The Amazing Replicating Moth?
Location: Washington DC
March 24, 2012 8:45 am
Dear WTB,
So, this particular creature population has been living with us for quite some time- since last summer. At first, they were not much of a problem and we didn’t mind coexisting (especially considering our battle at the time with fungus moths in our plants- ARG!) Anyway, things have gotten way out of control with these little moth-like bugs. Hundreds populate our home on a daily basis. Regardless of whether I decide to kill a bunch or not, they do not seem to live very long to begin with, but always return in greater numbers. I am hesitant to call the exterminator because they charge such ridiculous rates just for a basic assessment. In my searching on the internet, people insist that they are cupboard moths, but they don’t look like them and do not reside in our cupboards at all. They can be found all over the windows, wall and by lights. Our neighbors don’t seem to have them. Do you have any pointers for helping me to understand what they are, how to find the source and take care of them? Thanks.
Signature: Travis
Bathroom Fly
Hi Travis,
The Bathroom Fly is a common household pest that belongs to the family of Moth Flies, hence your confusion as to its identity. Indoors Bathroom Flies breed in the sludge that accumulates in drains, and that is where the larvae can be found. Exterminating the adults will not help with your problem. You need to get to the larvae. Pouring chlorine bleach down the drains once a week may help.
Daniel,
You are nothing short of amazing! Thank you sooooo much. I will give your idea a shot and let you know of our progress. My only question is whether is is more likely that the moths are coming from a drain outside or are they originating from indoor clogged drains? If outside, I am at a loss. However, they seem to be outside the house often enough. More often inside though, I must admit. Thanks for your thoughts. Bleach in the drains tomorrow and we’ll see.
Thanks, Travis
Chlorine bleach?!
March 27, 2012 7:39 am
Daniel:
Advocating the use of chlorine bleach is to my mind akin to Unneccesary Carnage of the environment. Chlorine is bad stuff. I wonder if there are less harmful ways to deal with Bathroom Flies? Thanks, Dave Fallow
Signature: Dave Fallow
Thanks Dave,
Many products that we use on a daily basis, including ones to clean our homes, its furnishings and even ourselves, are harmful to the environment, and moderation in our habits is about the best that we can hope to do at this point since so much damage has already been done to this fragile planet. Perhaps a better response would have been that the Bathroom Flies, though a nuisance, are basically harmless.
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