Common moth in the apartment: how to get rid of it

Butterfly, or as it is also called "common moth", "drain fly" - belongs to the order of "dipteran" insects.

In another way, the butterfly is called "drain fly", since outwardly it resembles a fly. But, nevertheless, it has the features and some peculiarities in the structure inherent in moths. From reliable sources it is known that the butterfly is a close relative of the mosquito.

Length of insects: from 1 to 4 millimeters. The rest of the body is covered with fluff, including the wings. The color of the butterfly depends on the area of residence, but most often we come across silver and steel-colored butterfly bats.

These insects can be seen in any part of the globe, since their species is quite common. According to scientific data alone, about 28,867 species of butterfly bats are known. How many there really are is unknown.

A separate subspecies that deserves attention is the synanthropic species of butterfly bats. This is a special type of butterfly that loves damp rooms and lives in human habitats - apartments, houses.

Conditions for the appearance of a butterfly bat in an apartment

Common habitats of common butterfly flies in an apartment:

Bathroom or shower room where people wash themselves and do their laundry;
The basement or attic is like the most ideal moist habitat for them;
A sink in which to wash dishes and hands;
Cabinets, most often kitchen cabinets;
Damp walls;
Less often - under the refrigerator, where liquid can also accumulate.

They penetrate into apartments through wall cracks, floor cracks, and holes in sewer pipes. In spring and summer they can also penetrate through windows. It is not difficult to notice them, since they usually accumulate in large colonies.

How do they reproduce?

Females lay eggs in places where moisture accumulates. As a result, after a couple of weeks, larvae appear, which in turn, after two or three weeks, transform into small midges. After about two more weeks, they turn into adults, called butterflies.

How dangerous is the butterfly to humans?

The moth should not be confused with parasites that can cause obvious harm to humans or home interiors.

When they first encounter them, people think that they are something like moths, the larvae of which are capable of eating and gnawing anything. Food moths feed on human food supplies: sugar, cereals, etc. Not to mention the types of moths that chew on human clothing and furniture.

In contrast to them, the common butterfly:

does not pose a serious threat to human health;
does not cause any harm to the home interior: be it clothing or furniture;

But their accumulation can still cause irritation among people living in apartments and houses; they cause noticeable discomfort and anxiety in pets. In the end, their reproduction leads to unsanitary conditions, which in no case should be allowed if there are people with allergies, asthmatics, disabled people and small children at home.Therefore, it is necessary to take all measures to completely destroy them.

How to fight it?

In order to get rid of these "drain flies", it is extremely necessary to identify the cause of their appearance and create the most "uncomfortable" conditions for their residence.

Basic methods of control:

You should open all the windows and doors in the apartment. This is necessary in order to remove moisture and dampness from the room. It is necessary to completely "dry" it.
Thoroughly clean the windows, doors, walls, floors, ceiling, cabinets and other surfaces from accumulated dirt, dust, wet plaque. It is advisable to clean using chemical cleaning agents and products. One of the most effective means is considered to be "Whiteness". The use of these products will serve as a further obstacle to their reproduction.
Food products: salt, sugar, pepper, spices, cereals, etc. should be placed in closed plastic containers or jars. Although the moth does not pose a danger to food products, there is still a risk of finding it inside the products.
You can use special means against insects in the fight against them - "Dichlorvos", "Raid". Or chemical means - for example, any type of ammonia. The means should be sprayed around the room, and ammonia should be poured into all sources of accumulation of moths, adding a little hot water to it. But you should remember about caution: sprayers are poisonous, and ammonia should not get on the skin. After these procedures, you should thoroughly wash your hands and leave the house for several hours.
Special traps for insects are sold. For example, "Raptor" or "Aeroxon" are effective against insects.The principle of operation is simple: you need to open the package, peel off the front protective layer and attach the sticky side connected with glue in places where insects are particularly concentrated.
Toilets, sinks, bathtubs and all other places where water is drained should be thoroughly rinsed with bleach and doused with boiling water.
In addition, you can get rid of butterflies by installing protective nets on ventilation ducts and, in the summer, on windows.
To avoid the appearance of insects, it is advisable to install an “active ventilation” system, since it is more effective in confined spaces than standard ventilation shafts in houses.
To prevent moisture from accumulating, sealants are used to seal the joints of bathtubs, sinks, and shower stalls. In addition, molding is often used for framing. This is necessary to minimize water leakage.

Known folk methods:

You can clean the room using a vinegar solution. The most common methods: pour vinegar into a saucer and place it in the middle of the table; Pour half a glass of vinegar into a bucket of water and thoroughly wash the floor with this solution, and also wipe with it the possible habitats of “fluffy flies”.
Soak a rag in a solution of tar soap, wipe all surfaces with it and leave overnight. The next day, wash it. An equally reliable option is laundry or dust soap.
Take an orange and stick the clove spice into it. The resulting aroma can scare away butterflies and other insects.
Various dried citrus peels are often used. The main thing is to prevent them from rotting and change them on time.
Another “favorite” method among the people is hanging wormwood branches in each room of the apartment.This smell can repel insects for a long time, including the common moth.
Place walnut skins in the corners or on the table.

If the above methods do not help, in this case it is advisable to contact the housing office at your place of residence or call special services to combat insects.

No one is insured against the accumulation of moths and other insects in the apartment. Even in the cleanest houses and premises, they can appear at any time. But if you follow preventive measures, such as cleaning, airing the premises, they have no chance of survival in such conditions.