WrightwoodCalif.com Forum
Public Forums => Hot Topics => Topic started by: Wrightwood on May 02, 04, 01:13:01 PM
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My kitty is having a field day. We've got moth wings and guts all over the house! It's not like we leave all the doors open for any length of time either.
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And I thought it was just US!!!!
::)
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We saw none last weekend. Yet when we came up this weekend, we saw a whole bunch of them inside the house. Do they nest inside the walls or something?
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EEEK! A MOTH! Or a dozen...
Today I picked up a bunch of towels I had hanging on the fence outside and brought them in to wash.
As I began to put the first one in the washer about a dozen of these moths flew out! IN my house....
Every towel was just full of them.... ???
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Well...my dress was hanging on the line, and I went and got it in the morning and put it on to go to work. As I was driving, I experienced an interesting (and somewhat disturbing) crawling sensation in side my dress. :o
By the time I got done with it, who knows what it was? ???
COULD have been a moth.....
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or a mouse :)
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or a lizard...
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Hey ....
I lightly flicked a moth on my stovetop today and it was dead.
Are they dying...
or did it just eat some of my cooking?
???
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Now I've been noticing them. O. K. Who's an entomologist out there?
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I think we've killed 12-15 moths over the past 3 days. Help!!!
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I try to catch and release....
A new career with so many of them!!!
:P
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I would consider 12-15 months in 3 days to be fortunate :'(
Hey wait a minute Wrightwood! Time is going by fast enough without you compressing 12-15 (months) into 3 days. ;D
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I stand corrected ! [smiley=shuffle.gif]
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I just found a moth in my room just a couple of hours ago, I flicked it away with a towel I don't know if it is still alive or not. This is the only moth that I've seen in my house.
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Any suggestions on how to get rid of them (preferably without chemicals)? I have a million in my attic.
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This is what I do inside the house.
Put a couple pans filled with water and a bit of dish soap. I use pyrex dishes because they are deep. Place a small lamp (night stand lamp) on a counter, away from where you are going to be. Place the water filled dishes under the lamp and turn it on. I do this at night when I go to bed and put the lamp and water on the kitchen counter. Make sure this is the only light on. The moths are attracted to the light and flutter around it. They eventually dip into the water, get their wings wet and never fly again. Empty the dishes in the morning and start over the next night. In one two nights I had 18 dead moths.
I would like to hear any other remedies.
Good luck.
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They taste like chicken. ;D
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Thanks Moose
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Seems pollen being sasterated among us, its a primal year for the moth and its regeneration ::)
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No pete, just bad spelling: saturated :o
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ahhhh! i see 8)
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OK....Everyone drive at 65 mph with the high beams on thru town and lets see how many we can kill. ;D
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Just announce Mountain High had a mysterious late snow, and let the snow players do that for you!
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Shhhh.... I have to type very quietly. I tried the soapy water in the pan idea, but apparently there was some tiny amount of radioactive Radon gas in my home which effected the moths. This morning there were 18 giant moths lounging around the pan drinking my beer. They are HUGE. I managed to sneak down to my computer to send out this message. I only hope.....wait what's that? s o m e t h i n g i s c o m i n g d ow n
t h e s t a i AAAGGHHH.....
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I'd like to get back to the seriousness of the moth problem that exists in our part of town.
(Linnet - between Oak & Walnut)
I'm far from being a moth expert but from all indications these appear to be gypsy moths. The number of moths during the past few days has increased dramatically and I'm not just talking about inside the house. Early this morning thousands were swarming outside the house.
After checking numerous websites it's clear that gypsy moth invasions occur around the country and create huge problems for entire forests.
Has anyone else notice increases in the number of moths in the last few days?
What part of town and are you located near large parcels of forest ?
Are these gypsy moths ?
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I, too, noticed an increase in the moths last night.
I am still grabbing them, stuffing them in a jar and throwing them out the doggie door...
So Freighthauler has the opportunity to decorate his windshield with them... :P
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I noticed there were a lot more out last night too. They all appear to be the same variety, although I do not know if they are gypsy moths. We are close to a dense forest area. What kind of damage do they cause to the forest?
