Have you ever gone for a walk at night and noticed a group of bugs congregating around a light fixture? This scene is a common occurrence. Many pests that live in our area gravitate to light sources. If you keep some interior lights on at night, these types of creatures will want to come inside. Arguably the most common species of light-loving insect is the moth. Today we will be talking about some common moth species in our area, what problems they cause, and how to address moths in your Norwalk home.
The Life Cycle Of Common Home-Invading Moths
Moths are a lot like butterflies. They start out as eggs. Different species of moths lay their eggs in different areas. The Indian meal moth, one of the most common home-invading moths in Norwalk, lays its eggs inside boxes of dry food like cereal and rice. After hatching, Indian meal moth larvae feed on stored food contents until they are ready to cocoon. You will often find these cocoons in the seams of packaging and the cracks of crevices of items like napkins and clothing. After emerging from their cocoons, adult Indian meal moths then look for other food boxes to lay more eggs in and are drawn to interior spaces by light fixtures.
The Problems Moths Can Create In Your Home
There are several species of moths that invade homes here in Norwalk. Indian meal moths infest pantries, contaminating food sources with their eggs and larvae. If you do not act fast when dealing with these pests, you could lose an entire storage closet of food. Norwalk's three other common moths include gypsy moths, forest tent caterpillar moths, and European gypsy moths. Gypsy moths are known for damaging plant growth and are a threat to more than 300 species of trees and shrubs. Forest tent caterpillar moths are the least problematic species in our area and are neither dangerous nor destructive. Keeping all of this in mind, having moths indoors is still incredibly annoying and not something you should have to live with.
Simple, Yet Effective Moth Prevention Tips For Around The House
If you don't ever want to see a moth inside your home ever again, what you need is some form of prevention. One method many homeowners start with is DIY exclusion. Here are a few tips and tricks to exclude these pests from your home:
Identify holes, gaps, and openings in your home's exterior foundation. Seal these up using a caulking gun and some silicone caulk.
Repair damage to your window and door screens.
Install door sweeps under all your exterior doors.
Make sure to seal all of your doors and windows with weatherstripping.
Address damage to your home's siding.
Keep unscreened doors, and windows closed when they are not in use.
How Professional Pest Control Keeps The Moths Out
Although DIY prevention is helpful, it is by no means a perfect solution to wasps or other pest problems. If you want a reliable, year-round option to keep invasive pests like moths away, you need professional pest control. Where can you find pest control in Norwalk you can trust? At Tim's Pest Control! Those who know us know we do not mess around with pests. With 34 years of experience in the industry and a commitment to excellence, you can be certain we will get the job done right the first time.
Call Tim's Pest Control now to learn more about our residential and commercial pest control plans in Norwalk, and find a solution in our pest control service area that will keep moths out year-round.