How to Get Rid of Clothes Moths
Found holes in your favorite sweater? Read on to learn if clothes moths are to blame — and what to do about them
Erin Carlyle
August 22, 2018
Former Houzz Editorial Staff. Writing about the cost of renovation and what it takes to remodel. Former Forbes real estate reporter. Fascinated by cool homes, watching the bottom line.
Former Houzz Editorial Staff. Writing about the cost of renovation and what it takes... More
If you haven’t yet experienced clothes moths in your home, count yourself lucky. These little critters feed on clothing and household textiles, and they can ruin many garments if not discovered and quickly controlled.
Here’s what you need to know to spot the signs of clothes moths as well as information on how fight an infestation and take steps to avoid one in the first place. Note to the squeamish: We’re also including some larger-than-life photos so you’ll know what they look like.
Here’s what you need to know to spot the signs of clothes moths as well as information on how fight an infestation and take steps to avoid one in the first place. Note to the squeamish: We’re also including some larger-than-life photos so you’ll know what they look like.
Photo by Ivy Dawned on Flickr
A webbing clothes moth (Tineola bisselliella). Photo by Ilia Ustyantsev on Flickr
A Quick Guide to Getting Rid of Clothes Moths
If you know you have clothes moths, follow the essential steps below to get rid of them. If you’re not sure yet if you have clothes moths, keep reading to learn how to spot them and identify signs of the damage they inflict.
The most common species of clothes moths in the U.S. are webbing clothes moths (Tineola bisselliella) and casemaking clothes moths (Tinea pellionella). Adults of both species have golden-colored wings and are just over one-quarter inch long. Webbing clothes moths have a tuft of reddish hair on their heads. Casemaking moths have dark spots on their wings. But both species flutter around so quickly, you may not be able to spot these identifying factors.
Clothes moths are known for feeding on wool clothing, but they’ll also consume synthetics or cotton blends that contain wool or other animal fibers (wool, silk, horsehair). In a pinch, they will eat other fabrics. They’ll attack blankets, comforters, pillows, drapes, carpets and rugs, upholstered furniture, animal bristles in brushes, wool felt pads in pianos and fish meal in fish food. They like to eat fur, feathers and dead insects.
Where Do Clothes Moths Come From?
Clothes moths are attracted to textiles soiled by food, sweat or urine, so by all means do everything you can to keep your clothing clean. But even with neat-as-a-pin habits, you can still get clothes moths. You’re particularly vulnerable when moving into a new home. If the previous occupants had clothes moths, the adult moths may have disappeared with the former owners, but it’s likely they left their eggs behind — and those eggs will eventually hatch. Or if you live in an apartment building and your neighbors have an infestation, it could spread into your space. Purchasing secondhand clothing or home textiles and not washing them could also put you at risk.
A Quick Guide to Getting Rid of Clothes Moths
If you know you have clothes moths, follow the essential steps below to get rid of them. If you’re not sure yet if you have clothes moths, keep reading to learn how to spot them and identify signs of the damage they inflict.
- Identify what the moths are eating. It could be your clothes, textiles like bedding and rugs or your furniture.
- Treat affected items. For clothing, the treatment options are washing in hot water, freezing and dry cleaning. If you’re worried that the moths have laid eggs throughout your closet (you can’t see them), you may decide you want to treat all your clothing. For bigger items like sofas or large rugs, you may need to call in a pest control company.
- Vacuum the affected area thoroughly to suck up any remaining eggs or moth larvae and to prevent future infestations. Immediately seal and dispose of the bag in an outdoor trash receptacle.
- Monitor your closet by thoroughly inspecting your clothing at least once a year. Make regular vacuuming a habit.
The most common species of clothes moths in the U.S. are webbing clothes moths (Tineola bisselliella) and casemaking clothes moths (Tinea pellionella). Adults of both species have golden-colored wings and are just over one-quarter inch long. Webbing clothes moths have a tuft of reddish hair on their heads. Casemaking moths have dark spots on their wings. But both species flutter around so quickly, you may not be able to spot these identifying factors.
Clothes moths are known for feeding on wool clothing, but they’ll also consume synthetics or cotton blends that contain wool or other animal fibers (wool, silk, horsehair). In a pinch, they will eat other fabrics. They’ll attack blankets, comforters, pillows, drapes, carpets and rugs, upholstered furniture, animal bristles in brushes, wool felt pads in pianos and fish meal in fish food. They like to eat fur, feathers and dead insects.