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You know, having the pine pollen, moths, lady bugs, and wake up birds all at the same time this year gives me that "special" feeling (kind of like putting peanut butter and ice cream in your underwear) that makes Wrightwood a really special place. ;D
Actually, when Mr. Nolena and I can breathe, we really love it here. We'd rather put up with all of this than:
smog
noise
traffic
WAY too many people!
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Still not sure of the type and still checking into it. You're right that the gypsy moth does sound like an issue back East and not on the West coast yet.
I noticed there were a lot more out last night too. They all appear to be the same variety, although I do not know if they are gypsy moths. We are close to a dense forest area. What kind of damage do they cause to the forest?
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Gypsy moths eat the leaves of hardwood trees. They came over from Europe and have defoliated many forests on the east coast and are moving to the midwest. There is also the Asian Gypsy Moth that came over from Asia and is now in the pacific northwest. If the trees are healthy, they can take one or two defoliations (especially the oaks) and survive. The populations go sky high in the first year or two of infestation, but then the predators catch up and they become a background pest. When you have a gypsy moth invasion--it is not the moths that are the problem--it is the catepillars that are EVERYWHERE--on your walls, your roof, the road, the sidewalk. But unless VERY desparate, they will not eat the needles of conifers.
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Not the best pictures :'(
(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/nature/moth04a.JPG)
(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/nature/moth04b.JPG)
I'll send them to Entomologist Laura D. Merrill and see if she can give us a hand on identification.
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Please hurry...and a solution to kill the b***ards! Found two in my car this morning, and upon returning home this evening, felt like the main characters from Hitchcock's "The Birds," -- swatting at them to try to sneak in the front door, ducking my head under the 20-or-so flying around my hallway light inside. GROSS!
Wrightwood - the infestation is not only midtown, but also over here on LA Co side (lotsa oaks around here...).
Dr. Merrill -- HURRY! Is there a WMD for moths? I can't use a cat - my obese dog would eat it.
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Matsu ria ya, Mat su ra .
We must find the queen moth and destroy her. Slow-llly.
To pay her back for the army of thousands she unleashed upon us.
Avenge the pollen, I say. Avenge them. ;)
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The only monster that whooped Godzilla bad was Mothra. I hope we find something better than radioactive dragon breath.
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WOOOO--MAMA! As I've said before, I don't live in Wrightwood but I do come up often. I'd been reading this thread and didn't think much of it until last night. I was in Wrightwood for the evening and driving home up Hwy 2 and down Big Pines Hwy I thought I was in a horror movie! "Invasion of the moths".... Hey Freighthauler--any suggestions for scraping all those smashed moth bodies off my windshield ??? :-/
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TableMtn,
I know the forest service frowns on removing pine cones, etc. from the forest.
Are those moths you're transporting out of the area considered forest service property?
Has anyone seen or located large numbers of caterpillars around town?
Still haven't heard back from Dr Laura yet.
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Man, they just keep getting wors instead of better. Seems the warmer the night, the bigger the sworm. Last night we got in around 11:00 and there were hundreds of them outside our front door (oops left the porch light on) but the worst part was there must have been 30 of the buggers in the house. I sure wish I could find how they are getting in, because they are making us all crazy.
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One of the tricky ways they get in is hitching a ride on you. Sometimes my husband works late and I leave the porch light on for him. When he comes in, he is wearing about 10 moths and they scatter as soon as they get in.
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Sorry Wrightwood--The land and plants are federal property but wildlife belongs to the state. This comes from English common law and goes all the way back to the Magna Carta signed by King John in 1215. (I'm just a wealth of flotsam and jetsom floating around my brain....) That is why even though hunting is allowed in the National Forest (but not in National Parks), the hunting regulations are established by the sovereign state. And in many states, they don't have any regulations that address insects. So, looks like I'm in the clear ::)
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But....DO they taste like chicken? ???
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I would think not, as one was hiding in our oven the other night when we preheated it to bake cookies. The smell he gave off as he was roasting was more akin to a meatloafy smell.
