Quick facts
- Common species
- Common clothes moth (Tineola bisselliella); case-bearing clothes moth
- Adult size
- Wingspan about 10 to 14 mm, buff-gold, with fringed wings
- Behaviour
- Adults avoid light and run or flutter low, rather than flying to lamps
- Eats
- Wool, cashmere, silk, fur, feathers and fabrics soiled with sweat or food
- Life cycle
- Egg, larva, pupa and adult; can run all year in heated homes
How to identify clothes moths
Clothes moths are small, pale, golden-buff moths. They are weak flyers and prefer dark places such as wardrobes, drawers and under furniture. They are different from the larger, darker moths that circle lights, which are harmless.
The damage is caused by the larvae, which spin silky tubes or cases and eat keratin in animal fibres. They favour clothing that is dirty, because food, sweat and body oils attract them.
Signs of clothes moths in your home
- Small, irregular holes in knitwear, wool coats, scarves and blankets
- Silky webbing, cocoons or tiny cases in folds of fabric
- Pale moths flitting from wardrobes when you open them
- Fine gritty droppings that resemble sand
- Damage on rugs and carpets, especially under furniture
Risks and damage
Clothes moths are harmless to people but can destroy valuable clothing, rugs, upholstery and heirlooms. Pantry moths (a different group) infest flour, grain and dried food instead.
Why clothes moths come into properties
Warm, dark, undisturbed storage with natural fibres, particularly unwashed items. They can arrive on second-hand clothing, vintage furniture or rugs, or through windows.
How to prevent clothes moths
- Wash or dry-clean wool and silk before storing them
- Store clothes in sealed breathable bags or containers
- Vacuum wardrobes, skirting boards and carpets regularly
- Use pheromone traps to monitor activity, although these catch males and do not cure the problem
- Check second-hand clothes and rugs before bringing them in
Professional clothes moth treatment by Southwark Pests
Treatment is a combination of cleaning, laundering affected items, freezing items that cannot be washed and applying a targeted insecticide to carpet edges, wardrobes and floor voids. Pheromone traps help to identify the species and measure progress. A thorough approach is needed because larvae hide in unnoticed spots.
When to call a professional
Call a professional if you keep finding holes in clothes, see moths repeatedly, or if valuable textiles or carpets are at risk.
Clothes moth treatment across Southwark and London
Clothes moths thrive in warm, centrally heated flats and houses with wool carpets and natural fibres, and they have become much more common across London over the last decade. We cover South London, Central London (the City, the West End and Westminster), East London out to Stratford and Newham, and nearby parts of Kent, from our base at South Dock Marina in SE16. A standard visit is £90, and you can book online or call 020 8050 2022.
- Southwark
- Bermondsey
- Peckham
- Camberwell
- Rotherhithe
- Lambeth
- Brixton
- Lewisham
- Greenwich
- Bromley
- Bexley
- Kent
- Central London
- City of London
- Westminster
- East London
- Tower Hamlets
- Hackney
- Newham
- All areas
Clothes moth treatment: questions and answers
Do moth balls work?
They have limited effect and the smell lingers. Cleaning and sealed storage are more dependable. Some traditional products are restricted or unsuitable around people and pets.
What attracts clothes moths?
Natural fibres, particularly if soiled, plus dark and warm storage spaces.
Do cedar blocks help?
Cedar has a mild repellent effect but does not kill larvae. Use it alongside cleaning.
Are the moths flying around the light clothes moths?
Usually not. Clothes moths avoid light and tend to stay near their food source.
How do I kill moth eggs and larvae?
Hot washing, dry cleaning or freezing for several days will kill all stages in fabrics that can handle it.
How long does it take to resolve?
Often several weeks, because there may be larvae hidden in carpets and wall voids. Follow-up checks are normal.
Related pages
This page is general information, last reviewed on 19 October 2026. It is not a substitute for an on-site inspection.