What to know about miller moths in Colorado in 2023

Aug 16, 2023

Likely, you've noticed in recent days a proliferation of miller moths fluttering around the kitchen, living room and, perhaps most annoyingly, your bedroom.

Like allergies, miller moths are a spring nuisance to Colorado Front Range residents and cause varying degrees of annoyance, mostly depending on the weather.

Some years, allergies and moths are tolerable. Other years, insufferable.

Here are answers to frequently asked miller moth questions, according to the Colorado State University Extension Service.

There is no clear population outlook for this season but a "pulse'' of miller moths made its way to the Fort Collins area several days ago when temperatures were warmer, according to Whitney Cranshaw, retired Colorado State University entomologist.

"The ones here will hunker down and stay put until it gets warmer at night when they can fly easier," said Cranshaw, adding he hasn't heard of any significant cutworm population increases that would increase the moth population. "It doesn't look like it's going to get warm enough for them to fly for a week or more, so people will be seeing them around."

He said a second factor regarding the number of moths you see around your house is the abundance or lack of abundance of native flowers and nectar on which the moths feed. The fewer the native plants blooming, the more moths will congregate in urban landscapes to feed on such plants as lilac, cherries, spirea, euonymus, cotoneaster, horse chestnut, raspberry and Russian olive.

Colorado vegetable gardening:When, what, where to plant and how to water

Miller moths do not feed on household items — the only damage they cause indoors is spotting drapes or other surfaces when they excrete fluid.

Colorado lawn care:What to know about snow mold, fertilizer, watering and more