According to California law, when insects engage in the illegal activity of hitch hiking they are no longer under the legal protection of the state. ;D
Three ways I have seen these tricky guys gain entrance into our house is by hiding in the door jam until you open the door, by crawling through any gaps in the door weatherstripping and crawling around any gaps in the window screens where they meet the window frame.
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Two nights ago we had one moth smoke to death on our bathroom halogen light. Usually they hit the light, get a quick burn, and it's off to moth heaven. This one must have seared onto the bulb. We smelled something burning for a good 20 minutes before we were able to locate the source. We finally discovered the charcoal remains of the victim. The unpleasant smell remained for most of the evening. I would describe the smell has a burning hairy meaty smell. :P
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Three ways I have seen these tricky guys gain entrance into our house is by hiding in the door jam until you open the door, by crawling through any gaps in the door weatherstripping and crawling around any gaps in the window screens where they meet the window frame.
Thanks for the info. I was scratching my head trying to figure out how they get in. In my case the first two wouldn't apply, but there are gaps in the window screens where they meet the window frame. I can't think of a way to fix this other than caulking in the screens. ;) The house has been really warm from being closed up for the week, maybe that's attracting them also?
At night, normally leaving a light on in the living room has kept the moths away from the bedrooms. But last night there were so many that there were still some in the bedrooms. They're attracted to the neighbor's outside lights ... so every fifteen minutes or so we'd be awakened by a light "ping" on the metal miniblinds. That made for a restless night of sleep!
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Dunno if it's been mentioned, but insects are drawn to "irregated areas"... according to National Geographic. Watering your lawn often or even keeping a bird bath might be the culprit.
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Since they didn't have moth balls at Lowe's in OC, I bought some of those cedar blocks to put around the cabin. I wonder if they'll really work to keep the moths away. I might still find some moth balls, but only use them in the attic and the crawl space ... I don't want to get the smell in the house.
The strange thing (to me) is that I haven't seen the moths in the closets (then again, we don't have anything that's wool) ... or are these not the kind of moths that get into clothes?
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I found that vacuuming them up in the window sills works great. Today I must have got over a hundred. They sure look gross in the see thru chamber in the vacuume.
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You're welcome. ;D
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I had a light fixture that must've trapped and killed about 50 moths. I gathered them up and dropped them in a pile on the shore at Lake Jackson. I tried to use them for bait. The birds came by and gobbled them all up! I wonder what they're called and if they have other stages in their lifecycle.
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I remember in the late 60's we had invasion of the moths. My mother put a pan of vegetable oil under a light to catch them. I have heard water and detergent does the same.
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It might be "MILLER TIME"
First indications from Dr. Laura Merrill is that the moths are called "miller moths".
Samples have been sent to Dr. Merrill for examination and will take a day or two. While waiting for the confirmation here are some important points about miller moths:
Why are they called miller moths?
Answer: Their wings are covered by fine scales that easily rub off. The scales reminded people of the dusty flour that covers the clothing of grain-mill operators.
Are miller moths harmful?
The caterpillar stage of the army cutworm is sometimes an important pest for crops in spring. However, the adult-miller stage is primarily a nuisance--albeit a considerable nuisance at times. Moths in the home do not feed or lay eggs. During the migratory flights, the moths do not produce or lay eggs. Furthermore, the caterpillar stage would not survive on household furnishings or other foods in the home.
Moths in the home will eventually either find a way outdoors or die. When large numbers do die in a home, there may be a small odor problem (due to the fat in their bodies turning rancid). Also, unless they are cleaned out, the old moths may serve as food for carpet beetles and other household scavengers.
Probably the greatest damage by millers is lost sleep, when they are flying about the room and the (needless) worry they may cause some harm.
Moths that have recently emerged from the pupa produce a reddish-brown fluid that often is deposited on windows, walls or other areas where the insect rests. This is called meconia and is the waste product stored during pupal development. Meconia is primarily proteinaceous and is usually not difficult to remove. Follow normal fabric-care instructions on clothing. Spray-and-wash type household cleaners can remove the spots from walls and other surfaces.
