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.
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.
For the most part, moths are generally not harmful to humans, although the presence of adult moths and their hungry caterpillar larvae can be a nuisance and far more of a threat to your favorite winter sweaters than they are to you. However, if you have allergies, they can be a trigger for your symptoms.
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.
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.
Cedar oil is strong and effective and the moths don't like it! Other good essential oils to repel moths include lavender, rosemary, lemon, bergamot, sage, and mint.
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.
Key signs of a moth infestation in your home:
Fur garments and accessories that shed excessively. Moths flying around or crawling on items in your home. Silky tunnels or furrows found near or in wool fabric and clothing; also sometimes seen in grains and other dried foods. Crust-like spots on rugs, draperies, and ...
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.
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 are attracted to food sources for their larvae to consume. For instance, Pantry Moth Larvae love dry stored food goods such as flour, cereal, rice, grain, and even dog food. Clothes Moth Larvae will eat animal based fibres such as cashmere, wool, silk, and leather.
Dryer sheets typically contain chemicals such as linalool, beta-citronellol, and geraniol, which are known to have some insect-repellent properties.
Musty smell – If your wardrobe or drawers have a musty smell you might have moths.
Sod webworms spend the winter months as larvae that reside several inches below the soil surface. During the spring, the larvae mature and transform into the adult moth stage. This stage does not do damage to the turf, but the moths will deposit eggs that hatch after about a week.
If there is a steady food supply, pantry moths will not go away and continue laying eggs. They will go away if all food is removed, but this process can take weeks or even months.
We recommend using a solution of vinegar and hot water and paying close attention to areas that moths will have frequented. Another tip is to use a carpet steamer, as this will help kill off any signs of moth life left behind in your upholstery.
How do moths get into the house? If you find a single moth in your home, it's likely that it has come through the window. But if you're inundated with them it's likely that the larvae has been brought into the home through somebody's shopping or clothes.
Moths tend to dislike lavender and Cedar. Although lavender smells great to humans, it is highly repellent to insects like moths. Cedar is another great choice. Cedar masks the smell of natural fabrics and also gives clothing and linens a fresh, fragrant aroma.