Miller Moths - A Pest and Occasional Invader
Miller moths can be extremely annoying when they enter our homes, cars or other structures.
They arrive in the Denver suburbs mid-May to early June.
They seem to prefer shaded areas and may be sensitive to heat.
Miller moths cluster in and around the evergreen trees of suburbia.
Miller moths come from the army cut worm found in eastern Colorado and in western Kansas crop areas.
Alfalfa fields are subject to the largest infestations where many thousands of larvae feed on these crops.
If the damage to crops isn't of extreme economic significance, farmers do not invest in time and pesticides to limit the larvae.
In the right temperature and humidity, thousands of moth larvae turn into winged adult moths.
They fly toward the cooler climates of Colorado's mountains.
Our homes just happen to be a rest over on their migration routes.
They enter living areas through very small cracks around doors and windows as well as through recessed lighting fixtures attached in attics.
They do not reproduce in homes or lay eggs, and they do not feed on anything commonly found in homes.
Miller moths have a dusty-covered wing which can leave a residue on drapes, walls and windows.
You may have heard the saying, "..
like a moth to a flame", because miller moths are typically drawn to light, especially at night.
They are also attracted to dark, cool places and will retreat into cracks anywhere on a house.
Some ways to minimize the miller moth's impact at your home are;
The moths outside will also leave within a few days to seek cooler climates or they will begin to die.
They arrive in the Denver suburbs mid-May to early June.
They seem to prefer shaded areas and may be sensitive to heat.
Miller moths cluster in and around the evergreen trees of suburbia.
Miller moths come from the army cut worm found in eastern Colorado and in western Kansas crop areas.
Alfalfa fields are subject to the largest infestations where many thousands of larvae feed on these crops.
If the damage to crops isn't of extreme economic significance, farmers do not invest in time and pesticides to limit the larvae.
In the right temperature and humidity, thousands of moth larvae turn into winged adult moths.
They fly toward the cooler climates of Colorado's mountains.
Our homes just happen to be a rest over on their migration routes.
They enter living areas through very small cracks around doors and windows as well as through recessed lighting fixtures attached in attics.
They do not reproduce in homes or lay eggs, and they do not feed on anything commonly found in homes.
Miller moths have a dusty-covered wing which can leave a residue on drapes, walls and windows.
You may have heard the saying, "..
like a moth to a flame", because miller moths are typically drawn to light, especially at night.
They are also attracted to dark, cool places and will retreat into cracks anywhere on a house.
Some ways to minimize the miller moth's impact at your home are;
- by eliminating exterior lighting,
- replacing light bulbs with amber colored bulbs especially during May and June,
- checking and replacing any warn a weather seal around doors and windows,
- doing a thorough inspection of the exterior of your home for cracks, any crack you can fit a nickel into needs sealed up - caulk will work for this,
- sealing up cracks between gutters and fascia boards and behind down spouts
- not leaving exterior doors open, and coming and going through them quickly
- turning off exterior lights prior to opening the door to enter or leave the home.
The moths outside will also leave within a few days to seek cooler climates or they will begin to die.
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