Clothes Moth — Identification & Control

Clothes moths are small, straw-colored moths that behave very differently from the moths most people picture — they avoid light almost entirely, fly poorly and briefly, and are most often noticed resting on a wall near a closet rather than fluttering around a porch light. That light-avoidance is exactly why infestations take hold undisturbed in the back of closets, folded stacks of sweaters, under furniture, and inside rarely-opened storage boxes and attics.

Adult clothes moths do not feed at all; every bit of fabric damage comes from the larvae, small cream-white caterpillars that spin silk feeding tubes or patches as they chew through wool, cashmere, silk, fur, feathers, and felt. They are specifically drawn to fibers soiled with body oils, sweat, or food stains, which is one reason infestations often start in worn-but-unwashed items placed into storage. Left unchecked, an infestation can seriously damage heirloom clothing, rugs, and even taxidermy.