Where Do Clothes Moths Come From?
Clothes moths are attracted to textiles soiled by food, sweat or urine, so by all means do everything you can to keep your clothing clean. But even with neat-as-a-pin habits, you can still get clothes moths. You’re particularly vulnerable when moving into a new home. If the previous occupants had clothes moths, the adult moths may have disappeared with the former owners, but it’s likely they left their eggs behind — and those eggs will eventually hatch. Or if you live in an apartment building and your neighbors have an infestation, it could spread into your space. Purchasing secondhand clothing or home textiles and not washing them could also put you at risk.
Multiple life stages of the webbing clothes moth on wool: larva, pupa (resting stage) and adult. Photo from Clemson University, USDA Cooperative Extension Slide Series, Bugwood.org
How Do You Know if You Have Clothes Moths?
Clothes moths prefer to stay in dark places and hide when disturbed, so you may not discover that you have a clothes moths problem right away. But eventually you’ll either find unexplained holes in your clothing or see a moth.
Adult moths don’t damage your clothing; it’s their larvae that feed on garments. The larvae of webbing and casemaking clothes moths are nearly identical: about one-half inch long and white, with brown to black heads.
How Do You Know if You Have Clothes Moths?
Clothes moths prefer to stay in dark places and hide when disturbed, so you may not discover that you have a clothes moths problem right away. But eventually you’ll either find unexplained holes in your clothing or see a moth.
Adult moths don’t damage your clothing; it’s their larvae that feed on garments. The larvae of webbing and casemaking clothes moths are nearly identical: about one-half inch long and white, with brown to black heads.
Larva of a case-bearing clothes moth (Tinea pellionella). Photo by Patrick Clement on Flickr
Casemaking clothes moth larvae create and carry with them a feeding case that takes on the color of the clothes they have eaten. The larvae emerge from either side of the case to feed and then retreat into it to hide. Webbing clothes moth larvae (previous photo) don’t carry a case. Instead, they produce patches of silken webbing that carries bits of the fabric they feed on as well as their feces (often dyed the same color as the fabric they eat). When webbing clothes moth larvae move to a new feeding location, they leave their silken webbing behind, so you may find it on your clothing.
Casemaking clothes moth larvae create and carry with them a feeding case that takes on the color of the clothes they have eaten. The larvae emerge from either side of the case to feed and then retreat into it to hide. Webbing clothes moth larvae (previous photo) don’t carry a case. Instead, they produce patches of silken webbing that carries bits of the fabric they feed on as well as their feces (often dyed the same color as the fabric they eat). When webbing clothes moth larvae move to a new feeding location, they leave their silken webbing behind, so you may find it on your clothing.
Damage from a casemaking clothes moth. Photo from University of Georgia, Bugwood.org
It’s common to see clothes moth damage on hidden areas of clothing, such as beneath collars and cuffs or in carpeted areas underneath furniture. Or you may find blatant holes in your sweaters and shirts.
How Do You Get Rid of Clothes Moths?
1. Identify your insects. In addition to clothes moths, carpet beetles also feed on fabric, so your first step should be confirming what type of infestation you have. It’s a good idea to contact your local county extension office or state diagnostic lab to find out how to get a specimen from your home identified. There may be a fee (Cornell University in upstate New York charges $25), but the cost could well be worth it to avoid the unnecessary panic and hassle of a false identification. (Make sure you don’t squish your moth since that will make it hard to identify. Catch it in a pill bottle and put it in the freezer to kill it while preserving its appearance.)
Another option is to call a pest control professional, as there are many reputable firms out there that will identify your moths. However, with nearly 4,000 species of tiny moths alone (excluding the bigger ones) in the U.S., any pest control pro is bound to come across an unknown species at times. Unfortunately, there are some unethical firms that may say you have clothes moths — and take your money for treating them — when they may not be sure, warns Jason Dombroskie, coordinator of the Cornell University Insect Diagnostic Lab. He advises asking any pest management pro what happens when a moth can’t be identified. If the pro consults with the county extension office or state diagnostic lab, that’s a good sign, Dombroskie says.
2. Find out what the moths are eating. Moths are pretty slow eaters, so if you catch them early, they may be munching only on a single item of clothing. Check sweaters and other garments with woolen fabric first, but keep in mind that moths may also be attracted to other clothing, especially if it is stained or soiled. Look for silken tubes under collars and cuffs of your clothing and check for silken patches on fabrics.
