Worse than allergies and bad weather, Colorado summers bring — *gulp* — miller moths 😣 Here’s the 411.
Why Here? Why Now?
Every spring through summer (roughly May through June) miller moths migrate from the Great Plains west to the mountains in search of nectarous, flowery food. That migration path crosses right over metro Denver, where the moths look for dark, preferably damp, pitstops — aka your patio furniture, car doors, window shutters, and any other tiny crack or crevice that seems cozy.
Are They Harmful?
A nuisance, yes. But they’re completely harmless. (Don’t ask about the time I leapt from a moving vehicle when one popped out of the dashboard vent though!) In fact, moths are a pollinator species as critical to the ecosystem as honeybees and butterflies. Plus, birds, bats, and bears rely on them as a food source. So before you go on a moth-murdering mission, experts urge you to consider the catch-and-release approach.
Will This Year Be Especially Mothy?
It’s hard to say. While wet winters mean lusher feeding grounds for moths, it also means the moths will be more evenly spread out. In a drought year, you’ll find moths are more concentrated in damper areas.
How To Keep Them Away:
- Moths are attracted to light. (They use the moon to orient their migration journey.) So keep outdoor lights off when possible, and close your window curtains or blinds at night.
- They like to hide in tiny nooks and crannies, so keep a tidy patio. Clutter may as well be a tiny moth motel with a “vacancy” sign.
- If you’re trying to lure one out of hiding or scare it into flight, moths are especially reactive to the jingling of keys or the rattle of a tin full of coins.
- I would NOT encourage using insecticide. They have little to no effect on moths.
Bonus: Here’s one way we managed to have fun with miller moths …
