Discover 9 DIY Solutions to Keep Miller Moths Away

Miller moths may not be dangerous, but they certainly are annoying. These flying insects flutter around our faces, stain surfaces with their brown secretions and invade our homes. They’re especially problematic from June to August during the night hours. Still, these irritating moths are vital pollinators that contribute to their ecosystems and don’t do us any real harm. So how can you learn to live at peace with these small pests without actually inviting them into your home? Read on for nine DIY solutions that will help you keep miller moths at bay.

1. Turn Off the Lights

Perhaps the most basic way to keep miller moths away is by turning off the lights on your porch. Light naturally attracts miller moths, which is a common way they get into houses in the first place. This is especially true at night when light sources stand out like beacons. The fact that miller moths are most active at night compounds the problem. If you must go outside at night, turn off the porch lights first to avoid letting in any of these flying insects. Also, try replacing any bright white lights with bulbs that have a yellowish tint – the whiter the light, the better miller moths like it.

2. Hang Up Wind Chimes

Miller moths might like bright lights, but they don’t like loud noises. If you find you’re getting a lot of miller moths near your house, try hanging up some wind chimes near your front and back doors to scare them away. You can substitute wind chimes with anything that makes a jingling or tinkling noise. The sound disorients the moths and makes them less likely to approach your house.

3. Maintain Screens

Maintaining the screens on your windows and doors is another basic yet effective way to keep away miller moths. These insects can easily get into your house through holes or gaps in protective screens, so be sure to repair or replace them before summer comes.

4. Check the Seals on Outer Doors

As with screens, sometimes the seals on outer doors can come loose and develop gaps. Before miller moths arrive for the season, double-check that the seals on your outer doors are firmly in place.

5. Use a Bucket of Soapy Water

A common trick for dealing with pesky miller moths is to place a bucket of soapy water under a light source. The moths will fly toward the light and flutter around erratically, eventually (hopefully) landing in the water. Then the sudsy water will trap and drown them. A squirt or two of dish detergent works great. Note: this method is usually more effective indoors where fewer moths are flying around.

6. Vacuum Them Up

A great way to deal with miller moths in the house is to get out the vacuum cleaner and suck them up. A high-powered vacuum cleaner works best for this approach. One benefit of using a vacuum cleaner is that you can chase the moths into tight spaces instead of waiting for them to come out on their own. Just remember to change the bag or empty the canister once you’re done as the decaying moths may give off an unpleasant odor.

7. Use a Fly Swatter

A less high-powered method of combating miller moths is a good old-fashioned fly swatter. Of course, you can substitute other effective objects like magazines or newspapers. Once you’re done, remember to remove the dead moths from the house so other insects aren’t attracted to a potential food source.

8. Use Essential Oils

Essential oils are useful in repelling many types of insects, moths included. Oils like cedarwood, clove, eucalyptus, lavender, and peppermint are particularly good at repelling moths, so try these out first. A diffuser will fill your home with the scent and hopefully discourage miller moths from coming inside. You can even try it on the porch to keep them away from the outer doors.

9. Use a Bug Zapper

This rather brutal but effective method lures insects in with an attractive UV light and then electrocutes them. If you just can’t seem to get rid of Miller Moths any other way, it might be time to try a good-quality bug zapper.

Should I Use Insecticides?

There are a couple of reasons not to use insecticides on miller moths. First of all, they don’t work very well, so it’s time and money down the drain. Second of all, insecticides aren’t just harmful to insects, they’re harmful to humans and pets, too. When combating miller moths, it’s best to stick to natural pest control methods.

Life Cycle of Miller Moths

Miller moths lay their eggs in late summer and early fall. After the eggs hatch, the larvae (caterpillars known as army cutworms) spend their time feeding on leafy plants and grasses. These caterpillars eventually develop into whitish or greyish moths with distinctive black markings on their wings. As the weather warms and they migrate west in the millions, they act as pollinators by feeding on the nectar of flowers along the way. At the end of the summer, they migrate east to lay their eggs.

Summary Table of 9 DIY Solutions to Keep Miller Moths Away