Also look for evidence of grazing on materials, indicated by a furrow in the surface of the fabric — this furrow may look similar to a pulled thread — or for any outright holes in clothing. Once you find a garment that has been a food source, the next step is to carefully inspect nearby items for signs of further damage.
It’s common to see clothes moth damage on hidden areas of clothing, such as beneath collars and cuffs or in carpeted areas underneath furniture. Or you may find blatant holes in your sweaters and shirts.
How Do You Get Rid of Clothes Moths?
1. Identify your insects. In addition to clothes moths, carpet beetles also feed on fabric, so your first step should be confirming what type of infestation you have. It’s a good idea to contact your local county extension office or state diagnostic lab to find out how to get a specimen from your home identified. There may be a fee (Cornell University in upstate New York charges $25), but the cost could well be worth it to avoid the unnecessary panic and hassle of a false identification. (Make sure you don’t squish your moth since that will make it hard to identify. Catch it in a pill bottle and put it in the freezer to kill it while preserving its appearance.)
Another option is to call a pest control professional, as there are many reputable firms out there that will identify your moths. However, with nearly 4,000 species of tiny moths alone (excluding the bigger ones) in the U.S., any pest control pro is bound to come across an unknown species at times. Unfortunately, there are some unethical firms that may say you have clothes moths — and take your money for treating them — when they may not be sure, warns Jason Dombroskie, coordinator of the Cornell University Insect Diagnostic Lab. He advises asking any pest management pro what happens when a moth can’t be identified. If the pro consults with the county extension office or state diagnostic lab, that’s a good sign, Dombroskie says.
2. Find out what the moths are eating. Moths are pretty slow eaters, so if you catch them early, they may be munching only on a single item of clothing. Check sweaters and other garments with woolen fabric first, but keep in mind that moths may also be attracted to other clothing, especially if it is stained or soiled. Look for silken tubes under collars and cuffs of your clothing and check for silken patches on fabrics.
Also look for evidence of grazing on materials, indicated by a furrow in the surface of the fabric — this furrow may look similar to a pulled thread — or for any outright holes in clothing. Once you find a garment that has been a food source, the next step is to carefully inspect nearby items for signs of further damage.
3. Finally, treat (or throw away) moth-eaten items. If you want to keep an item that moths have clearly fed on or that you suspect they may have laid eggs on, the following three methods should kill adult moths, their larvae and eggs.
Wash clothes in hot water. Wash clothing for 20 to 30 minutes in water that is at least 120 degrees (typically the hot setting on your washing machine). Hot water can shrink or ruin some fabrics, so be sure you know what your fabric can handle before you toss it in the machine.
“Always read the care label,” says Sean Cormier, associate professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. “There are some washable wool products, but, generally speaking, the higher the washing temperature, the more there is a chance for excessive shrinkage. Other fabrics, such as cotton, also can have higher shrinkage if washed in hot water, and with some dye classes, you may have poor color fastness if washed in hot water.”
Dry-clean affected clothing. This is a good option for wool sweaters and delicate items. Dry cleaning — even methods dubbed “green” — involves either a strong solvent or heat, which wipes out all life stages of moths. Keep in mind that after dry cleaning, you may actually see more damage in your garments than you noticed before dry cleaning.
“The solvent is going to take out the weakened fibers — the fibers in the fabric that have been infested,” explains Alan Spielvogel of the National Cleaners Association, which includes the Green Cleaners Council. Spielvogel says you should also let your dry cleaner know of the infestation since it may affect the cleaning method the cleaner uses (and also because you don’t want your infestation to damage anything at the cleaner’s plant).
Freeze items. Moving a garment from a warm environment to one below freezing can also kill the various stages of moths. The key is to do so abruptly. Moving a sweater from your closet to your freezer and leaving it there for 72 hours should do the trick. However, placing that same sweater in a cool basement in the fall and waiting for temperatures to drop below freezing later that winter wouldn’t work because the temperature change would be too slow. Also, for this method to be effective, the temperature needs to be well below freezing; your freezer should be set at 0 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 18 degrees Celsius) or lower anyway, according to the FDA.
Finally, clean and monitor. Thoroughly clean and continue to monitor any areas where you’ve discovered evidence of moths. Follow the preventive measures below to do so.
