How to get rid of clothes moths

If a favourite sweater, armchair or precious family heirloom has ever been devoured by moths, you'll be only too aware how much damage these tiny creatures can cause.

Although there are in excess of 2,500 species of moths in Britain, just two are largely responsible for this spoilage.

Read our guide to find out what to do if 'clothes moths' have found you, including the best household appliances you can use to tackle the problem.

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What kind of moths cause problems?

Common clothes moth (Tineola bisselliella)

Also known as 'webbing clothes moths', the adults are around 5-8cm long, with a pale silvery-gold appearance and a slightly darker head.

They lay tiny eggs in sheltered places, such as fabric seams, and these develop into larvae that grow inside the silky cocoons (pupae) you'll typically see on the fabric they're feasting on (and damaging in the process).

Signs of infestation include silky tubes the same colour as the fabric they're attached to, plus dense cobweb-like webbing (especially if they are clustered together), as well as small irregular holes or threadbare patches left by surface grazing.

Case-bearing clothes moth (Tinea pellionella)

Adult moths measure around 7mm in length and are pale silvery grey-brown with dark spots.

Their larvae also live in silky pupal cases but, unlike common clothes moth larvae, these tend to be open-ended so they can pop their heads out to feed. They also don't tend to create webbing to fix themselves to the fabric.

As well as holes or bare patches in fabric, signs of infestation include the presence of pupal cases which look like grains of rice but, unlike those of the common clothes moth, aren't covered in webbing.

Pale-backed clothes moth (Monopsis crocicapitella)

The English Heritage Operation Clothes Moth survey in 2017 asked members of the public to put pheromone moth traps in their homes and it revealed a greater incidence of this moth than they expected to see.

However, the organisation says it's not yet clear whether this species is capable of becoming established in buildings or will harm home furnishings.

'Secondary' clothes moth species

There are several other 'secondary' clothes moths that have been found to be active in the UK, although these currently cause less damage compared with traditional clothes moths.

The larvae of the brown house moth (Hofmannophila pseudospretella) is attracted to animal-based items such as feathers, fur and leather.

White-shouldered house moth (Endrosis sarcitrella) larvae also eat clothes but they eat plenty of other things, too.

How do clothes moths get into your home?

Natalie Bungay, technical and compliance manager at the British Pest Control Association, says: 'Moths often hitch a ride on second-hand clothes, rugs or fabrics that are already infested. Antique or vintage textiles are common culprits.'

Adult moths can occasionally fly in through windows or doors, especially in warmer months, although this is less common.

Clothes moths prefer dark, undisturbed areas, which is why infestations typically originate in storage boxes, cupboards, or wardrobes in attics or basements. Case bearing moth infestations can start in birds' nests so it's worth checking unused chimneys too.

Adult moths don't cause damage themselves but they lay the eggs that turn into the larvae that do -  exterminating the adults can prevent them laying but, as with some other pests such as fruit flies, true eradication means finding and killing the eggs and larvae, too.

How to keep your clothes looking good for longer - our guide tells you how, from keeping mould at bay to advice on dealing with old clothes.

What do clothes moths like to eat?

The common denominator in a clothes moth's diet is the protein keratin, which the female moth lays her eggs on to provide nutrition for the larval stage, and it's found in all manner of natural materials including:

• Wool and other natural fibres (or mixes) including silk, linen, velvet, fur or leather
• Food and drink residues
• Dust and dander (dead skin and hair)
• Bodily secretions such as sweat
• Pet hair

As well as clothing, carpets and furnishings, clothes moths home in on the keratin found in stored balls of wool and natural yarn, brushes with animal bristles, wool felts inside pianos and dead animals such as rodents, birds or taxidermy objects.

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What should you do if you find moths in your clothes?

Firstly, don't ignore them!  'If you spot moths or damage to your clothes, it's important to act quickly,' says Natalie Bungay.

Locate the source of the problem, inspecting items for signs of larvae and vacuuming the area to remove any larvae or eggs that may be there.

'Severely damaged clothes may need to be discarded to prevent further spread,' says Natalie.

Need to upgrade your appliance? Discover the best corded vacuum cleaners and best cordless vacuum cleaners according to our independent lab tests.

The next step is to use pheromone traps to attract adult moths - although these won't eradicate an infestation, they can play a part in helping to monitor, locate and reduce flying adult moth numbers to know if your efforts are working.

However, if the infestation is large or, despite your best efforts, the moths won't go away, you may need the expertise of a professional pest controller who can apply stronger, more targeted treatments such as fumigation, insecticide sprays or other solutions - find one on Trusted Traders.

