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mildewed corn in feeder? #7309619 10/09/18 05:43 PM
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foodieguy Offline OP
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Went to top off our feeders this past weekend. One of them must have gotten slightly wet somehow. Not enough to make to make it clump together, but there is a light coating of fine darkish powder that looks like mildew. The barrel was almost full, and it seemed to be throughout the whole thing. When we test fired the spinner, it looked like it was smoking at the nozzle with the powder coming off the corn.

The weird thing was that the corn seemed to be dry throughout with some condensation on the bottom of the barrel lid.

The hogs don't seem to mind but I can't tell from my cam pics if the deer have stopped eating it.

There is prob 250 lbs of corn in there. Is it still usable? will it affect the deer activity or make them avoid that feeder? I'd hate to have to dump it all out. It's at one of our better spots, would hate to ruin it.


Last edited by foodieguy; 10/09/18 10:59 PM. Reason: more info...

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Re: mildewed corn in feeder? [Re: foodieguy] #7309836 10/09/18 10:31 PM
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If it is clumping together you will get a clogged feeder before long. Best to dump the feeder and start over.

Re: mildewed corn in feeder? [Re: foodieguy] #7309847 10/09/18 10:48 PM
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When in doubt, dump it out.

Consider the price of 250 lbs of corn vs. the frustration of a feeder not throwing when you are hunting, much less the cleanup process if the whole batch gets molded. I'd rather smell a gut pile than a feeder full of spoiled corn.

Re: mildewed corn in feeder? [Re: foodieguy] #7309865 10/09/18 11:14 PM
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Agree with the two guys above. Just scatter it really well, might as well let the deer enjoy, can't hurt your spot other than to have hogs move in.


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Re: mildewed corn in feeder? [Re: foodieguy] #7309876 10/09/18 11:31 PM
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Not much worse than cleaning out clumped, nasty corn to ruin a hunt. Dump it before it gets to that point.

I ruined a putter once trying to scrape out a feeder (had no tools, but golf clubs were in the truck). Still makes me mad to think about it.

Re: mildewed corn in feeder? [Re: KennyLee] #7309947 10/10/18 12:49 AM
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Originally Posted By: KennyLee
Not much worse than cleaning out clumped, nasty corn to ruin a hunt. Dump it before it gets to that point.

I ruined a putter once trying to scrape out a feeder (had no tools, but golf clubs were in the truck). Still makes me mad to think about it.


Hopefully not a Scottie Cameron Kenny!

Re: mildewed corn in feeder? [Re: foodieguy] #7310082 10/10/18 02:54 AM
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Old corn will be dusty like you have mentioned.

Re: mildewed corn in feeder? [Re: foodieguy] #7310089 10/10/18 03:00 AM
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Sounds like weevils may have gotten in the corn. They will make it dusty like that and they leave their excrement which will make the corn look like it has gotten wet which is usually towards the bottom.

Re: mildewed corn in feeder? [Re: djs303] #7310340 10/10/18 02:25 PM
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Originally Posted By: djs303
Sounds like weevils may have gotten in the corn. They will make it dusty like that and they leave their excrement which will make the corn look like it has gotten wet which is usually towards the bottom.

I had weevils get into one of my feeders and you could tell when the feeder went off from several hundred yards way, looked like it was loaded with talcum powder ... deer, turkey & hogs didn't seem to mind. Typically if the corn gets wet, it will swell up and clog up the feeder, then turn to some foul smelling globs of nastiness.


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Re: mildewed corn in feeder? [Re: foodieguy] #7310359 10/10/18 02:44 PM
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I am guessing that those recommending dumping and starting over have all had the pleasure of cleaning rotten corn out of a feeder. It is no a fun job. The smell is pretty foul and not something I ever want to do again. Count me as one who says don't risk it.


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Re: mildewed corn in feeder? [Re: foodieguy] #7310391 10/10/18 03:18 PM
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Weevils.


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Re: mildewed corn in feeder? [Re: foodieguy] #7310396 10/10/18 03:23 PM
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If it isn't clumping it may just be bunches of weevils. We had a problem with weevils that caused a smoke screen every time feeder went off. If corn is still dry inside, I would just crank up the timer and throw more quicker. If it is damp, definitely start over. Better find out source of moisture if corn is moist, before filling back up.


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Re: mildewed corn in feeder? [Re: BenBob] #7310428 10/10/18 03:54 PM
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Originally Posted By: BenBob
... Better find out source of moisture if corn is moist, before filling back up.


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Re: mildewed corn in feeder? [Re: foodieguy] #7310730 10/10/18 10:00 PM
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Make sure the bolts holes if any, are not leaking. A metal barrel will sweat and can cause the moisture inside the barrel to mildew. Take a very small drill bit about the size of a pen dot and drill 3 holes around the upper lip of the feeder can, this will allow the moisture to escape.




Re: mildewed corn in feeder? [Re: foodieguy] #7310789 10/10/18 11:37 PM
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As wet as September and the start of October have been any moisture in that barrel will be bad for mildew.
We try to run our barrels empty or near empty before refilling, this helps with weevils.
We had a guy that had a 1000 pound corn feeder, he topped it off almost every weekend. That thing looked like a fogger going off because there were so many weevils in it. As that corn funnels down the center I bet the corn on sides had been there for 8 months.
I put a few bags in mine just to get by a few weeks back. I am hoping it dries up before completely filling them again, been too wet out.


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Re: mildewed corn in feeder? [Re: foodieguy] #7310798 10/10/18 11:44 PM
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It doesn't take much water at all.
Check to make sure the lid can't be lifted by the wind. Strong winds during a storm can lift the lid just enough to allow some spray into the feeder if it's not secured tightly.
I use a metal lid that covers about 3" down around the top lip the of feeder barrel. I attach it with bungee cords and never had a problem since.
The bungee cord allows enough give for the barrel to "belch" allowing gasses and moisture to escape.

Last edited by Jimbo; 10/10/18 11:49 PM.


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Re: mildewed corn in feeder? [Re: foodieguy] #7310916 10/11/18 02:22 AM
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foodieguy Offline OP
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Hey folks-

Original OP here. Thanks for the good info. Are weevils jost something we all have to eventually deal with or is likely caused by bad corn? We bought this last batch from a new place, first time I've had to deal with it.

Might not be cause / effect- just wondering.


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Re: mildewed corn in feeder? [Re: foodieguy] #7310946 10/11/18 03:07 AM
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If the corn was recently purchased its very possible that it had weevils when you bought it. They will also infest the corn if it sits for a long period of time in the barrel. Weevils are usually not a problem when it gets colder. I would open the feeder up to feed more and let it empty and check the barrel before refilling to make sure nothing has clumped up.

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