If you are seeing small grey or brownish-grey moths fluttering up in a short, zig-zagging pattern when you walk across your grass, you are likely looking at Sod Webworm Moths (often called lawn or snout moths).
At the first sign of webworm damage, treat your lawn with Ortho® BugClear™ Insect Killer for Lawns & Landscapes Concentrate. It can be used in a tank sprayer or connected to your hose with the Ortho® Dial N' Spray Hose End Sprayer. It will start killing webworms, as well as other listed insects, within minutes.
Here are some top tips for effective moth removal:
Before panicking, the first thing you should know is that these webworms don't typically cause a lot of damage to trees and shrubs. They look far worse than they are. So if you don't mind them, the most organic approach is to simply let them be.
Autumn is the time when a lot of pretty autumnal moths appear, mostly Noctuids along with the chance of immigrant species. A selection here in no particular order, from late September and early October in my Hollesley garden.
Most outdoor moths lay their eggs in the late fall. The eggs incubate over the winter and hatch in the spring. However, for common indoor pests like clothes moths and pantry moths, females can mate and lay eggs year-round when indoor environments are warm.
To get rid of moths when you cannot find the source, set out pheromone traps to catch active adults and locate their breeding grounds. Then, aggressively vacuum hard-to-reach areas, wash vulnerable fabrics, and inspect hidden spots like old wool rugs, pet food containers, and forgotten pantry items.
Fall webworms turn into white adult moths (scientifically known as Hyphantria cunea).
Not only do birds and bats consume moths at every stage of the insects' life cycle, so do lizards, small rodents, skunks and even bears. Other insects, including hornets and ants, prey on moth caterpillars, and both spiders and beetles feed on moth pupae tucked away in their cocoons.
Sticky barriers can be used to trap caterpillars from April into the summer. Small spongy moth caterpillars that contact the sticky barrier will become stuck. The band of duct tape is needed to protect the tree bark from the sticky material, which could disfigure or harm the tree if applied directly to bark.
Identification: Sod webworm moths are dingy white, gray or tan with snoutlike projections and wingspans up to 1 inch. They fly in short, zig-zagging spurts. Sod webworm larvae grow to 3/4 to 1 inch long and vary in color, depending on the species.
Geometridae (geometrid moths) The porcelain gray is one of several species of geometrid moths called “grays,” for their overall color. This moth is widespread in eastern North America.
For the instant knockdown of adult moths in flight, your best option is an aerosol spray containing pyrethrins, such as the Reefer-Galler SLA Cedar Scented Spray. Pyrethrins are derived from chrysanthemum flowers and attack the nervous system of the moth, causing it to drop almost immediately.
Sod webworms are highly active from late spring through early fall, with peak damage typically occurring in July and August when temperatures are highest. In the warmest southern regions, such as Florida and coastal California, they can remain active year-round.
To get rid of webworms in your grass, you must act as soon as you spot brown patches or feeding damage. Treat your lawn in the late afternoon or evening when the caterpillars are active. Apply a commercial insecticide containing bifenthrin, spinosad, or Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) using a hose-end sprayer.
Sod webworms may turn into moths, but it's the larval stage, not the adults, that does the most damage to your lawn. Each stage plays a role in the pest cycle, but the caterpillars are the active feeders that chew through grass blades often at night while you sleep.
These moths are also present throughout the year. The peak months are July and August but there is another bump in October.
Most bugs have a very strong sense of smell. Coffee grounds are very potent and even more potent once they are burned. The strong scent and “smoldering effect” will fight off pests and keep them away. Additionally, smoke is generally associated with danger, so bugs will look elsewhere for shelter.
👉 In Matthew 6:19-21, He says, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
Their lives as larvae are usually about six weeks, but long after they have left, the webs remain. If the web is white, it is new. If it is tan or brown, there are no larvae there. Webs can last into the winter before falling out of the tree during a wet snow or a windstorm.
To know if a moth has laid eggs, look for tiny white or pale yellow orbs (about 0.5mm) in dark, secluded spots like closets, pantry cabinets, or on nearby host plants. Fresh eggs are sticky and often appear in clusters or lines, blending in with their surroundings like grains of sand.
You need to do a complete purge of the area they live in: remove all their feeding sources and decontaminate them, then make them inaccessible; and clean everything really well. If you truly have clothing moths a few moth balls really aren't going to cut it (they're more for prevention anyway).
At a glance
To lure a moth out of hiding, use light, scent, or physical disturbance. Wait until dark, turn off all room lights, and shine a single bright flashlight or lamp toward a wall or into a transparent container. Alternatively, lure them with a sugar-water or fruit mixture.