Here are some website links about miller moths:
http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/CoopExt/4DMG/Pests/millers.htm
http://www.abqtrib.com/archives/news03/060303_news_moths.shtml
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/tips-millers.html
http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/CoopExt/LARIMER/millers.htm
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Here's a story I found on these pests :
It was icky
To the Editor:
They shouldn't drive me crazy, but they do. I say to myself ... I say, "Self, they weigh an eighth of a gram, and they don't bite. What's the big deal?"
I'm speaking of miller moths. They've been the scourge of my life for the last three weeks, or so. They're inconsequential bland little bugs, but as aggravating and nearly as annoying as any mosquito I've ever met.
Where did they come from? Someone said Kansas. And where are they going? That same someone said California. How do ditsy bugs like miller moths make it from anywhere to anywhere?
I lift the hood to my truck, and a miller moth flies out. I clean under my tablecloth, and a miller moth flies out. Rest period is over, boys, the highway's that way, not up every crack, behind every houseplant, and under every piece of dirty laundry I own.
I try to ignore them, but it's hard. One flittered in my mouth the other night. Yeah, it was icky.
And why do they always wait until I'm driving before they show their miller moth faces? I almost got in a miller moth wreck last Tuesday as I was trying to roll down my window and shoo out an unwanted miller moth.
Is time the only thing that can stop them? Are we doomed to miller moth invasions year after year?
I know I won't miss the dive-bombing birds and the moth feasts they hold on only the busiest of intersections. Is there a psychedelic quality to miller moth meat? Do birds hallucinate on it?
And, what kind of perverse instinct is it to be mesmerized by my headlights? Are the miller moths as drugged out as the birds that eat them? Maybe it's some kind of Samurai bug honor code or something, to throw yourself at speeding illumination.
I know I'm a bit obsessed, but I ain't cleaning carcasses out of my shoplight 'till this invasion is over. What's the sense? Clean today, and 10 more sacrifice themselves tomorrow.
... It's nice to see you again Mr. Miller Moth. When are you leaving? I won't leave the light on.
-- Malcolm Allyn
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Thanks for the post Wrightwood. Good info. Well, I'm the new guy on the block, so be nice to me. Here's another update from central Linnet Rd. I've had similar moth experiences as most on this board. 2 days ago, I went up into the attic and covered every possible moth access I could find with duct tape. Other than two or three "hiders" (moths that have been hanging out inside for a few days that I haven't yet sucked into my vacuum cleaner), they are gone.
Plainolguy
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I finally when to Lowes and bought the old kind of sticky fly strips. Hung them from a light that I left on all night. Next morning all the moths were stuck to the strip..gross but better than be chasing them around with the vacuum cleaner.
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I can't take it anymore! Two moths have somehow managed to work their way into the digital clock on my oven. Gross!
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2 days ago, I went up into the attic and covered every possible moth access I could find with duct tape. Other than two or three "hiders" (moths that have been hanging out inside for a few days that I haven't yet sucked into my vacuum cleaner), they are gone.
I'm thinking of trying that, as I think the moths are getting into the attic from the outside and then into the house through the gap where the support beam in the living room enters the attic. The problem is that I saw a hornet enter through a hole left by a knot in the wood under the eaves. So maybe I'll find more than moths in the attic!
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Okay - I'm finding this WEIRD...did any one else notice the moths were, uh, kinda gone?
We've been harvesting several hundred a day for the last week (thanks for the water and desklamp hint) and since I'm a late-night freak, I've seen thousands more on my window trying to Houdini through my glass toward the light in my house. And suddenly - tonite - SILENCE. A few straw flitters here and there, but the window is clear, my airspace is clear...is the invasion over?
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I have a big ol' Stinger Zapper hanging in the garage, it rocks. And having 7 cats
has helped. They are still around in minimal troops though...by now I must of killed thousands. 2 fly swatters at all times. I just love the way they fly straight into your face when your getting ready to murder them.
I guess I will need to fill those holes where the sun shines in out in my garage
loft, Lord knows, that is where they are coming in at... Thank God for Zappers!
