Clothes Moth

(approx. 3/16" - 1/4" long) Small and buff colored, the clothes moth is often seen in dimly lit areas at night. The moths themselves do no damage. However, moths lay eggs that hatch into small white worm-like larvae. The larva feeds on fabrics made of wool and silk.

The larva of the webbing clothes moth leaves strands of silk tubing or damaged fibers. Case making clothes moth larvae spin finely silk cases that will be seen on fabrics.

Proper cleaning of affected fabrics is critical in controlling these pests. Treatments of closets, chests, or dressers are often necessary to control adult moths to prevent reinfestation. Clothes moth monitoring traps are available that can be hung in closets to provide early detection of clothes moth infestations.