A moth on a tree with its wings spread.

Moths can be as small as a pin or as large as a dinner plate. Their sense of smell can detect a potential mate from tens of miles away. Some varieties of moth are even important pollinators helping grow plants like yucca and wildflowers.

Despite all these cool facts, moths are also known as common pests. Consuming clothing, fiber, and stored products, they can wreak absolute havoc in the commercial properties they infest. Like all pest insects, it’s easier to appreciate how interesting moths can be from a comfortable distance. Ironically, the best way to maintain that distance is to learn a thing or two about moths in advance. We can help with that. Here’s what you should know about the clothes-eaters near you:

What are moths?

Moths are insects of the order Lepidoptera. There are hundreds of thousands of known species of moths worldwide, found on all continents except Antarctica. Most moths are known for two things: their nocturnal behavior and their neutral coloring. Not all moths follow these guidelines, of course, but the majority do. Other defining characteristics of most moths include two pairs of scaled wings, coiled proboscises, and relatively large compound eyes. The ones most commonly known for infesting homes and businesses are smaller, with a wingspan less than 2 cm on average. 

Which moths are most common in New York? 

There are over a thousand different species of moths found in New York alone. Different varieties thrive in different areas and parks. The ones most commonly encountered pest moths in New York City include:

 

 

Moth Exclusion Tips

There are a couple important things you can do to help prevent moth infestations:

Our last, and arguably our most important, tip is this: call the professionals. As soon as you suspect a moth problem, get in touch with the team at Assured Environments. They’ll know what to do to not only handle existing infestations, but prevent future ones as well.