Why isn't my moth trap working?

Author: Brisa Collins  |  Last update: Friday, February 13, 2026

If you move the traps and still don't catch any moths, it means that either the infestation is under control or there are no adult male moths active at that time. Don't remove your traps just yet! Immature male moths could still be present and won't be attracted to the trap until they have fully matured.

How long does it take for moth traps to work?

As soon as the protective paper is removed your traps will be active and ready to capture adult male textile moths for 3 months.

Are moths attracted to LED light?

Moths actually aren't drawn to light as previously thought, study finds. Moths don't know which way is up when around artificial light sources, a new study found.

Where is the best place to put a moth trap?

To get the best out of your new moth trap, you should place it in an area away from street lights and other strong light sources and somewhere sheltered, under a tree or a porch area to help protect it from the weather.

How do you get rid of moths when you can t find the source?

Spray them with a solution of a couple of drops of ordinary dish detergent in a bottle of water. The moths will fall down and drown. In an environment where a wet spray can't be used (such as a library), use an electric flyswatter or other suitable Fly-killing device - Wikipedia, or a powerful hand-held vacuum cleaner.

Questions About Moth Detection And Trapping | FAQ | Kirby Allison

What attracts moths to traps?

Our clothes moth traps work by attracting the adult male textile moths in your home to the pheromone embedded in the sticky strip.

How to figure out where moths are coming from?

Many people wonder what brings these pests indoors. 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.

Where is the best place to catch moths?

Light - It is well known that moths are attracted to lights at night, though the reason for this remains unclear. Try leaving an outside or porch light on after dark, and look for moths on lighted windows or lit walls and fences.

How long does it take to get rid of moths?

So, clothes moths may live one month, eggs may take less than ten days to hatch, larvae will reach maturity in about a month and the pupate stage will last about two to three weeks. So to get rid of a moth infestation, you would need to hammer all stages for at least four to five weeks to break the life cycle.

Can a moth bite you?

No, adult moths do not bite. Moths are mostly harmless, fluttering insects. Because a moth's mouth parts are so small, it is not physically possible for it to bite a human, with few exceptions, including the “vampire moth." The most that will happen is the moth will leave behind a little dust as it flies away.

What color light keeps moths away?

Warm Colours Deters Insects

Warm light colours such as red, orange and yellow have the highest wavelengths. So naturally, you'll want to use warm coloured bulbs in your outdoor lighting design in order to deter large swarms of bugs and insects.

How to get moths out of room?

How To Get Rid Of Moths Naturally
  1. Remove your belongings and deep clean any infested areas. Remove all infested items and either treat them or throw them away. ...
  2. Use non toxic Pantry Moth Traps or Clothes Moth Traps. The Traps are natural and odor-free. ...
  3. Store food and clothes properly.

How to tell if moths are eating clothes?

The first symptom you'll probably spot is tiny holes in your clothing, or thinner patches in your carpets, curtains, rugs or furnishings. These holes get bigger over time as the larvae grows and eats more. Clothes moth larvae also produce white webbing, which they feed under. They may leave trails of this behind.

Are moth traps a good idea?

Having to deal with moths in the home is not nice for anyone. Luckily, moth traps can help detect the presence of moths at an early stage to avoid a bad infestation and keep the damage to a minimum.

What is the most effective moth repellent?

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.

Where is the best place to put moth traps?

Never place a moth trap inside your wardrobe or drawers. Place the pheromone clothes moth box under your wardrobe, under your bed or chest of drawers or on a shelf, in a place where it will be undisturbed. Remember moths like dark, quiet places in order to thrive, so put you moth traps in those places!

What month are moths most active?

There is, however, still a noticeable emergence in adult moths around April and May and a second wave in August and September. If you haven't noticed them in your house just yet you will certainly notice an increase in articles about them in the national media at this time of year.

How do you attract moths to traps?

Using a flashlight or any type of light in a dark field will attract moths. For a more advanced setup, use blacklights or mercury vapor bulbs. Try any or all of these lights and see what you find.

What kills moths instantly?

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.

What smell do moths hate?

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.

What attracts moths the most?

Moths are attracted to light, which is why you often see them flying around lamps and other sources of illumination. If you have any areas in your home where there is a lot of light shining through, moths will be drawn to them.

How to get rid of moths when you can't find the source?

Set up moth traps

So, while cleaning and discarding infested items are crucial, setting up moth traps is a key step in ensuring that your home remains moth-free. Place them where moths are most active—such as closets or pantry shelves—and effectively reduce the population of these miscreants.

What does it mean when you have a lot of moths around your house?

Most moth infestations come from the pantry moth or clothes moths. 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.

What is the app that identifies moths?

What's Flying Tonight App | Biological Records Centre.

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