Mill moths are harmless, but can be a nuisance during their migration. Here’s how to prevent a Miller moth invasion and how to get rid of them if they’re already in your camp…
In May and June, Miller moths are often talked about in our RV Lifestyle group. This year is no different.
Top contributor, Trish, recently posted: “MILLER MOTHS. 😡 Anyone from Colorado know how to kill them in my RV?? HUNDREDS of them!”
She received more than 100 comments with advice on how to get rid of shame. We’ll share that advice, as well as help you prevent an invasion!
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Miller Moth Migration
It is useful to know that Miller moths are usually only a nuisance for 5-6 weeks a year during their migration (May-June). And, actually, they don’t migrate every year! Or at least not that far, depending on the weather and the availability of flowering plants.
You can tell from Trisha’s post that their migration primarily covers Colorado. Although they sometimes appear en masse from fields across Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska.
This year is especially busy for Miller moths, as rain storms brought them early to Colorado.
Important: Miller moths are pollinators!
Before we get into prevention and removal, it’s important to note that Miller moths are pollinators. As such, they are crucial to their ecosystems.
So we don’t want to go around spraying insecticides outside to kill these little guys and their pollinator friends (like bees). In fact, Colorado Governor Jared Polis just signed a law on May 16 that protects pollinators from the threat of toxic chemicals.”
However, there are “common sense exceptions, especially for indoor use.” This means that it is legally acceptable to spray moths inside your living space (ie RV). Although, we have some other tips that don’t require harmful chemicals…
Mike and Jennifer summer shirts for your next adventure
How to keep Miller Moths out of your RV
RVers can take preventative measures to avoid killing these pollinators. And indeed, these are the same preventive measures for preventing all pests, from ants to mice.
(Speaking of which, we have two popular articles on how to keep mice out of your RV and how to get rid of them in your RV.)
Block Entry!
First and foremost, block entry to your RV by checking seals and screens every April. Fill any gaps in the gaskets with RV sealant and sealants and replace or patch screens as needed.
Moths often enter through vents, so you’ll also want to check screen openings and entry points. And, of course, keep your door closed!
Larry, don’t look at the light!
As we all learned from Disney’s A Bug’s Life, moths are attracted to light. Poor Larry couldn’t help but run into the bug catcher because “it’s so pretty!” So, to keep the Larries away, be careful about which lights you leave on.
We strongly suggest that you keep your porch lights off as much as possible during the Miller moth migration. Plus, turning off the porch light before bed is rule #13 of being a good camping neighbor.
The same goes for your bathroom, where moths like to enter through the vent.
How to get rid of Miller Moths
It turns out there are more effective ways to get rid of Miller moths than dousing them with harsh chemicals. You can use the same things that attract them to get rid of them. Let me explain…
Catch Larry on the soap opera
Like we said, Larry (aka the Miller Moth) can’t help but go to the light. It’s just too nice to resist. So many commenters responded to Trisha’s post with their own light trap + soapy water.
The trap is simple. Place an open container of soapy water under a light source (like a camping lantern). Moths will get stuck in the water when they visit the light and, like poor Larry, perish.
Just be sure not to attract more moths with the same light! Strategically place the light where the moths are already congregating. Or strategically place it away from you so moths flock in the opposite direction.
Zap Poor Larry
Of course, you can get rid of Miller moths the same way the camper owner got rid of Larry in A Bug’s Life. That is, with a bug zapper.
Although, we actually recommend the non-zap equivalent…
We recently learned about the Katchy Indoor Insect Trap, which is highly rated with over 100,000 reviews. It is a triple threat to flying bugs, including moths. So, get rid of annoying bugs without annoying zappity zap sizzle!
Suck Larry with a vacuum
Another common solution given in Facebook comments is to use your RV vacuum to vacuum up the Miller moths. Larry’s little wings don’t stand a chance against the suction force of the vacuum.
There’s something oddly satisfying about grabbing and vacuuming them. It almost feels like Luke is using the Force to draw them in.
LEAD Larry outside his RV
For those RVers who don’t want to kill Larry (just get rid of him), there are ways to lure Miller moths out of your RV.
The Denver Museum of Nature and Science explains how to scare them:
“In the morning, briefly open all doors where live moths have gathered to let them out. Moths can hide around doors and windows. Hit them and shake them.”
You can basically get them out of your RV with your own hands if you have the patience for it. They’ll probably want to leave anyway, so you shouldn’t push too hard.
The final list of bugs
If there’s one bad thing about camping, it’s bugs. And there are a lot more bugs than just harmless Miller moths trying to make your RV their home. The video above features an interview with a CDC mosquito expert. She gives useful tips!
Plus, we’ve created a shopping list of the best bug-fighting products on your next RV trip. This list includes everything from screen tents to repellants to bite treatments that will give you a full line of defense… and offense… against bugs!
Check out the Bug Off Shopping List…
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