Getting rid of clothing moths.

They are referred to as clothing moths, clothes moths, case making clothing moths, fabric moths, web making clothing moths, closet moths, and carpet moths.  The last name simply because carpets and rugs, or their padding, used to be made out of wool.

They are what we think of when we see damage to that expensive sweater, coat, or skirt we love.

However, in the Northwest, 99% of people with damaged clothing don't have clothing moths, they have Carpet Beetles. In fact, if you have moths in your home and damage to your clothes, 95% of the time you have two pest problems - carpet beetles and pest moths - just not clothing moths. We get about 1 call per year that turns out to actually involve clothing moths.

(NOTE: If you do have clothing moths we would be happy to take care of them - the treatment for carpet beetles and clothing moths is the same.  We would also be happy to inspect and identify your pests for you!)

Carpet Beetles are extremely common in our area. 

Most people who have damage to feathers, leather, wool, or items made from hair, such as wool carpets, horse hair blankets, wool sweaters or coats, etc... have Carpet Beetles.

Clothing Moths can be very damaging, they can be imported but do not typically survive in our area.

Getting Rid of Clothing Moths: Understanding Your Pest.

Adult clothing moths / Carpet moths do not do any damage. It's the larvae that cause the damage.  The female often lays eggs directly on their food sources: any item made out of animal protein is fair game.

In your home activity areas could include areas under baseboards, under / behind dryers, or inside heat ducts, these are the areas where human hair and pet hair tend to accumulate.

They lay eggs inside chests of drawers, or back behind the shelf in your closets - anywhere you store woolens. It is often directly on a woolen item stored away.

On furniture stuffed with horse hair the eggs will be laid in crevices or underneath where the larvae can burrow inside.  Wool rugs are also areas of concern.

Getting Rrid of Clothing Moths: Clothing Moth Control

Clothing moth control is very similar to Carpet Beetle Control and is explored in detail on our carpet beetle control page and can be found:

here

Getting rid of Clothing moths: Prevention

One aspect of clothing moth control is prevention.

Moth balls can work against clothing moths, but only in air tight containers.  Same thing for aromatic cedar. Although, we would never recommend either to treat clothes moths if you have an active infestation.

We recommend that woolens and silks be stored in air tight garment bags during the off season.  If the bags have clear sides, you can visually inspect every once in a while.  We can supply you with insect killing strips that can be placed in the bags for months at a time. You can air out the clothes prior to wearing them.

We recommend that furs be stored in fur vaults.  High end fur suppliers typically have vaults that are climate controlled and insect protected.

Clothing moths.  So called because they damage clothing made of wool or silk.

Case making clothing moths.  Because the larvae live in a cocoon and emerge partially from the cocoon as they devour fabrics made of animal protein.

Closets moths.  Since closets are the major area where we store clothing.

Rid of closet moths.  Anyone who believes they have moths in their closet damaging their clothes would love to get rid of them.

Rid of clothing moths. Of course, most people here locally do not have clothing moths but instead, have Carpet Beetles.

Rid of clothes moths. Clothes made out of wool are typically more expensive than the man made synthetics.  Seeing holes in an expensive suit or sweater makes many people see red.