How to Catch a Moth

Dull brown moths sometimes show colorful underwings if you look at them closely.

A moth flying inside in the evening may be alarming, mildly irritating or interesting, depending on your view of moths. Kindhearted people may want to rescue the panicked moth and some, especially children, might want to look at it close up, perhaps to identify it. Catching a moth is much easier if you have a net, but is possible with just a tumbler and a piece of stiff paper.

Things You'll Need

• Tumbler, plastic tub or mug
• Sheet of card or stiff paper
• Aquarium or butterfly net

Instructions

1. Close doors leading to the room the moth is in, but leave the window open. The moth might fly outside again by itself.

2. Watch the moth until it gives up flying in a disoriented panic around light fittings and alights on a wall.

3. Approach the moth, not letting your shadow fall on it, and quickly place the tumbler over it.

4. Slide the piece of card carefully underneath the tumbler to trap the moth in the glass.

5. Hold the card and tumbler together, take the moth outside and release it.

Tips & Warnings

• If the moth doesn't alight or is out of reach, turn off all the lights and open any windows or doors leading outside. Because of natural moonlight or street lights, the outside will now be much brighter than inside, and the moth, which directs itself by light, should fly outside.

• An aquarium or butterfly net makes it simple to catch a still moth and possible to catch one that is flying. Quickly pull the net over it and either fold the net over to trap the moth or cover the opening with card.

• Trapping moths on a large scale, for study or pest control, requires more specialized equipment such as light-based moth traps.

• If you don't want to damage the moth, don't try and catch it in your hands. Moths are fragile. Also, don't catch moths and release them in the morning. Night-flying moths are liable to be eaten by birds if you release them in the daylight.

References

• Amateur Entomologists' Society: Entomological Equipment
• The Children's Butterfly Site: How Can I Catch a Butterfly or Moth?