Adult Browntail Moth Treatment

Browntail moths are approaching the end of their life cycle, and will begin laying eggs in the next couple of months. As the moths reach adulthood, they no longer are carrying toxic hairs, and are  much easier to eradicate. However, the browntail moth caterpillar hairs can remain in the environment for three years and are still very toxic. This time is crucial in decreasing the browntail moth population in the Downeast. 

It is very important to take control over the moth population now because they are preparing to lay their eggs. Despite the adults not shedding toxic hairs anymore, these hairs still pose a threat to the community. Each browntail moth female can lay hundreds of eggs, and significantly increase the number of browntail moth caterpillars that will emerge the next year. 

The University of Maine conducted a study this past spring and concluded that browntail moth populations are still on the rise. Browntail moth outbreaks typically last seven to ten years and include abnormally high levels, and increased risk of exposure. This outbreak began in 2015, and is expected to continue at least the next couple of years. The outbreaks are traditionally controlled by the environment in this timeline, but there are many things people can do to end it sooner. Mainly, actively working to treat nests and eliminate adult browntail moths. 

A little known fact about adult browntail moths: they only fly at night. This makes it much easier to kill them during the day. The browntail moths flock to the sides of buildings during the day, and lights at night. In order to decrease the population, you can either pluck the moths individually off their resting surface, or use a broom or hose to mass remove them. Then you need to put the moths into a bucket of soapy water and allow them to soak for a few days. 

Despite the adult browntail moths not containing the same toxic hairs as the caterpillars, there is still a chance that the newly hatched browntail moths have leftover hairs on them. Therefore, it is important when removing the adults to use precautions including full coverage clothing and gloves, and a mask. If exposed, rash relief can be found quickly with Maine Made Relief’s Browntail Moth Rash Relief Spray. Our formula is all-natural and works to instantly improve browntail moth rashes.