Moth Night 2015 might be over, but there are still plenty of moths to see and you don't need a traditional moth trap to attract them.
The methods below are particularly good for attracting moths rarely seen in light-traps, such as the Red Underwing, Old Lady and Red Sword-grass.
There are a number of recipes out there to try, but here are the ones promoted by Atropos:
Sugaring
- 454g Tin of black treacle
- 1kg Brown sugar, (the darker the better)
- 500ml Brown ale (for the moths not you!)
- Paint brush
1. Slowly heat the ale in a large pan (do not boil) and simmer for five minutes.
2. Stir in and dissolve the sugar, followed by the treacle and then simmer for two minutes.
3. Allow to cool before decanting into a container.
A drop of rum stirred in just before use is recommended but not essential.
4. Paint the mixture at eye level onto tree trunks or fence posts just before dusk, being careful not to paint over mosses and lichens and check for moths by torch-light during the first two hours of darkness.
Wine Ropes
- Bottle of cheap red wine
- 1kg Sugar
- 1m Lengths of thick cord, light rope made from absorbent material. Strips of fabric or muslin can also be used.
1. Heat the wine (do not boil) and stir in and dissolve the sugar.
2. Allow to cool and soak the lengths of rope.
3. Drape the “wine ropes” over low branches, bushes or fences just before dusk and check for moths by torch-light during the first two hours of darkness.