Using F10 with seed sprouts, and mouldy millet

[SparkleSparrow]

Hi

I've seen a lot of people say they use F10 to prevent contamination when sprouting, but they don't mention how. I didn't used to bother, but after my budgie Toffee passing the day after I gave sprouts, and Biscuit throwing up I'm just super paranoid.

The millet sprays I bought when I got Toffee seemed to be mouldy, I only noticed it the day after Toffee passed, too, so I'm also super paranoid about millet now and just see mould on every spray. I've read that freezing will kill mould. Has anyone tried it? Or would soaking in F10 be better? If so, what's the correct way to do this?

Can F10 also be spritzed around the room to help sanitise the air? It says once diluted it can be stored for i think it was 3 months? I have a spray bottle, never used chemicals in it, I can mix some up with tap water and store it in that? Would it affect plants (I grow herbs and a budgie lawn in my room)? What's the maximum frequency I should spray the room? It's hard to aerate my room as there are paint fumes from the floor below, and builder's dust and chemicals and alcohol fumes from next door Biscuit's coughing and dry retching again and I'm sure this stale air doesn't help.

Thanks for any advice x

 

[itzjbean]

Have you tried apple cider vinegar?

I am also in the process of sprouting for my birds, should be ready by tomorrow night but I would highly recommend giving this article a read if you haven't read it already -- Silversage Aviaries Spouting for parrots it is my first time sprouting but I am following this to a T.

What kind of seeds are you sprouting?

How long did/are you sprouting for?

How often do you rinse the seeds?

I did a little bit of looking around the internet about F10... and it is safe for sprouting!

Disinfecting sprouted seeds. - YES You can even soak your pulses and grains in F10 solution to prevent spoilage (1ml of concentrated F10 to 500ml of water, or one part of Ready-to-Use F10 to one part of water). Usually 30 mins is enough to kill off any bacteria and fungus.

 

[SparkleSparrow]

ACV doesn't seem to agree with Biscuit. I've never had problems with sprouts going bad before, and I doubt they did last time as there was no sign of spoilage, I'm just super paranoid after losing my bird

So the F10 should be used during the soaking stage? Thanks

 

[Aquila]

You wouldn't need much ACV, but I always use that during the soaking phase. I've never used F10 for soaking but it's a very safe chemical. As for seeds and millet, properly stored should be fine. I usually order my millet from Dr. Foster Smith and find it to be very fresh, but I do also freeze most of it, moisture is usually the issue. Since I have a dehydrator now, I might try putting them and seeds through a cycle to make sure as much moisture as possible is removed. I also try to buy smaller portions of things so they stay fresh.