Do Moths Eat Clothes? Uncovering the Truth About Clothing Moth

Do moths eat clothes? Well, if you have ever found holes in your favorite wool sweater after taking it out of storage, you must have asked yourself that question. It is one of the questions that are often asked by households in the United States who love wool, silk, and other natural fabrics. First of all, let’s figure out the reasons why the clothing moths are attracted to your wardrobe, the role of clothes moth larvae, how to observe the infestation, and most importantly, how to save your clothes.

Why Do Moths Eat Clothes?

Now, to answer the question, do moths eat clothes first, we need to find out the nature of these insects. Adult moths do not eat clothes – this is often misunderstood. The offspring of the adults, called clothes moth larvae, are responsible for the destruction.

The clothes moth larvae eat only animal fibers like wool, silk, fur, and feathers because these materials have in them keratin, a protein of animal origin that is made of fibrous structures similar to those the larvae use for digestion. Keratin remains a major ingredient in the synthesis of their growth and development. These fibers are fed on by the larvae as they mature to enable them to develop the energy they need to transform into the pupa stage and hence adult moths. That is precisely the reason you woolen sweaters, cashmere scarves, and silky attire are more appealing to the clothes moths.

Basically, these larvae are capable of digesting keratin, thus giving them the ability to develop into rampaging pests. They are nocturnal animals as well, and this means that they would seek purely dark places where they can hide with ease, like closets the attics as well and storage boxes. Besides, it is in such places that they find their leisurely feeding. Items that are not used often or kept for a long time are the most vulnerable.

Clothes Moth Larvae: The Real Threat

Clothes moth larvae are small worms of cream colour, and they are usually less than 1.3 cm in length. Once the adult female clothing moth lays its eggs on a fabric that is favorable to the eggs, the eggs will develop in about 4-10 days, which is dependent on the climatic conditions such as temperature and humidity. The larvae will then enter into a feeding spree which can extend as long as a few weeks or in some cases up to 2.5 years, depending upon the prevailing conditions of the environment and also based on the food supply.
As they go through this period, clothes moth larvae are unstoppable. They also weave silk tubes or cases while they go, which can frequently found on infested fabrics. These garments and tunnels are more than just a safe place for them; they also signal their presence.

Signs of Clothing Moths

Recognizing a clothing moth infestation in its initial stages is vital to avoiding a lot of destruction. The following are the typical indicators that clothes moth larvae are around:

• Uneven holes or completely worn areas in clothes made from wool, silk, cashmere, or fur.
• Silky tunnels or cases attached to the fabric, especially from the casemaking variety of clothing moths.
• Fur or feathered articles excessively shedding.
• Crusty accumulations or tiny fecal pellets on or near infested fabrics.
• When clothes are disturb, visible larvae or grown moths occur.

Damage is commonly conceale in places that are not plain to the eye, beneath collars, inside cuffs, beneath furniture, etc. When you see these symptoms, it indicates that it is high time that clothes moth larvae establish themselves as home in your wardrobe.

How to Control Moths Eating Clothes

Keeping your wardrobe safe from clothing moths needs a very engaged approach. Here is what you can do for clothes moth larvae control and how to prevent their damage:

1. Cleaning Thoroughly: Vacuum regularly closets, storage, and furniture that is upholster at least once a week. Before storing, wash or dry clean clothes, as food stains and body oils are the favorite of clothes moth larvae.
2. Storage Properly: When the season changes, store clothes that you do not need in airtight containers or garment bags. Besides, cedar chests or blocks are also a very efficacious natural remedy against the moths due to the presence of essential oils in them.
3. Cut Back Hiding Spots: Ventilate and keep well-lit the storage places since the clothing moths are the places where they like the most dark and quiet places.
4. Utilize Moth Traps: Setting up pheromone traps will help you catch the adult moths as well and it will also serve as a tool to check the number of the infestation.
5. Inspect Consistently: Make sure you keep checking the items in the storage regularly so that you will not surprised if the clothes moth larvae are there or some damage has occurred.
6. Get Rid of Infestations: After discovering the infested items, you can wash them with hot water or place them in the freezer for a few days, as it will kill all the life stages of the clothing moths.

The application of these instructions will enormously downplay the chance of clothes moth larvae being. By carefully following the instructions below, you can go a long way to prevent clothes moth larvae from turning your favorite clothes into their feast.

Conclusion

Well, do moths eat clothes? The fact is they do—more precisely, the clothes moth larvae caused the harm to your favorite fabrics. By knowing their nature and life cycle, you will be able to detect clothing moths in the very beginning and do the right things to defend your closet. For more professional pest prevention tips and to ensure that moths have no place in your house, go to saynopest—your reliable partner for pest control.