
Storing Pet Food
According to an article by the Ruffed Grouse Society titled Proper Pet Food Storage, improper storage can invite pests ranging from insects to larger animals.
In the piece, author Keith Schopp recounts a consumer complaint involving unexpected wildlife in a bag of dog food. “WHY DO YOU PACK LIVE ANIMALS IN YOUR BAGS OF DOG FOOD?’’ the consumer yelled into the phone,” he wrote.
He responded, “We don’t,” and later explained that a raccoon had burrowed into a bag stored in an open barn.
Dr. Kurt Venator, Purina’s Chief Veterinary Officer, advised in the same article: “Consumers can start by examining pet food packaging before purchasing at the store or when it’s delivered to ensure it’s clean and hasn’t been damaged with a rip or hole.”
He added, “Store your pet food in a cool, dry location. Don’t leave the bag on the floor in the garage or outside. Don’t expose it to heat or high humidity.”
‘Potential health risks’
A separate guide from Catchmaster notes, “All types of household pests, from tiny ants to larger rodents, can be attracted to pet food, creating potential health risks for both your pets and your family.”
When it comes to house flies, the article warns, “Quick to find exposed wet food, flies can spread bacteria from other surfaces to your pet’s food bowl.”
The site advises pet owners to place pet food in a sealed plastic container and to store it “on shelves, off the ground, and away from walls where pests may reside.”
Newsweek has reached out to Reddilutionary for comment via Reddit. We could not verify the details of the case.
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