Wash clothes in hot water. Wash clothing for 20 to 30 minutes in water that is at least 120 degrees (typically the hot setting on your washing machine). Hot water can shrink or ruin some fabrics, so be sure you know what your fabric can handle before you toss it in the machine.
“Always read the care label,” says Sean Cormier, associate professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. “There are some washable wool products, but, generally speaking, the higher the washing temperature, the more there is a chance for excessive shrinkage. Other fabrics, such as cotton, also can have higher shrinkage if washed in hot water, and with some dye classes, you may have poor color fastness if washed in hot water.”
Dry-clean affected clothing. This is a good option for wool sweaters and delicate items. Dry cleaning — even methods dubbed “green” — involves either a strong solvent or heat, which wipes out all life stages of moths. Keep in mind that after dry cleaning, you may actually see more damage in your garments than you noticed before dry cleaning.
“The solvent is going to take out the weakened fibers — the fibers in the fabric that have been infested,” explains Alan Spielvogel of the National Cleaners Association, which includes the Green Cleaners Council. Spielvogel says you should also let your dry cleaner know of the infestation since it may affect the cleaning method the cleaner uses (and also because you don’t want your infestation to damage anything at the cleaner’s plant).
Freeze items. Moving a garment from a warm environment to one below freezing can also kill the various stages of moths. The key is to do so abruptly. Moving a sweater from your closet to your freezer and leaving it there for 72 hours should do the trick. However, placing that same sweater in a cool basement in the fall and waiting for temperatures to drop below freezing later that winter wouldn’t work because the temperature change would be too slow. Also, for this method to be effective, the temperature needs to be well below freezing; your freezer should be set at 0 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 18 degrees Celsius) or lower anyway, according to the FDA.
Finally, clean and monitor. Thoroughly clean and continue to monitor any areas where you’ve discovered evidence of moths. Follow the preventive measures below to do so.
How to Prevent Moths From Eating Your Clothes
Monitor your clothing. The Insect Diagnostic Laboratory at Cornell recommends that you remove all items of clothing from drawers and closets and inspect them carefully at least once a year. And, of course, keep all your garments clean.
Vacuum regularly and thoroughly. As part of your annual inspection of your clothes, thoroughly vacuum inside dressers, in the crevices of shelves, along baseboards and in your closet. Get an edge tool for reaching corners.
Make regular vacuuming part of your routine. Don’t forget under beds and sofas and along baseboards, as these spots can accumulate lint that larvae might feed on. Also regularly vacuum pet bedding, cracks and crevices in floors, and areas inside and behind heaters, furnace air ducts and vents. After you vacuum, be sure to empty the bag since it may contain moth eggs or larvae.
Consider traps. Pheromone traps attract and trap adult male webbing clothes moths (though not the casemaking ones). Traps won’t control a population since it takes only one male moth to mate with all the females. But they can be a good alert system.
Battle humidity. The greater the humidity level in your home, the more insects can survive in it. If you live in a damp climate like the Pacific Northwest or humid Gulf Coast, running a dehumidifier where clothes are stored may be a good idea.
Store clean garments in airtight containers. Thoroughly clean your garments before putting them away in airtight containers for the season. Plastic bags should seal tightly and have no holes. Plastic storage containers should have tight-fitting lids with all seams sealed shut with strong tape.
Consider using mothballs. Mothballs contain paradichlorobenzene (PBD) and napthalene crystals, which off-gas toxic vapors. However, for protecting items of high value, mothballs may be a good idea as long as containers they’re stored in remain airtight. Just be sure that after removing your clothing from storage with mothballs, you air it out and then wash or dry-clean it to get rid of the chemicals and the mothball smell.
Don’t rely on cedar or lavender. Cedar chests are good pest-proof containers primarily because of their tight construction, not because they may release cedar oil, a fact sheet from the Cornell Insect Diagnostic Laboratory explains. While cedar oil can kill young larvae, it may not be effective with older ones. Also, as the wood ages, the cedar oil is not as potent. While herbal oils (such as lavender) are touted as repellents, little is known about their effectiveness, according to the University of California’s statewide Integrated Pest Management Program.
When Do You Need to Call a Pest Management Company?
The decision about whether and when to call in a pest management company will likely depend on your circumstances. Certainly, you may be able to handle an infestation yourself. But Spielvogel of the dry cleaners association recommends calling in a pro in most circumstances. Cindy Mannes, vice president of public affairs at the National Pest Management Association, advises homeowners to call in a pro when they are unable to identify where the problem is coming from or what to do about it. Pros may also be more effective in dealing with infestations of larger rugs and carpets as well as sofas and other furniture.
