Clothes Moths

What Do Clothes Moths Look Like?

Clothes moths are small, inconspicuous moths that most people only notice when damage appears on fabrics. Their appearance varies slightly depending on the species, but here’s what the two most common types look like:

Webbing Clothes Moth (Tineola bisselliella)

• Size: 6–8 mm long (roughly the size of a small grain of rice)
• Color: Golden or straw-colored wings; shiny, uniform appearance
• Wing shape: Narrow, fringed edges; wings are folded over the body when at rest
• Other features: Tiny, tufted hairs on the head; adults are weak fliers
• Behavior: Usually avoid light and remain hidden in dark, undisturbed areas like closets or storage boxes

Case-Bearing Clothes Moth (Tinea pellionella)

• Size: Slightly smaller than webbing clothes moths, around 6–7 mm long
• Color: Light brown or tan wings with darker spots or speckles
• Wing shape: Narrow wings, also fringed, held roof-like over the body when at rest
• Other features: Larvae create portable silk cases they live in and carry around while feeding
• Behavior: Larvae feed hidden inside their silk cases, often attached to fabrics

Larvae (The Most Damaging Stage)

• Color: Creamy white or off-white with a brown head capsule
• Size: 1–12 mm depending on age
• Appearance: Soft-bodied, often with visible segments; sometimes seen with a silk web or case
• Damage: Larvae chew irregular holes in wool, silk, fur, and other keratin-rich materials

Key Identification Tips

• Adults are small, delicate, and avoid light; spotting them directly is rare
• Larvae and their silk cases, webbing, or frass are usually the first visible signs of infestation
• Damage is irregular holes or thinning areas in clothing or carpets rather than full-eaten sections

Where Are Clothes Moths Found?

Clothes moths are not outdoors pests in the usual sense—they prefer dark, undisturbed indoor environments where they can feed on natural fibers without disturbance. Here’s where you are most likely to find them:

Closets and Wardrobes

• Dark corners behind or under hanging clothes
• Especially where wool, silk, or fur garments are stored
• Areas with minimal movement or air circulation—moths avoid light and disturbance

Storage Areas

• Attics, basements, and storage boxes
• Unused suitcases or trunks containing natural-fiber clothing
• Fabric stored in cardboard boxes rather than sealed plastic containers

Furniture and Carpets

• Wool carpets, rugs, or upholstered furniture
• Under cushions, along edges, and under heavy furniture that is rarely moved
• Areas with dust or lint accumulation, as larvae often feed on these materials

Other Fabric Items

• Blankets, quilts, or down comforters
• Fur coats or hats
• Textile wall hangings or tapestries

Hidden or Overlooked Locations

• Cracks and crevices in baseboards or behind moldings
• Inside old pillows or stuffed toys made of natural fibers
• Dark corners behind bookshelves or rarely accessed cabinets

Key Factors That Attract Clothes Moths

• Natural fibers (keratin-rich materials) like wool, silk, fur, and feathers
• Dark, warm, and undisturbed areas
• Dust, lint, and animal hair, which provide additional food for larvae

Clothes moths rarely infest synthetic fabrics, and their adults avoid light, so infestations often go unnoticed until larvae damage is visible.

What Do Clothes Moths Eat?

Clothes moths primarily feed on natural fibers that contain keratin, a protein found in animal-derived materials. It’s the larval stage, not the adult moths, that does the actual feeding and causes damage:

Preferred Food Sources

• Wool – coats, sweaters, scarves, blankets, and rugs
• Silk – dresses, ties, and delicate garments
• Fur – coats, hats, and fur trims
• Feathers and down – pillows, comforters, and bedding
• Hair and animal fibers – including pet hair or hair found in textiles

Secondary Food Sources

• Dust and lint – often mixed with shed human or animal hair
• Stains containing protein – such as sweat, blood, food spills, or oils on clothing
• Occasionally plant fibers – if heavily soiled or blended with wool or silk

What They Do Not Eat

• Synthetic fibers like polyester, nylon, or acrylic (unless blended with natural fibers)
• Clean fabrics free of protein residues are less attractive

Feeding Behavior

• Larvae spin silk tunnels or cases in which they live while feeding
• They chew irregular holes in fabrics, often starting in hidden areas like seams, collars, or under folds
• Infestations are usually slow-moving, but damage accumulates over months

Clothes moths are harmful because they target high-value textiles made from natural fibers, and even small infestations can ruin clothing, upholstery, or bedding if left untreated.

Clothes Moth Life Cycle

Clothes moths have a complete metamorphosis life cycle consisting of four stages. Understanding each stage is essential for effective prevention and control:

Egg Stage

• Appearance: Tiny, oval, off-white eggs, about 0.5 mm in length
• Where laid: On natural-fiber materials such as wool, silk, fur, or feathers
• Quantity: Females can lay 40–50 eggs at a time, and up to 200–250 eggs in a lifetime
• Incubation period: 4–10 days under warm conditions (longer in cooler environments)

Larval Stage (Most Destructive)

• Appearance: Creamy-white or off-white, soft-bodied caterpillar-like larvae with a brown head
• Size: 1–12 mm depending on age
• Behavior: Larvae feed on keratin-containing fabrics and often spin silk webbing or cases for protection
• Duration: 1–6 months, but can extend up to 2 years in unfavorable conditions
• Damage: Chew irregular holes in clothing, carpets, upholstery, and other textiles

Pupal Stage

• Appearance: Encased in a silken cocoon attached to the feeding site or nearby hidden area
• Duration: 1–4 weeks, depending on temperature and humidity
• Function: Transformation stage where larvae become adults
• Note: Pupae are resistant to mild cleaning but vulnerable to heat or freezing

Adult Stage

• Appearance: Small, narrow-winged moths (golden or light brown, sometimes with spots)
• Feeding: Adults do not feed; their sole purpose is reproduction
• Lifespan: 2–4 weeks
• Reproduction: Females mate soon after emerging and lay eggs on nearby natural fibers

Reproductive Potential

• One female can produce up to 200+ eggs in her lifetime
• Multiple generations can occur per year in warm, undisturbed indoor environments
• Populations can explode quickly, especially in areas with abundant fabric or poor housekeeping

Clothes moths are most dangerous during the larval stage, which can last months and cause significant textile damage. Their high reproductive potential and ability to survive in hidden areas make infestations difficult to detect and eliminate without professional intervention.