How can I effectively remove bugs from harvested amaranth seeds?
Asked by SeedSlinger92
I'm really enjoying the process of harvesting amaranth seeds, but I'm facing a challenge with tiny bugs that seem to like my collecting bowl. They fall right through the sieve along with the seeds, making it difficult to get them out. Does anyone have any tried-and-true methods for cleaning them out? Thanks a bunch!
Answers
I dealt with a lot of bugs while harvesting mint family plants. When I collected native plant seeds, I left the seedheads outside in the sun for a few hours. I even put a twig in there for the bugs to climb out if they wanted to. It worked pretty well for me!
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One method I've found helpful is to use paper towels and tweezers to pick them out by hand. If the bugs are still alive, try to figure out what attracts them and use that to lure them away from your seeds.
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A really simple solution is to put the seeds in the freezer for a day or two. That should kill off most bugs without harming the seeds!
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