You pull out your cashmere from the back of the wardrobe, and there it is. A hole. Then another. Three more near the sleeve. Your stomach drops because you know exactly what happened. Moths got in there and had themselves a proper feast.
It’s happening to people all over Britain right now. Most of them don’t even know how to get rid of clothes moths for good. Pest control experts say moth problems have shot up in recent years. Blame it on our love of wool, those gentle wash cycles we all use now, and warmer temperatures making homes cosier for these little pests. There’s a proper infestation wave going on.
The Real Troublemakers
Here’s what catches most people off guard. Those adult moths you see flitting about? They’re not eating your clothes. Adult moths don’t actually feed on fabrics at all. They exist purely to reproduce. Then they die.
It’s the babies causing havoc. The females lay between 40 and 100 eggs over just a few days, and when those eggs hatch into larvae, that’s when your wardrobe becomes a breakfast, lunch, and dinner composite meal. The larvae consume the proteins in the animal fibres, thereby creating holes and frayed patches. They love wool, silk, and cashmere. Anything with keratin. Your carpets aren’t safe either.
What Are The First Signs Of Clothes Moths
You won’t realise there’s a problem until your most expensive items are peppered with holes. But if you look closely, you can spot warning signs.
- Small irregular holes in wool items. Usually, in spots you don’t check often, like under collars or deep in folds.
- Silky webbing stuck to fabric. The larvae spin silk webbing into tunnels across the attacked material. Think spider we,b but much tinier.
- Creamy larvae with brown heads. About the size of a rice grain.
- A musty smell when there are loads of them. Not pleasant.
- Adult moths crawling around dark corners. They scuttle more than fly, actually. These moths are only 5 to 8 mm long and only fly when it’s warm.
How To Get Rid Of Clothes Moths In The House
Right. You’ve spotted them. Now what?
Empty your entire wardrobe. Each and every piece must be scrutinised under good light. Inspect seams, collars, any place where fabric folds and doubles over. Inspect cracks, crevices and other hiding places that could harbour moth larvae.
Infested clothing should be washed at high temperatures (above 50°C) or hot ironed and delicate fabrics frozen to kill larvae efficiently. For the stuff that can’t handle heat, wrap non-washable items in plastic bags and freeze them for 48 hours. The cold kills them dead.
Vacuum like your life depends on it. Get into corners. Under furniture. Behind radiators. Vacuum all carpets, closets and skirting boards to remove any parasites that may be lurking there. Afterwards, toss that vacuum bag right into the outside bin. Moths have been discovered to make their homes inside vacuum cleaners, which is nightmare material.
You can use steam to clean any remaining larvae out of carpets and upholstered furniture. Steam is great because hot steam gets them at all life stages.
How To Get Rid Of Clothes Moths Naturally
Not keen on chemicals? Fair enough. And there are natural alternatives that really work.
- Pheromone traps are brilliant. Levitate traps 3-6 feet above the floor level in closets, under furniture, or in rooms where wool, silk, or animal-based textiles are stored. They trap male moths, which disrupts the breeding cycle. They are effective for about 12 weeks, but you may need to change them sooner if you’re catching loads.
- Cedar Wood is a classic for a reason. Cedar oil repels moths naturally. But here’s what most people don’t realise: you should sand your cedarwood with sandpaper every six to 12 months, because the fragrance fades. Otherwise, you’re blinging out your closet with beautiful wood.
- Lavender works too. Mix several drops of lavender essential oil with water in a spray bottle, shake it up and spritz just a tiny bit on your carpets and clothes. Good for you, bad for moths.
- They do not like cloves, orange peels, or rosemary, so little sachets tucked in drawers can help discourage them. Though, to be fair, the scent diminishes eventually and its effectiveness can depend on how bad an infestation is and how fresh its ingredients are.
How To Get Rid Of Clothes Moths Permanently
Getting rid of them is one thing. Keeping them gone? That takes work.
Clean before storing. Always. Moth larvae prefer soiled fabrics over clean ones, and textiles soiled with food or urine are preferentially attacked. Even if you only wore something once, wash it before putting it away for the season. Body oils and sweat are attractive to the egg-laying moths.
Storage matters massively. Hang items in breathable cotton or linen bags. When it comes to clothes you’ve folded, your best option might be an airtight bin. Keep stuff neatly packed away in plastic bags, preferably vacuum-sealed ones, or boxes with lids.
Keep your wardrobe aired out. Moths are drawn to the dark, damp, and warm spaces. Ensuring your closet gets opened all the time and has plenty of airflow makes it a less desirable spot for them.
Don’t ignore carpets and furniture. Check for webbing under seats as rugs, cushions, upholstered chairs and curtain linings could be potential targets. Vacuum wool area rugs regularly, particularly underneath and around edges.
Year-round vigilance. With modern heating and insulation, moths can remain active all year. Keep traps in place constantly and refresh them regularly.
How to Get Rid of Clothes Moths Larvae Specifically
These are the real troublemakers, remember. The larval period lasts 35 days to 2.5 years, depending on conditions. So you need to be thorough.
Check every hiding spot. They love tucking themselves into seams, cuffs, underarms, and waistbands. Anywhere fabric folds or gathers. Inside pockets, too.
For valuable pieces, dry cleaning is worth every penny. It kills all life stages without risking the fabric.
How to get rid of clothes moths fast? The freezer method works brilliantly for larvae. Seal items in plastic bags and freeze at minus 18°C for at least 72 hours. That’s a proper deep freeze, not just chucking them in amongst the frozen peas.
The Bottom Line
Moths are a proper pain. But they’re not invincible. Clean your clothes before storing them. Use proper storage. Keep things aired out. Vacuum regularly. Set traps even when you haven’t seen moths.
If you’ve caught it early, you can absolutely sort it yourself. But if moths keep coming back despite your best efforts, or if you’re seeing dozens at once, it might be time to call professionals. No shame in that.
Your wardrobe’s counting on you.
