Everything You Need to Know About Moths

Moths are, for the most part harmless, but they can damage your clothing, invade your food supplies, and pose a general nuisance.

All About Moths

Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it. -Confucius

While not as attractive as their butterfly cousins, they have some interesting and surprising characteristics. First, they aren’t all dull brown in appearance. For example, the Choristostigma moth is yellow and purple! Check out this gallery of Magical Moths, and you’ll find bright colors, velvety textures . . . and a beauty you’ve never before seen.

Moths: 8 Fast Facts

1. Butterflies are “diurnal;” they fly during the day. But moths are nocturnal and diurnal; you can see some varieties during the day and mistake them for butterflies.
2. For every 1 butterfly you see, there are nine you probably don’t see. Both belong to the Lepidoptera genus, and over 90% of them are moths.
3. They are valuable to the pollination process. In fact, yucca plants have a moth “partner” to help cross-pollinate their flowers.
4. They can be teeny-tiny (micromoths) or as large as a dinner plate (white witch moth).
5. They don’t eat much, but they do get eaten. As a rich source of protein, bats, birds, frogs, lizards, and even people enjoy a tasty moth now and then.
6. They don’t have noses, but the males have a highly developed sense of smell. Male moths have antennae that can detect chemicals in the environment and especially the pheromones female moths use to attract mates.
7. Some don’t have mouths. They leave the cocoon, mate, and die in a short time span, so why bother eating? The luna moth is a good example of a mouthless moth.
8. There are 135,000 species.

Yikes! Pantry Moths!

Pantry moths get into your food storage and wreak havoc. They dine, lay eggs, and their larvae can invade several types of stored foods. They prefer:

• Birdseed
• Candy
• Cereal
• Dried fruit
• Dried herbs
• Flour/meal
• Nuts
• Pasta
• Pet food
• Powdered milk

If you suspect you have a pantry moth infestation, you probably do. When you pour a bowl of cereal – and some of it moves – that’s a sure sign moths are your new tenants. In addition to larvae in your food, other signs you may have a moth problem are:

• Cocoons on top of cabinets or in corners
• Flying moths around lights at night
• Larvae on walls near the ceiling

Moths are Pests, Not Pets

Moths may have some beauty and value, but when they swarm in your bedroom at night, help themselves to your cereal and flour, or destroy your favorite sweater, it’s time to send them packing. Budget Brothers is Arizona’s premier termite and pest removal service, and we care about our reputation because we’re your neighbors. All our professionals live in the Phoenix area.

Contact us to learn more about our termite and pest elimination services. Estimates are free, so don’t wait until a small problem becomes a big one!