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Monitor your clothing. The Insect Diagnostic Laboratory at Cornell recommends that you remove all items of clothing from drawers and closets and inspect them carefully at least once a year. And, of course, keep all your garments clean.
Vacuum regularly and thoroughly. As part of your annual inspection of your clothes, thoroughly vacuum inside dressers, in the crevices of shelves, along baseboards and in your closet. Get an edge tool for reaching corners.
Make regular vacuuming part of your routine. Don’t forget under beds and sofas and along baseboards, as these spots can accumulate lint that larvae might feed on. Also regularly vacuum pet bedding, cracks and crevices in floors, and areas inside and behind heaters, furnace air ducts and vents. After you vacuum, be sure to empty the bag since it may contain moth eggs or larvae.
Consider traps. Pheromone traps attract and trap adult male webbing clothes moths (though not the casemaking ones). Traps won’t control a population since it takes only one male moth to mate with all the females. But they can be a good alert system.
Battle humidity. The greater the humidity level in your home, the more insects can survive in it. If you live in a damp climate like the Pacific Northwest or humid Gulf Coast, running a dehumidifier where clothes are stored may be a good idea.
Store clean garments in airtight containers. Thoroughly clean your garments before putting them away in airtight containers for the season. Plastic bags should seal tightly and have no holes. Plastic storage containers should have tight-fitting lids with all seams sealed shut with strong tape.
Consider using mothballs. Mothballs contain paradichlorobenzene (PBD) and napthalene crystals, which off-gas toxic vapors. However, for protecting items of high value, mothballs may be a good idea as long as containers they’re stored in remain airtight. Just be sure that after removing your clothing from storage with mothballs, you air it out and then wash or dry-clean it to get rid of the chemicals and the mothball smell.
Don’t rely on cedar or lavender. Cedar chests are good pest-proof containers primarily because of their tight construction, not because they may release cedar oil, a fact sheet from the Cornell Insect Diagnostic Laboratory explains. While cedar oil can kill young larvae, it may not be effective with older ones. Also, as the wood ages, the cedar oil is not as potent. While herbal oils (such as lavender) are touted as repellents, little is known about their effectiveness, according to the University of California’s statewide Integrated Pest Management Program.
When Do You Need to Call a Pest Management Company?
The decision about whether and when to call in a pest management company will likely depend on your circumstances. Certainly, you may be able to handle an infestation yourself. But Spielvogel of the dry cleaners association recommends calling in a pro in most circumstances. Cindy Mannes, vice president of public affairs at the National Pest Management Association, advises homeowners to call in a pro when they are unable to identify where the problem is coming from or what to do about it. Pros may also be more effective in dealing with infestations of larger rugs and carpets as well as sofas and other furniture.
More
How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes Indoors and Out
How to Get Rid of Gnats Around the House
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I came up with a laborious but effective way to get rid of my severe moth problem. On a hot summer day in New England, a closed car can reach temps upwards of 130 degrees F. During a heatwave I bagged ALL of my clothes and bedding, including shoes and socks, handbags coats- everything made of any kind of fabric, in black contractor bags or travel bags and put them in the tightly closed car in the morning. The next day I unpacked bags, one by one, outdoors, giving each item a good shake and put them directly in the washing machine as I brought them in. Once dry I bagged them in moth proof breathable bags readily available on-line. The rest of the day I spent cleaning like a maniac, vacuuming and dusting under, behind and on top of everything. I mean everything. I removed all items from every closet and vacuumed and wiped down all surfaces. Finally I put a fresh moth trap in every room. They only collect the males but the fewer of them, the fewer fertilized females. Took a full weekend plus one vacation day. Obviously one needs to be prepared, (have mothproof storage bags), have the right temperature conditions and, of course, time and energy. Exhausting but totally worth it. Going on 8 months totally moth free. Extra benefit: major purge. Got rid of bag-loads of stuff no longer used or expired.
I have found a small brown moth with a white stripe across its wings...is that a clothes moth? It doesn’t look like the pictures above...
The article states that pheromone traps only work with webbing clothes moths, but there are some that work for both types at the same time. Unfortunately I can personally attest to this, as we have both types of moths at the same time, and the traps have attracted them both.