Symptoms
- Small, irregular holes in wool, cashmere, or other natural-fiber clothing
- Small tan or beige moths seen fluttering in closets, often disturbed when clothes are moved
- Silky webbing or tiny cocoon cases on fabric
Likely causes
- CommonClothes moth larvae feeding on wool, cashmere, silk, or furUnlike pantry moths, clothes moths specifically target natural animal fibers, sometimes including those mixed into blends.
- CommonUndisturbed, dark storage conditionsClothes moths prefer to feed and lay eggs on items that go untouched for long periods, like off-season storage.
- PossibleStains or soil on stored clothing attracting larvaePerspiration, food stains, or skin oils can make an item more attractive to feeding larvae.
What to do
- Remove all clothing from the closet and inspect carefully for holes, webbing, or larvae.
- Launder or dry clean all natural-fiber items before returning them, since cleaning kills eggs and larvae that heat or chemicals from cleaning can reach.
- Vacuum the closet thoroughly, including corners, shelves, and baseboards, then wipe down surfaces.
- Store vulnerable items in sealed garment bags or containers, especially for long-term or off-season storage.
- Use cedar blocks or moth-specific pheromone traps as an ongoing deterrent and monitoring tool, understanding they don't replace proper cleaning and storage.
- Avoid storing worn, unwashed clothing for long periods, since residue on fabric can attract moths.
- Call a pest control professional if the infestation is widespread across a closet or affects valuable items like a wool rug.
Tools and parts
- Vacuum
- Garment bags
Cedar blocksSearch: “cedar moth deterrent blocks”
Moth pheromone trapsSearch: “clothes moth pheromone traps”
When to call a pro
Call a pest control professional for a widespread infestation, especially one affecting a wool rug or valuable garments.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.