What Do the Clothes-Eating Moths Look Like?

Are you tired of finding holes in your clothes, but not knowing what creature is causing the damage? Chances are, you might have clothes-eating moths in your closet. In this article, we’ll uncover what these moths look like, how to identify them, and how to prevent them from ruining your favorite garments.

What Are Clothes-Eating Moths?

Clothes-eating moths, also known as webbing clothes moths, are a type of moth that feeds on natural fibers such as wool, silk, and cotton. These moths are smaller than regular house moths, with a wingspan of only half an inch. These moths do not damage synthetic or artificial fibers, so if you are finding holes in your polyester or rayon clothes, it’s not likely to be caused by these insects.

What Do Clothes-Eating Moths Look Like?

The adult clothes-eating moth has a distinct appearance that can help you identify them. They have a small, narrow wingspan of only 1/2 inch and are beige, tan or buff-colored. They are covered in tiny spiky hairs that give them a fuzzy appearance. The most noticeable feature is their larvae which are white in color and measure around 1/2 inch in length. You cannot always spot adult moths with the naked eye as they avoid bright light and fly in a jerky pattern, so they may remain hidden for some time.

Identification of Clothes-Eating Moth Larvae

The larvae of clothes-eating moths are what cause the damage to clothes. They are small, whitish with brown heads and are around 1/2 inch in length. They do not have legs, wings, and antennae like adult moths. They are instead covered in hair and have a beige hue. You can easily identify them by their trail of tiny silk-like fibers they leave while feeding on your clothes. The larvae are responsible for creating moth holes in clothes.

Identification of Clothes-Eating Moth Pupae

The pupal stage certain types of moths must undergo in order to mature to their adult form generally occurs in a loose web of the same fibers the larvae produce. This is a characteristic sign that clothes moths are present. They are small, oval-shaped, and shrouded in web-like materials produced by the larvae.

What Do Clothes-Eating Moth Eggs Look Like?

The eggs of a clothes moth are incredibly hard to spot with the naked eye. They are oval-shaped, tiny, and are usually a creamy or white color. They are often hidden on clothes, within the folded parts of linen, and in drawers or cupboards, making it challenging to detect them. It’s also challenging to distinguish them from other similarly tiny insect eggs. It’s important to note that clothes moth larvae emerge from eggs, and it’s the larvae that create the damage to garments, cloth, and other fabrics.

What Are Some Signs of Clothes-Eating Moths in My Closet?

It’s easy to tell when you have a clothes-moth infestation in your closet after seeing holes in your favorite garments, but there are other warning signs you should look out for:

  • Presence of clothes moth larvae in your closet, particularly if you notice larvae webbing or tunnels produced by them as they move around
  • Adult moths flying around or resting on the walls, ceilings or shelves of your closet or garment areas
  • Larvae skins or dead adult moths in your closet, which indicate the presence of these insects
  • Small piles of sand-like waste material or frass, which are produced by the clothes moth larvae as they feed on your clothes. This waste is small, but you should keep an eye out for areas where accumulation begins to take shape.

How Can I Prevent Clothes-Eating Moths from Destroying My clothes?

Here are some of the ways you can prevent clothes-eating moths from damaging your garments:

Regular Cleaning

Vacuuming regularly can be an effective way to prevent clothes moth infestations. You should focus on spots where the larvae tend to hide, such as the corners of your closet, shelves, and drawers. Thoroughly clean your wardrobe from time to time, and pack seasonal clothes neatly after laundering and ensuring they are entirely dry. Airing clothes also discourages these creatures as they need to live in humid habitats.

Useful Wardrobe Tips

Don’t hang clothes in a tight closet, leave some room for air circulation. Ideally, bags or containers that can be well-sealed are prefered to store clothes. Also, try to store natural fiber clothing and accessories, e.g jewelry or scarfs, in a tightly sealed container, bag or chest as this makes it harder for clothes moths to gain access. Cedar blocks, balls or chips are known to deter moths naturally. You can also use aromatic oils such as lavender or cedar to protect your clothes.

Use of Clothes Moth Traps

You can use traps as an effective way to monitor and trap clothes-eating moths. The traps have a pheromone scent that attracts male moths, which allows them to stick to a glue-based surface, thereby reducing their chances of mating and reproducing.

Fumigation and Insecticides

If an infestation has occurred, you may need to seek professional help. Fumigation and use of insecticides administered by expert pest control technicians are effective methods for the control and prevention of clothes-eating moths. However, be cautious when using insecticides and fumigation yourself. A lot of insecticides may harm human beings and pets if not used accurately.

Conclusion

Clothes-eating moths can cause significant damage to your clothes and other fabrics made from natural fibers, such as wool and cotton fabrics. Knowing what clothes-eating moths look like and knowing how to identify signs of an infestation will help you take proactive measures to prevent damage to your clothes. Regular cleaning, use of wardrobe tips, use of clothes moth traps, and fumigation are all methods that can help you prevent clothes-eating moths from damaging your favorite clothes.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the lifespan of clothes-eating moths?
  • Adult webbing clothes moths have a lifespan of two to four weeks. During that time, they mate, and the females lay eggs. Clothes moth larvae feed for two to three months before pupating and then emerging as adult moths. Depending on factors like temperature and humidity, the entire lifecycle can range from 30-300 days.

  • Can clothes moths fly?
  • Yes, clothes moths can fly even though it may appear jerky, fluttery and hesitant. They are known to avoid bright light hence why they are more likely to be active in the dark.

  • What causes damage to the clothes while the clothes-eating moths target natural fibers?
  • The clothes-eating moths destroy clothes during the larval stage. The larvae eat and digest the fibers of the fabric they are feeding on, causing holes and other types of damage.

  • What should you do if you find clothes-eating moths in your closet?
  • The ideal first step is to remove every garment outside and check carefully for moth larvae, dust, dead insects, or cocoons in seams, pockets or behind buttons. Vacuum thoroughly and dispose of the vacuum bag immediately. Soak the items in hot water (60-65°Celsius) for an hour or more, allowing them to dry completely, preferably in the sun. Discard any destroyed or badly infested items and use one or all the prevention measures outlined above to keep your clothes moth free.

References:

  • https://www.hunker.com/13421226/how-to-identify-a-clothes-moth
  • https://www.thespruce.com/clothes-moths-3126390#:~:text=Adult%20clothes%20moths%20are%20generally,than%20the%20other%20common%20clothes
  • https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/tips/a28406181/moth-holes-in-clothes/
  • https://entomology.unl.edu/clothes-moths
  • https://www.domyown.com/webbing-clothes-moths-identification-and-control-a-524.html

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