“The moths are driving me crazy!” Have you said that recently? Chances are, you have. The moths seem to be lots worse this year than normal. They are fluttering about the yard at night flitting about around the lights. They come in the house and do the same thing. Watching television at night, it is you, the television and a moth throwing himself repeatedly against the screen. What is causing this infestation?
I did some research on this. The bad news is that I could not really find any definitive answer as to why we are seeing so many this year. I was hoping that it might be some Native American sign for a good wet summer. No such luck. But, we can always keep a good thought, right? The good news is I did find someone who does know a little more about moths than me!
Kerry Siders, IPM Agent for Texas AgriLife Extension stated in an educational video that the moths or Millers, as they are sometimes called, have been with us for about a week in high infestation numbers. “Most of the ones I have noted fall into the family of cutworms of different types, including Mesquite Cutworms, which is predominantly what we are seeing. These can be damaging to Mesquite so they could be considered beneficial.”
He stated that these moths are emerging from over wintering and some migration from some distances to the south of us. “We find these on mesquite rangeland. But they are a nuisance to us. They are really not damaging to us. There is dust associated with them which is actually scales off their wings when they fly. If you are allergic, this could be a problem, but for most of us, it is just a nuisance right now.” This overwintering could be due to the fact that we did have such a mild winter this year.
These have a life cycle and will grow as they feed on vegetation. Siders stated, “Right now, we are seeing these things emerge from a pupa from in the soil from overwintering. We are seeing a high percentage of males so they won’t be laying eggs. We should see these things play out over the next 10 to 15 days.”
He stated that we have not seen this large number since around 2009. They could be with us for over 30 days, but on the average 20 days. “We are not quite halfway into this infestation, so expect to see them for a little bit longer,” stated Siders.
Siders did state that “You could spray and kill them today, but every one of them will be replaced tomorrow by another million.” He suggested limiting nighttime lights as a means of reducing the numbers.
What Attracts Moths to Homes?
The two main types of moths that infest homes are webbing and casemaking clothes moths along with pantry moths. 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.
Stored Food Moths
Pantry goods attract moth species that lay their eggs in stored grains and processed products. These pests often come into homes inside infested food packages.
Once inside, their eggs hatch into larvae that eat grains, dried nuts, cereals, and a variety of processed products. These pests contaminate food with feces, cocoons, and web-like material.
Moth Infestations
Knowing what attracts moths is the best way to help locate the source of infestations. Homeowners who find adult moths around kitchens can look for larvae inside stored food or hiding in cracks and crevices located within the pantry.
When larvae are found, inspect and remove any affected products to prevent the pests’ spread. Those who notice holes in clothing should check closets and storage chests for clothes moth activity.
Vacuuming to remove moth adults and larvae, dry cleaning or washing and drying infested clothes, avoid over-crowding closets and routinely inspecting clothes for damage are a few of the preferred methods to help control fabric pests.
For pantry pest prevention, use a vacuum inside the pantry to keep things clean. Store products in sealed containers and practice “first in-first out” procedures to help ensure that old, out of date products are not allowed to accumulate.
So, if you see a lot of moths in your yard these days, this could be a good indication that their eggs have hatched and that your yard could be infected. Keep in mind, it’s not the small tan moths in your yard that pose a threat to your grass, it’s their larvae.
So there you have it. More than you ever really wanted to know about moths and much less than you were hoping to know about why we have so many this year!