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All I hope is that I don't get sued by the Hichcock estate when I start shoping my screenplay around Hollywood....
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My wife just bought one of those "Hot Shot" strips last night and I can't believe it , they work. Iwas using those stick fly strips. Eh.
With the Hot shot, I came home late last night and 90% of the 30 or so invading our territory, were, either dead or stumbling around dying.
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I think they're coming in through the chimneys.....we have an insert and the glass door keeps them from getting in the house, but the cat is having a blast.
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my airspace is clear...is the invasion over?
Thhheeeyyyy'rrrree baaaaccck. Drastic times call for drastic measures!
>:( ;D
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I thought I could get some relief and the invasion was over but I went into the bathroom last night and found about 100 of them. I finally broke out the vacuum and vacuum them up at 3 a.m. this morning. I found many hidden within the folds of the curtains (window and shower). I also found them in the gaps between then window and the frame. I also found about 10 hiding behind the clock :o.
I'm leaving the vacuum in there tonight.
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What is the life cycle of this pest? I'm am nearly crazy! We have had 1000's of them in our home! It is disgusting. It does smell bad, and it is messy too. We are supposed to have a party in our house this weekend, but I'm going to have to cancel because it is too horrible--our dirty little Wrightwood secret. HELP!!! For the first time in 16 years, I'm ready to leave Wrightwood.
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Hard to believe but I think their finally departing from the East side of town. We hardly had any last night.
Or am I just lucky ;)
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Hard to believe but I think their finally departing from the East side of town. We hardly had any last night.
Or am I just lucky ;)
Look in all the folds of the curtains, in the little spaces between the window and the frame, behind pictures, behind clocks, behind clothes hanging on hooks, behind the refrigerator, behind ANYTHING. I thought I got rid of them too but they're back for me, but I live on the west side of town.
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I live on the east side of town on Pinon mesa. We have the same problem while posting this a moth decided to join me and read what I was writing about it, it didn't like it so it few to the wall where I put it out of its misery. I've put a total of about 15 moths out of their misery. They're attracted to the light strip on the top shelf in my room.
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Same thing today, just about 4 and their gonners. BUT GUESS WHAT? I at work in Downey and yesterday they have finally arrived there. Get along little doggies. Maybe peace will come to the land finally.
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TRY THE NEW MOTHROWAVE DISPOSAL TECHNIQUE!
I discovered this by accident, and it works great. Turn every other light in the house off and leave your Microwave door open. In a few hours the inside will be filled with fluttering moths attracted to the light. Just shut the door. 10 seconds on high did the trick. Just took out the glass plate and dumpd thm in the trash. Sort of like the electro gun for termites.
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That is pretty gross, but at this point an excellent idea. I've also heard to shine a light on a pot of boiling oil works.
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Remind me to never warm anything up in Clint's microwave...
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Most of the moths have gone. But the Hot Shot strip seems to be working great.
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Artology,
What? You mean moths are not sterile? It's no different than cooking any ohther meat in there. :-X
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Even better... No harmones, no antibiotics and no perservatives. It's the other white meat!
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Are they having moth problems in Arrowhead and Big Bear, or is it just here in Wrightwood?
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I guess Wrightwood & Clint will have no food shortages in the near future. Just open up the freezer, take out a pound of moths, zap them in the microwave, and there's dinner! Tastes like chicken! [smiley=chef.gif]
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We went on vacation for three days. I left a sink full of sudsy water, and when we returned, the sink was FULL of dead moths... I guess they got thirsty.
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BUMP -
Someone asked about BB and Arrowhead - no answer. Is this moth thing just us or is it there too?
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Ensen would know. DOesn't he have a place in BB?
Ensen?
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The reason I asked about BB and Arrowhead is that my wife's coworker has a weekend place in BB and they reported no problems ... didn't know if it was a fluke or not.
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I'm already thinking ahead for spring, hoping there's no moth invasion, but preparing for the worst.