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How to clean your wardrobes and drawers after finding moths

Eradicating a clothes moth problem takes more than swatting a moth or two. Here's how:

• Empty wardrobes and drawers before thoroughly cleaning. Remove everything from the affected area so you can examine each nook and cranny - don't be tempted to cut corners. Use a vacuum cleaner and a damp cloth to remove eggs and larvae. Remember to clean gaps and joins as well as all facets of shelves and drawers - including the undersides.
• Dispose of the vacuum cleaner contents correctly. Empty the contents into a bin bag immediately, tie it tightly and put in an outside bin - while it's in your home, there's still the possibility the contents could re-infest your possessions, plus a vacuum cleaner bag is the perfect environment for larvae to thrive in.
• Check clothing and textiles thoroughly. A cursory glance isn't enough. English Heritage recommends checking for clothes moths and larvae in the crevices, creases and folds of clothing, as well as behind labels. 
• Only put clothes away once clean. Even if they look clean, wash (60°C) or freeze (-18°C) before putting them back - you might not be able to see residues of food or sweat but a clothes moths will find it with ease. Our best washing machines 2024 reviews will help you choose an appliance to fulfil this and plenty of other key laundry tasks. 
• Don't dry-clean items to eradicate moths. The chemicals aren't insecticides but also, crucially, you could end up spreading infestation to that business and beyond. 
• Put natural moth deterrents among your clothes. Although these aren't effective on moth larvae, Natalie Bungay says using natural repellents like cedarwood or lavender can help prevent moths from returning. If you're using insecticides, keep the area ventilated and follow product guidelines on how long to wait before reusing the wardrobe or drawers.

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How to store clothes to prevent moths 

Whether you've managed to get rid of your infestation or you're keen to stop it taking hold in the first place, here are the measures expert Natalie Bungay suggests you take:

Use vacuum-sealed bags: Natalie says: 'These are a great option as they prevent moths from getting to the clothes'.

Use a dehumidifier: Clothes moths thrive when it's humid, so keep the air dry to deter them. Take a look at our best dehumidifiers guide to help you get the humidity right, especially in storage areas.

Clean and vacuum regularly:  Carpeted areas should be vacuumed at least twice a week (around once a week for hard floors).  Our guide on How to vacuum your home effectively is packed with expert advice. 

Regularly disturb the moths: English Heritage recommends taking out the clothes you have hanging in your wardrobe and shaking them at least once a month because 'moths hate being disturbed'. Keep wardrobes ventilated, too, simply by keeping the doors ajar.

For longer-term storage (like in self-storage), consider using mothballs or cedarwood to deter moths, store in airtight containers/bags and regularly check the condition of your stored items.

Also, be extra vigilant if you're buying second-hand, vintage or antique objects - from clothes, curtains, bedding and furniture to old luggage, inspect before buying or bringing them into your home and wash thoroughly (the hotter the better) or give them a stint in the freezer before storing.

'Can I use old-fashioned mothballs?'

These white, pungent-smelling crystalline balls were widely used to kill moths (including their larvae and eggs) by placing them in clothes storage or among clothing and textiles.

They've been banned from use in the UK and European Union since 2008 due to safety concerns of the active ingredient naphthalene, although there have been several cases reported by Trading Standards in the past few years of them being supplied and sold illegally in London and beyond.

So what can you use instead? Natalie says: 'Mothballs that contain naphthalene are banned but alternatives are still available - for example, ones that contain cedar. Naphthalene is known for smelling strong, but alternatives shouldn't smell as much of chemicals.'

You can also buy mothballs containing an insecticide called transfluthrin (such as Zero In New Generation Moth Balls, £4.49, Amazon), designed to kill clothes moth adults, eggs and larvae.

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How to get rid of moths in your carpets

Moths that love clothes love carpets and rugs, too, especially those that haven't been kept free of animal hairs, dust or traces of food and drink, so if you've spotted moths (or even larvae) lurking, or have spotted bare patches or loss of pile, try this:

Vacuum carpets thoroughly

This includes areas under large items of furniture such as sofas and sideboards and along skirting boards, using your vacuum cleaner's crevice tool to get to carpet edges. You may be able to remove some eggs and larvae if your vacuum cleaner has a strong enough suction although there's no guarantee it'll reach those buried deep in the fibres. The same applies to steam cleaners or carpet cleaners, which may help to keep new carpets moth-free but might not make a difference if an infestation is already established.

Take clutter off the floor

As well as making it hard to vacuum, dumped items on the floor - such as clothes, laundry or soft toys - create dark spaces moths love. This is even more true if your clutter is also damp, such as used gym gear or a rain-sodden coat. Read our guide on Clever storage ideas for your growing family if you need tips on keeping your space clutter-free and organised.

Use an insecticide spray

This will enable you to kill any larvae you can see but only if the chemicals come into contact with their skin, and there may be some you've missed. Remember, pheromone traps attract adult moths but you will still need to break the breeding cycle by getting to the eggs and larvae.

Call in the experts

If you're facing a more serious infestation or you're concerned about sorting it yourself, BPCA professionals can offer tailored advice and pest control services that ensure moths are fully eradicated from your home. It could also be the damage is being caused by carpet beetles - another group of insects that are able to digest keratin - but an expert will be able to advise you.

You can also find a highly rated trader near you by visiting the Which? Trusted Traders website

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