Mothgeddon in the greenhouse

I have some beautiful solar lights strung up in the greenhouse which come on automatically at dark. This hadn't been a problem until I forgot to close the greenhouse. Every moth in the area is now in the greenhouse. I've deactivated the solar lights but what do I do now? I just see a million moth babies eating up all my precious plants. HELP!

One possibility - tonight put a light close to the ground about 15 ft from the door of the greenhouse and turn it on after dark, leaving the greenhouse door open? There's actually a world-wide drop in insect density, so letting these guys back out appeals to me.

Another possibility - put something sticky on a net-like thing and hang it around a single light in the greenhouse and see if the moths will get caught?

Less likely possibility - do you know anyone with a large fish tank and carnivorous fish? I've heard of people putting a light just above the surface of their fish tank and letting the fish reduce the bug population.

You don't *know* that the moths are interested in the plants in the greenhouse but I admit I'd worry about an excess of them. I've read that some moths pollinate the plants their young also consume, but that's in the wide open and greenhouses are usually too small to tolerate a huge and sudden influx of potential problems.

Jay Angler wrote:One possibility - tonight put a light close to the ground about 15 ft from the door of the greenhouse and turn it on after dark, leaving the greenhouse door open? There's actually a world-wide drop in insect density, so letting these guys back out appeals to me.

Another possibility - put something sticky on a net-like thing and hang it around a single light in the greenhouse and see if the moths will get caught?

Less likely possibility - do you know anyone with a large fish tank and carnivorous fish? I've heard of people putting a light just above the surface of their fish tank and letting the fish reduce the bug population.

You don't *know* that the moths are interested in the plants in the greenhouse but I admit I'd worry about an excess of them. I've read that some moths pollinate the plants their young also consume, but that's in the wide open and greenhouses are usually too small to tolerate a huge and sudden influx of potential problems.

I shall try to lure them out. We do catch and feed them to my sons snake but I don't think he can eat that many.

Do you happen to have any beehives stored in there? Beware the wax moths! They will make a huge mess of stored beehives.

Mike Barkley wrote:Do you happen to have any beehives stored in there? Beware the wax moths! They will make a huge mess of stored beehives.

I do not but I'll be googling wax moths now!

I agree with attracting them back out. Moths are easy to attract with lights. Make the outside light as bright as you can, and go out to the greenhouse and swoosh any you need to toward the door.

I'd mix up a vinegar wash. 3 tablespoons of any vinegar in a gallon of water... okay not balsamic it's too delish to waste! Spray your plants and any moths with it. Most bugs can't make it if you screw with their Ph.