One reason I reason I think it was so bad at my place is that whenever the power comes back on after a power outage, the light on the ceiling fan turns on, regardless of whether it was on or off before the power outage. And, of course, the moths are attracted to the light.
The fan and light are both on remote control. Short of hard wiring a switch or turning it off at the breaker, is there anything that can be done?
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Try changing out the remote unit on the fan. Home Depot has a selection of units that fit most styles of fans. On most fans, the remote unit is an addon and thus can be replaced.
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Good suggestion. But I have a feeling that the remote is integral to this Hunter fan, as the remote came with the fan. Also the fan doesn't have a reverse switch because it's on the remote, and I haven't seen any aftermarket remote kits with reverse switches on them.
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Good suggestion. But I have a feeling that the remote is integral to this Hunter fan, as the remote came with the fan. Also the fan doesn't have a reverse switch because it's on the remote, and I haven't seen any aftermarket remote kits with reverse switches on them.
Take a look at this forum link below. It's not exactly your problem but it appears Hunter Fan responds to posted problems. Plus they give a tech support phone number and they claim to be available on Saturdays ;D
http://forum.doityourself.com/showthread.php?t=178406 (http://forum.doityourself.com/showthread.php?t=178406)
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Thanks for the link, Wrightwood.
Apparently all Hunter remotes are designed with "fan off, light on" behavior after a power outage. So I will have to go with a different brand remote. If anyone knows a brand of remote that does "fan off, light off" after a power outage let me know, thanks.
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i have the old fasion style fans with the pull chains none of that weird hi tech stuff... ::)
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I ended up "hard wiring" the light to a wall switch, so now it's set up the old fashioned way.
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I have lived in this house since August 1977. I do remember the winter of 77/78 as being one of the worst in memory - my hubby went onto the roof, to scrape off some of the snow, and he didn't even need a ladder to get there! But I don't ever remember a moth problem here, although I've heard horror stories.
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EGADZOOKS!!!
Maybe this should be in the "Whatever Happened To..." section!!!?
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I think they are back, just ran to jensons and there was a bunch around the porch light! they are so gross!
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I've been afraid to say anything. We've had a few during the past few weeks. Not hundreds or thousands like last year but enough to be concerned.
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Down here in orange county ive got tons of them ill bring some up there today when we come up... Cant leave the back door open any more or it will be a moth fest in here..
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I hate to bring this up.......but I had 6, yes 6 moths in my house last night. If this is a sign of things to come, we're moving for the month of JUNE!
I almost got committed from all of the snow shoveling....I don't think I can handle another month of moth battles........ ;D
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LOL
:bigcry: :sweatdrop:
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(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y37/klkah/Mothra.jpg)
Look what it did to me last year! Do you think I look a little on edge here or what? ;D
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We've also noticed increased moth activity in the past few days.
Last night I put out a try with soapy water and a light above it and had 10-12 dead moths this morning.
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The moths have seemed to backed off from a few weeks ago.
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Ive killed them all with my new handy bug Zapper :fa-devilwink: it is worth the $5
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=40122
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I hate to resurrect this topic, but Saturday night I had three moths inside the house flying around the wall light.....
Hope this year will not be a repeat of the invasion we had two years ago!
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Just in case they're back:
http://www.trygve.com/uemoth.html
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Ewwwwwww. I think it's a good time to start the diet.
I'm making sure the filter on my vacuum is cleaned out really well so I could use the hand tool device to suck up them pests.
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How do you keep thoes moths and bugs out of your homes? We have a heck of a time cooking or making anything at night because the bugs get in... Some come through the holes at the bottom of the windows where the rain is suppose to drain out of the window frame. Every time we open the door at night tons get in! Then we have the problem with the flies! We have fly traps in the bathroom, hall way, and in the utility room and its sick but it keeps them out of the kitchen! Is there some product that will keep them away? Help!
*Edit*
This is the cover under the light in the hood above the stove... It hasn't been long since it was cleaned
(http://files.upl.silentwhisper.net/upload4/yuckbug1.JPG)
This is of the fly trap in the hallway... It has been there for a few months.
