Moth Identification & Prevention

Moths are relatives of butterflies and, together with them, form the order Lepidoptera, which means "scaly wings." Months can look a lot like butterflies, but there are some marked differences between them.

The biggest difference between moths and butterflies is that butterflies come out during the day, while moths are nocturnal. Moths also have fatter bodies than butterflies and are usually less colorful, though there are some very flashy exceptions (such as the Luna moth). Reach out to us today for help with pest control in Elk Grove, CA.

Moths are seldom dangerous to humans. They don't spread diseases, and they don't have any defense mechanisms to speak of. However, they can destroy property if given the opportunity.

There are several different moth varieties whose larvae feed on a wide range of items, including pantry foods, clothing, and even furniture and books. If you're not careful, a moth infestation can leave you with a wardrobe full of moth holes.

Another way moths can sometimes pose a threat to humans is by attracting spiders. If moths draw venomous spiders into your home, they could cause more significant problems than just a few holes in your clothes.

You may often wind up with a moth problem because a female of one of the many pest moth species found its way inside your home and laid eggs. Once that happens, you can end up with a mass of moth caterpillars munching their way through your clothes drawers or chowing down on your grain supplies.

Things like screens for your windows and doors are a big part of moth control. You may also attract moths to your home by leaving your blinds open at night or your exterior lights on.

Moths are attracted to light, so one of the main places you will find these little flutterers is around windows and exterior lights. If you leave your windows open and don't have screens that fit, you may also notice moths congregating on light bulbs inside your house. Moth larvae, on the other hand, are most commonly found in items they eat, such as natural fabrics and grains.

Moth removal can be challenging because finding a cluster of moth larvae doesn't mean you've found them all. You might throw out a contaminated store of flour full of grain moths only to realize you have a clothes moth infestation as well.

If you are finding moth damage, it's important to let pest control professionals handle your moth control needs. Here at Bell Pest Control, our moth experts can identify and detect all the common pest moths in the Elk Grove, CA, area – from Indian meal moths to clothes moths, and more. We know all their sneaky ways and carry a wide variety of products that can eliminate them from your entire home.

There are several tips and tricks you can follow to help protect yourself from future moth infestations:

• Turn off exterior lights at night.
• Use blinds or curtains on windows at night.
• Make sure all window and door screens are tight and free of rips and tears.
• Don't leave unscreened windows or doors open.
• Vacuum-seal clothes for long-term storage.
• Store your grains and starches in airtight containers.

Following these tricks can help make it difficult for moths to invade and infest your property. But if you wind up with an infestation you don't know how to handle, contact us for pest control services here at Bell Pest Control.