They are excellent pollinators as adults, yet their larval stage is nearly always problematic for gardeners. We just have to accept them as they are. Shoo the moth out the door at night, and pick off the larvae from your cabbage leaves in the morning.
Common knowledge holds that light attracts moths, and this is true in many cases. Moths often gather around outdoor lighting or windows at nighttime, where they may move inside through small cracks or when doors and windows are opened.
The moths themselves are quite harmless but their larvae (the caterpillar stage) can damage your crops to the point of being inedible. There are a couple of ways to control these insects.
Light: Moths are naturally attracted to light sources, especially at night. If you have outdoor lights on your porch, this could be drawing them in. Food Sources: Moths may be attracted to food sources, such as spilled food, pet food, or plants that are flowering nearby. Humidity: Moths thrive in humid environments.
Moths in themselves are not bad for human health. Some are pests in the larval stage because they eat crops (and in the case of like 5 small species out of thousands, natural fabrics), but the adults are entirely harmless. Most caterpillars are harmless to our crops and even the plants they are eating.
Other signs to look out for include: The presence of adult moth. If you see small moth on walls or in corners and around the skirting of your home then it is worth having a closer look for damage to the carpets under fixed furniture, and clothes stored in cupboards and wardrobes.
Vinegar Traps: Fill a bowl with vinegar and add a few drops of dish soap. The moths will be attracted to the vinegar but will get trapped in the soapy water. Homemade Moth Traps: Make simple moth traps using cardboard and sticky tape. Place these traps near lights or windows where moths tend to gather.
For an instant kill, cleaning containers using a solution of hot soapy water will instantly kill Pantry Moth Eggs. Additionally, freezing items will kill eggs and larvae, although you must wait 72 hours for this method to be effective.
Plant flowers that release their scent in the evening to attract moths and, ultimately, bats looking for an insect-meal into your garden. Flowers that release their scent in the evening are a big draw for moths so planting them is a great way of attracting moths into your garden.
The most common way to contract a moth infestation is by carrying infected items into the home. Food and clothing items that have larvae or eggs hiding within them can introduce a moth problem when you least expect it. Unsealed containers in our pantries are perfect targets for pantry months.
Web Worm Moths
These grass moths are small, white or buff-colored moths that fly along the lawn's surface and lay eggs throughout. It only takes one week for eggs to hatch so, oftentimes, there are multiple generations of sod webworms in an infested lawn by July or August.
Freezing infested woolens can work to kill clothes moths if there is an abrupt change from warm (70° F; 21° C) to freezing (0° F; - 18° C) and leaving the items for at least 72 hours once the material reaches 0° F.
Moths seek the brightest lights they can find. Ordinary light bulbs give off a bright, white light that moths crave. By switching your bulbs to yellow, your porch suddenly becomes less appealing to the moths.
Lavender — Lavender is a widely-loved moth repellent for good reason. Its floral scent is delightful to humans but repulsive to moths. Our 'Protect Me' Scent Bags can be placed in closets and drawers to protect your garments. Plus, they impart a lovely fragrance to all surrounding clothes.
Moths can represent change, transformation, and growth. Many cultures see moths as symbols of death and believe they bring messages from the afterlife. Others believe that moths symbolize your intuition and encourage you to trust your inner wisdom.
Sod Webworm larvae overwinter in underground tunnels beneath your lawn. These small larvae are approximately 1/2″ long and blend in very well with your lawn. When the overwintering larvae get to late spring, they pupate and then the adult moths emerge 10-14 days later, typically in June.
It's probably outdoor lighting. Why are moths are attracted to light? Scientists believe that this is because they normally navigate by the moon's light but become confused by outdoor lighting and other artificial light sources. Once near or inside your home, they might seek food sources to lay eggs in.
Like many adult insects, the moths themselves do not cause any damage to the lawn. They may sip nectar from a flower or dew from a grass blade, but their sole purpose is to find a mate, procreate, lay eggs and die.
As an alternative, you can choose an all-natural product to repel moths, such as cedar chips and lavender sachets.
They Are Looking For Food Sources
Moths are also attracted to food sources. If you have any plants in your home that are attracting bugs, moths will be drawn to them. Additionally, if you have any pet food or bird feeders outside your home, moths will be drawn to those as well.
Sevin® Insect Killer Concentrate, used with a pump-style sprayer, is ideal for treating lawns and surrounding shrubbery, where moths may hide, and spot treating areas with sod webworm activity. Give special attention to exposed thatch and grass surrounding suspected damage.
It's hard to pinpoint how these things get indoors in the first place, but they do not go away on their own, says Suiter. If you don't want moth hanky-panky in your pantry (translation: lots of babies!), it's time to do some sleuthing. Here's how to get rid of these common pests.