Clothes Moths: What You Need to Know

Need to get rid of clothes moths? Read on to learn the answers to all of your important questions. Need help? Call our professionals today to get started.

What Are Clothes Moths?

Clothes moths are pests that feed exclusively on animal fibers like the ones that make up your sweaters and coats: wool, fur, silk, feathers, felt and leather. Clothes moths rarely feed on cotton or synthetic fabrics like polyester and rayon unless they are blended with one of the above materials or are heavily soiled with food stains or oils from your body. Clothes moths won’t do any damage to your home, but they can easily destroy valuables and hundreds of dollars worth of vulnerable materials.

Types of Clothes Moths

There are two different types of clothes moths that are common to North America: the webbing clothes moth, and the casemaking clothes moth. Adult webbing clothes moths are buff-colored all-over with a small tuft of reddish hairs on the top of its head. Casemaking clothes moths look similar except they have dark specks on their wings.

Identifying Clothes Moths

Clothes moths are about 1/2-inch long and are typically beige or buff-colored. They are winged insects with narrow wings that are fringed at the end with small hairs. Unlike other types of moths, you will rarely see a clothes moth because they actively avoid light. They prefer dark, undisturbed areas like closets, basements and attics. If you find something resembling a clothes moth in a well-lit area of your home like the kitchen, you are probably seeing grain moths that can infest stored food items in pantries such as cereals, dried fruit, nuts and other stored foods.

What Damage Do Clothes Moths Do?

For the health of your home, you should seek immediate help in getting rid of termites. Termite eradication is a job for trained professionals. A pest control expert can inspect your home and provide you with an estimate for remediation. Be prepared to replace any parts of your home that have been damaged by termites and be aware that most homeowner’s insurance policies don’t cover damage made by termites. That’s why you’ll want to find a pest control provider that guarantees their service and will inspect your home annually to make sure those pesky critters don’t come back.

How Can I Avoid Clothes Moths?

There are some insecticides and traps that can be employed as part of a larger strategy to eliminate clothes moths. The best method of pest control when it comes to clothes moths is prevention. Make sure that any clothes or outwear you own are clean and free of human oils and food stains by regularly having them dry cleaned or laundered. Proper storage of your valuable clothing is another great way to prevent the occurrence of clothes moths. If you suspect a clothes moth infestation, the best approach is always to consult a pest control specialist who can identify the problem and has the correct tools to eliminate any infestation completely.

When Should I Call Pest Control for Clothes Moths?

If you’re currently worried about a clothes moth situation in your home, don’t wait until the damage to your clothing has already been done.  

Call Pest Control Experts today to get a free quote and to schedule your home pest inspection as soon as possible!