How to Get Rid of Miller Moths With Kerosene
Miller moths are a harmless variety of moth that comes out during late spring and early summer; typically around May and June. Though they are not harmful to your health like flies, the miller moth lays eggs in foods like flours or oats, and they can quickly infest a home. The miller moth has other names, such as pantry moth and sod webworm. In the case of the webworm name, it generally refers to the moth during the larval phase. Getting rid of the moths when they've invaded a yard, is possible using a kerosene emulsion. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Kerosene
- Laundry soap
- Mixing spoon or churn
- Large container
- Spray bottle
Instructions
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1
Boil one gallon of water. Measure one pound of powdered laundry soap, and pour it into the boiling water. Mix until the soap is fully dissolved.
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2
Add ½ a gallon of kerosene to the soap and water mixture. Mix the kerosene in quickly with rapid stirring. According to Michigan State University, a butter churn is an appropriate tool for mixing, though any item like a large stirring spoon, will work as long as it mixes quickly. Keep stirring until the mixture looks creamy. This is a kerosene emulsion.
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3
Make a dilute of water and the emulsion in a spray bottle. Dilute with one part kerosene emulsion and 50 parts water. For example, if one teaspoon of kerosene emulsion is used, add one cup plus two teaspoons of water.
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4
Spray the dilute outside. The kerosene mixture is designed for miller moths that have infested an outdoor space, such as the yard, and are in the sod. Spray the entire infested area and the areas around it.
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Tips & Warnings
Make smaller batches of kerosene emulsion for small yards and spaces by halving the measurements until the amount is manageable for personal needs. For example, make a mixture that is half the amount by using half a gallon of water, half a pound of laundry soap and ¼ a gallon of kerosene.
Make the mixture in a well-ventilated area. Try to avoid breathing in the kerosene fumes.
Avoid using the mixture indoors or near foods. Though the mixture is relatively safe, compared to pesticide sprays that often do not work, kerosene is not healthy to ingest -- accidentally or otherwise.
