Are you prepared for the Moth invasion of Albuquerque, Rio Rancho and Santa Fe

Spring is here! Are you ready for the Miller moth invasion in New Mexico?

What are miller moths?

Miller moth' is the term given to any type of moth that is particularly abundant in and around homes. In Colorado and parts of Wyoming, New Mexico and Arizona the common 'miller' is the adult stage of the army cutworm, Euxoa auxiliaris.

How does the army cutworm get its name?

The caterpillar stage is a typical cutworm. However, in high populations they have the unusual habit of banding together in army-like groups and may be seen crawling across fields or highways in large numbers.

A few other regional insects share this habit of forming large bands, including Mormon cricket, the true armyworm, and forest tent caterpillars.

How do millers get indoors?

Miller moths avoid daylight and seek shelter before day break. Ideally, a day time shelter is dark and tight. Small cracks in the doorways of homes, garages and cars make perfect hiding spots. Often moths may be found sheltered together in particularly good shelters.

At night, the moths emerge from the day time shelters to resume their migratory flights and to feed. Since cracks often continue into the living space of a home (or a garage, car, etc.) a 'wrong' turn may lead them indoors, instead of outside.

Why are moths attracted to lights at night?

Although there is still debate among scientists on this point, most feel that moths use the moon to help orient their flights. Such distant points of light allow the insects to fix their flights by maintaining a constant angle to the light source. Artificial lights confuse the insect response since they are so close - an unnatural situation. Trying to maintain the flight angle to these close light sources cause the insects to spiral to the source.

We will start to see the catapiller stage now untill mid-may and they we wil be invaded of the moths. the army cut worm is one of many moths that will be emerging after spring. House in Santa Fe, Placitas and areas with lots of vegitation will have more moth problems than most. The best time to help get control is before the moths apear.