Miller Moths (Denver: garage door, land, place)

[Moonwalkr]

What causes them to be attracted to my house? I didn't notice them last year, but this year for the past couple weeks we've had many of them inside the house. A few days ago my wife opened the garage door and about 30 of them flew out into her like some bad horror movie. When can I expect them to go away?

[ramanboy33]

Originally Posted by Moonwalkr

What causes them to be attracted to my house? I didn't notice them last year, but this year for the past couple weeks we've had many of them inside the house. A few days ago my wife opened the garage door and about 30 of them flew out into her like some bad horror movie. When can I expect them to go away?

Miller moths migrate from the plains to the mountains every summer. They usually hang around Denver 5-6 weeks (different waves, individual moths don't stay that long) starting in late May. As soon as it starts to get hot (hopefully soon), they'll go up into the cooler mountains and you won't see them anymore. As for liking your house, they don't like daylight and will find anyplace to hide during the day.

This year has been worse for miller moths than the last few years, but the last decade+ has been really mild. I remember some years in the early 90's (91 in particular) when there were a good 100 times (I might be greatly UNDERestimating that) as many moths than this year.

The good thing is they're harmless.

[Neditate]

Ramanboy, I remember the huge numbers of them back in the early 90s. It was bad!
They just started making an appearance up here in the mountains a few days ago. Every time I open a door one (or more) flies in. Just a reminder when you are trying to get them out of the house... don't smack them with a paper or fly swatter. They turn to dust and it is gross. Get out the handvac and suck 'em up, then release them outside. At least that works well for me

[DenverAztec]

My cats like to much them but I hate the potato chip crunching sound that they make.

[D-town 720]

Oh man I hate these things! I swear I crushed one and flushed it down the shower drain only to wake up next morning and see it in my tub!

[Summerz]

Originally Posted by Moonwalkr

What causes them to be attracted to my house? I didn't notice them last year, but this year for the past couple weeks we've had many of them inside the house. A few days ago my wife opened the garage door and about 30 of them flew out into her like some bad horror movie. When can I expect them to go away?

Pesky things!
Will never forget them when I was growing up in Colorado....still have nightmares.
There was this one hallway........ and they were like Bats
Course no one believes me.........

[D-town 720]

What happens when they land on your head for a minute? It happend to me. Gawd I hope it wasnt pooping!

[DenverAztec]

LOL, you know that is what it was doing D-town!

When I was a kid my sister was laughing wildly one night, so much so that her mouth was wide open. A miller moth flew into her mouth and about 30 seconds later came out her nose. She began crying and we all ran from her. She was known as cootie girl for about a good month.

[Neditate]

Oh my! Poor kid! That is so funny and so not funny at the same time. Talk about nightmares for the rest of your life...

[DenverAztec]

If sis was able to forget, she has five brothers to reminder her. We only do so when she gets too rowdy or needs to be blackmailed.