(http://files.upl.silentwhisper.net/upload4/yuckbug2.jpg)
LETs EAT! :wink3:
Its nasty and I want them gone!
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My kids found this moth outside at our porchlight this morning. He's got a four inch wingspan. My husband took pictures of him and if the picture comes out I'll figure a way to post it but this image is from a website on Cecropia moths.
(http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/5479/spring.jpg)
I've looked at books and think that maybe it's a Cecropia Moth but one of the websites says that it's found EAST of the Rockies. Any moth experts out there?
http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/5479/
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It doesn't stop the moths from coming in, but we had great luck 2 years ago with leaving a small platic pan of water with dish soap in it under a clamp-on light. The moths all went for a swim. At least they were much easier to deal with.
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And clean too ;D
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We've noticed an increase in moths the last few days. Anyone else?
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Yes, I don't want to say it out loud ~ but a lot more than the the last few years
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We've noticed an increase in moths the last few days. Anyone else?
Just a couple, but we were doing some research on the yucca plant and it's edible flowers when I stumbled upon some info on the yucca-moth. I thought maybe when we have a huge blooming of yucca's that the moth population would increase. I was thinking maybe these guys were coming up from LPC. Then I google-imaged "yucca moth" and they are
white. So I can't blame the yucca after all.
(http://media-2.web.britannica.com/eb-media/96/8696-003-880CD787.gif)
Yucca Moth
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Yes, we have moths. Much worse than the last few years. I left a vacuum in the room to grab them off the tv.
What I found that is helpful is to put a clamp light over a bucket of water and turn off all the other lights. Do that at night and you'll wake up to some drowned moths. I probably found that hint here a few years back when we also had a really bad problem.
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If you have a sudden increase in the house, it may just be some food stuff you have in the cupboard or other grain like bird food. I've found the paper pheromone moth traps that they sell at HD and others work really well to keep them under control - the sooner you get the the fewer eggs laid, etc., etc.
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They were identified as Miller Moths last time around and they are the same moths this time.
It might be "MILLER TIME"
First indications from Dr. Laura Merrill is that the moths are called "miller moths".
Samples have been sent to Dr. Merrill for examination and will take a day or two. While waiting for the confirmation here are some important points about miller moths:
Why are they called miller moths?
Answer: Their wings are covered by fine scales that easily rub off. The scales reminded people of the dusty flour that covers the clothing of grain-mill operators.
Are miller moths harmful?
The caterpillar stage of the army cutworm is sometimes an important pest for crops in spring. However, the adult-miller stage is primarily a nuisance--albeit a considerable nuisance at times. Moths in the home do not feed or lay eggs. During the migratory flights, the moths do not produce or lay eggs. Furthermore, the caterpillar stage would not survive on household furnishings or other foods in the home.
Moths in the home will eventually either find a way outdoors or die. When large numbers do die in a home, there may be a small odor problem (due to the fat in their bodies turning rancid). Also, unless they are cleaned out, the old moths may serve as food for carpet beetles and other household scavengers.
Probably the greatest damage by millers is lost sleep, when they are flying about the room and the (needless) worry they may cause some harm.
Moths that have recently emerged from the pupa produce a reddish-brown fluid that often is deposited on windows, walls or other areas where the insect rests. This is called meconia and is the waste product stored during pupal development. Meconia is primarily proteinaceous and is usually not difficult to remove. Follow normal fabric-care instructions on clothing. Spray-and-wash type household cleaners can remove the spots from walls and other surfaces.
Here are some website links about miller moths:
http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/CoopExt/4DMG/Pests/millers.htm
http://www.abqtrib.com/archives/news03/060303_news_moths.shtml
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/tips-millers.html
http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/CoopExt/LARIMER/millers.htm
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Here we go again..... This topic is 20 years old.
The moths this year are horrible!
Colorado's yearly miller moth infestation; What are they and how to control
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZwBnnsvIbM
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I remember when they were bad here 20 years ago. Are they back here again or just in Colorado? So far I haven't noticed any around our house this year.
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We are having tons here every night.
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I haven’t noticed any either, thank goodness.