A computer-implemented method is provided for reducing network traffic associated with live migration. The method comprises selecting a virtual machine on a first physical host for migration to a second physical host, and providing each application running in the selected virtual machine with notification that the migration has started. In response to receiving the notification that the migration has started, each application reducing the number of memory pages in use during the migration. The selected virtual machine and each application is then migrated from the first physical host to the second physical host, wherein the migration of each application includes migration of the reduced number of memory pages. Non-limiting examples of methods that may be used to reduce the number of memory pages includes identifying memory that contains garbage, reducing the size of the heap, increasing the pause time used for garbage collection, deferring just-in-time compilation of hot methods, and releasing caches and buffers.