‘Every moth is precious’: why are there so many bogong moths, and how can you safely remove them from your home?
News Source
•Tue, 29 Sep 2026 15:00:56 GMT
📰 What Happened
Swarms of bogong moths are flying over parts of New South Wales. The moths travel up to 1,000 km to cool caves in the Australian Alps to escape the summer heat.
Sightings have risen over the last two years. In a report on 30 September 2026, experts said this September already beat all of 2025 for reports to the citizen science group Moth Tracker.
🔍 The Backstory
Bogong numbers dropped by up to 99.5% between 2017 and 2019. Wetter and cooler weather is thought to be behind the recent comeback.
Bogongs are an important food source for wildlife, and were once an important food for Aboriginal people in the Alps. Experts say people can safely catch and release any moths found inside their homes.
🎯 Why It Matters
The moth surge shows how weather changes can quickly affect native wildlife. It also gives people simple tips for handling moths at home.
Swarms of bogong moths are flying over parts of New South Wales. The moths travel up to 1,000 km to cool caves in the Australian Alps to escape the summer heat.
Sightings have risen over the last two years. In a report on 30 September 2026, experts said this September already beat all of 2025 for reports to the citizen science group Moth Tracker.
Bogong numbers dropped by up to 99.5% between 2017 and 2019. Wetter and cooler weather is thought to be behind the recent comeback.
Bogongs are an important food source for wildlife, and were once an important food for Aboriginal people in the Alps. Experts say people can safely catch and release any moths found inside their homes.
The moth surge shows how weather changes can quickly affect native wildlife. It also gives people simple tips for handling moths at home.