Summer nights are perfect for enjoying the great outdoors. But before enjoying this, you need to figure out how to get rid of moths outside.
You’ve set up the patio, stocked the cooler, and are ready to relax under the starry night sky. And you have even figured out how to get rid of bees in the ground. But wait – what’s that fluttering around the yard and porch light?
Those pesky moths seem to come out of nowhere and take over.
Before you know it, they’re bumping into you, landing in your drink, and generally being a nuisance. Don’t let moths crash your outdoor fun this year.
Banish them for good using these natural methods. You’ll be able to reclaim your yard and enjoy peaceful, moth-free evenings all summer long.
Easily Get Rid of Moths Outside
The biggest attractants for moths are standing water, outdoor lights, and clutter where they can hide. Time for some yard work!
Standing water
First, eliminate any standing water in your yard. Moths need access to water, so remove pet bowls, kid’s toys, gutters, or anything else holding water.
Use Yellow Bug lights
Next, turn off outdoor lights or switch to yellow “bug” lights when not in use. These are less attractive to moths and other night-flying insects.
You should also consider motion-activated lights. If leaving lights on, point them away from entryways to your home.
Identify their hideouts
Finally, get rid of moth hideouts like wood piles, compost bins, brush, and yard debris around the perimeter of your property.
Stacking wood and keeping a compost bin is great, but move them well away from your house. Get into the habit of frequently raking and clearing yard waste.
Side note to get rid of moths outside:
Removing access to water, changing outdoor lighting, and eliminating hiding spots in your yard make the area much less moth-friendly.
While a few months may still flutter by, their numbers should decrease noticeably.
Your yard will be less cluttered and more inviting too! Win-win.
These natural methods are very effective and environmentally friendly alternatives to mothballs or pesticide sprays, which can be toxic.
Make your yard unappealing to moths, and you’ll enjoy evenings outside moth-free in no time.
Use Natural Repellents to Deter Moths
You can use several natural repellents to deter moths in your yard without resorting to harsh chemicals. These are some helpful tricks that have worked before.
Plant Herbs
Plant aromatic herbs like rosemary, lavender, basil, catnip, or mint around the yard.
The strong fragrance will naturally repel moths and their larvae. You can crush some leaves to release the essential oils and place them around the yard.
Essential oils
Spray with water and a few drops of eucalyptus, citronella, or peppermint essential oil. The potent aroma will drive the moths away.
Spray it on plants, yard furniture, entryways to sheds and garages, or elsewhere moths may lurk. Be sure to reapply after rain.
Yellow lighting
Install yellow outdoor lighting. Moths are less attracted to yellow light, so swap your white bulbs for yellow bug light bulbs. This makes your yard less inviting to moths and other night-flying insects.
Soapy Water
Set out bowls of soapy water. The soap disrupts the surface tension of the water, so the moths slip in and drown. Refresh the water every few days to keep it effective.
Natural predators
Encourage natural predators like bats, birds, frogs, lizards, and spiders. Provide nesting spots, food sources, and shelter for these moth predators.
A healthy population of natural enemies will keep moth numbers in check.
Keep the yard clean
Practicing good yard hygiene, like clearing standing water, pruning shrubs, and keeping compost contained.
Moths need access to food sources, shelter, and breeding spots, so eliminating places to thrive will make your yard less moth-friendly.
With some simple, natural solutions, you can banish moths from your yard and enjoy being outside all season long without those pesky moths fluttering around. Sweet relief!
Employ Predators to Control the Moth Population Outside
One of the most effective ways to get rid of moths outside is to introduce natural predators that feed on them. Several creatures can help curb the moth population in an eco-friendly manner.
Birds
Many common birds prey on moths, especially in the larval and pupal stages.
Provide bird feeders, houses, and a bird bath in your yard to attract birds. Species like chickadees, titmice, sparrows, and warblers will gobble up moths and moth eggs.
Bats
Bats feed on moths and other nocturnal flying insects. You can install bat houses in your yard, especially near outdoor lighting fixtures where moths congregate at night.
A single bat can consume up to 1,000 moths per night. Bats are excellent natural pest control for yards and gardens.
Parasitic wasps
Tiny parasitic wasps, like braconid wasps and ichneumon wasps, prey specifically on moth larvae and pupae.
The female wasps lay their eggs inside the moth larvae and pupae, and the wasp larvae feed on their hosts.
You can purchase parasitic wasp pupae to release in your yard for natural moth control. These wasps are tiny and stingless, so they do not threaten people or pets.
Lacewings
Lacewing larvae, known as aphid lions, feed on moth eggs, larvae, and pupae. Adult lacewings also eat moth eggs, pollen, and nectar.
Provide plants with small flowers, like dill, fennel, and yarrow, to attract lacewings to your yard. You can also purchase lacewing eggs or larvae to release for natural moth pest control.
Releasing or attracting these natural predators is an eco-friendly way to control moths in your yard.
Be patient, as it can take time for populations to build up and become fully effective.
But in the long run, natural biological control is sustainable and helps support a healthy, balanced ecosystem in your yard.
Conclusion
Try out a few of these techniques and see what works for you. You’ll be enjoying those warm summer evenings on your patio again without those pesky moths buzzing by.
A few simple changes can significantly banish moths and other unwanted pests from your outdoor space. Why use harsh chemicals when nature has provided so many easy solutions?
Get your yard back and your summer nights moth-free the natural way.
The moths won’t know what hit them, but you’ll raise your lemonade in a toast to a pest-free yard.