Common Signs of Moth Damage

For such tiny insects, moths certainly cause severe damage. That is why if you see a moth fluttering in your home, it’s understandable to be alarmed. However, there are various moth species, and seeing a single insect alone doesn’t automatically mean you’re dealing with a widespread infestation. Before you go into full panic mode, some definitive, tell-tale signs of moth damage can help you make the best decision and decide your course of action. As professional moth exterminators, we want to help you spot these signs early and protect your belongings.

Not all the moths you see are a threat to your home. London homes are primarily at risk from two types of moths: Clothes Moths and Pantry Moths. Understanding the difference between them is the first crucial step in identifying the damage and addressing the problem effectively.

A common misconception is that Clothes Moths and Carpet Moths are separate species. They are, in fact, the same pests — Tineola bisselliella (Webbing Clothes Moth) and Tinea pellionella (Case-Bearing Clothes Moth) — named based on where they are found and the materials they target. These moths rarely fly into lights; instead, they prefer dark, hidden areas such as wardrobes, chests of drawers, and beneath furniture, and they thrive in warm environments.

Pantry Moths, on the other hand, are attracted to dry food items and seek out accessible supplies in kitchens, pantries, and sometimes even garages. While generally easier to manage than clothes moths, a pantry moth infestation can quickly spoil a significant amount of food and spread through your stored goods.

Whether you’re dealing with a moth problem or not, knowing the specific signs of damage caused by each type of moth can quickly help you determine the nature and scale of the issue.

Clothes Moths Damage

The clothes moth’s damage almost always happens in dark, undisturbed areas, which is why you may not notice it until you pull out an item you haven’t worn in a while. Sometimes, especially at the start of an infestation, the damage can be subtle, or you may miss it entirely — perhaps your favourite jumper is tucked deep into your wardrobe. In some less common cases, the damage may even be in an unexpected place, such as a wool wall panel. The damage from clothes moth larvae is often mistaken for simple wear and tear, but it possesses distinctive characteristics:

• Irregular holes in fabrics: The most noticeable sign is that these holes appear in natural fibre garments, such as wool jumpers, silk dresses, or cashmere scarves. They are caused by the larvae feeding on keratin, the protein found in animal fibres.
• Bald patches or thinning fabric: Look for areas where the fibres are noticeably missing or sparse, particularly on carpets, rugs (especially in corners or under heavy furniture), or upholstered furniture.
• Silvery-looking silken webs: Fine, sticky webbing found across the surface of cloth-based items. These webs are part of the larvae’s feeding tunnels or cases, giving the clothes moth the nickname ‘webbing moth.’

Pantry Moths Damage

The signs of a pantry moth infestation are concentrated around your food storage areas, as these pests need an easy, steady food supply for their larvae. If you notice webbing in a pack of flour, inspect every dry good in your pantry to make sure you don’t have infested food sitting at the back of a cupboard. To get a clear picture of the scale of the infestation, check other areas of your home as well. Sometimes, moths chew through less obvious items, such as dried flower bouquets or potpourri.

• Holes in packaging: Small, irregular holes chewed through plastic bags, thin cardboard boxes, or paper packaging, indicating where the larvae have gained entry.
• Silken webbing: Fine, sticky webbing or silken threads suspended within dry food items such as flour, cereal, grains, pasta, or dried fruit. The feeding larvae spin this.
• Clumped or dusty food: Food contents may appear unusually clumped due to the presence of webbing, or have a dusty/gritty residue which is composed of moth faecal pellets and shed larval casings.
• Visible larvae: In severe cases, you may spot the small, creamy-white larvae crawling within the food itself, on the interior of the packaging, ceilings, walls, or on the surfaces of cupboard shelves.

If you’ve discovered signs of damage, you must act immediately to keep moths at bay. While professional treatment is often required, there are crucial steps you can take immediately.

Minimising Damage from Clothes Moths

Clothes moths are primarily attracted to items containing keratin (animal protein) and organic residues. Their primary targets are natural fibres such as wool, cashmere, silk, fur, leather, and feathers, commonly found in clothing, blankets, and rugs. They are also drawn to soiled or worn items because residues like human sweat, hair, and skin cells aid larval digestion. Even items made of blended fabrics or heavily soiled synthetics are at risk, as larvae will chew through them to reach the natural fibres or organic stains.

When dealing with clothes moths, your focus should be on cleanliness and disruption. Since items stored for long periods in dark wardrobes or beneath furniture are prime targets, here’s what to do if you notice clothes moth damage:

• Be diligent when you find damaged clothes: if you notice irregular holes in one jumper, you must check your entire wardrobe.
• Launder or dry-clean all clothing to eliminate eggs and larvae.
• Place non-washable garments in a sealed bag and freeze for at least 72 hours.
• Thoroughly clean your wardrobe by vacuuming all surfaces and crevices, then wiping with a soapy water mixture.
• Ventilate regularly by opening wardrobe doors and moving items to disrupt the humidity and stillness the moths crave.
• Inspect clothing regularly, especially seasonal items, to catch any early signs of wear.
• Use airtight containers or breathable cotton garment bags for long-term storage of cleaned items.
• Minimise attractants—don’t forget to seal not just wool but also all protein-rich materials (leather, fur, soiled garments).
• Use natural scents like cedar blocks, lavender sachets, or rosemary to make storage areas less inviting.

Minimising Damage from Pantry Moths

Pantry moths are primarily attracted to processed dry goods and accessible storage. Their primary targets include pantry staples like cereals, grains, flour, nuts, seeds, spices, and dried fruit. They are also drawn to pet food and bird seed, especially when stored in unsealed containers. Ultimately, any opened boxes or bags offer easy access and make your dry goods vulnerable to an infestation. So, the core strategy here is to eliminate the food source and make your storage areas impenetrable:

• Inspect all dry goods and immediately discard any infested food in sealed bags, removing them from your home.
• Thoroughly clean all pantry shelves and drawers using a mild detergent or a solution of white vinegar and water to remove residual eggs and food sources.
• Store all dry goods, including unopened packages, in airtight containers (such as glass or hard plastic). This is the most effective protective barrier.
• Use pheromone moth traps to effectively monitor and reduce the adult male moth population, breaking the breeding cycle.
• While you can use natural repellents like bay leaves or mint, note that essential oils like rosemary are generally less effective against pantry moths than they are against clothes moths.

If you’ve discovered moth damage or signs of an active infestation, it is strongly recommended that you call pest control professionals. While the DIY steps above are vital for containment and prevention, they often fall short of eliminating a fully established infestation. As professional London moth exterminators, we have the expertise to accurately identify the specific species of moth, locate hidden breeding sites, and apply advanced pest control methods—such as our Heat Treatment and Steam and ULV Fumigation —available only to the general public. Our comprehensive service ensures the complete disruption of the moth lifecycle, protecting your valuable possessions and food from further devastating damage. Contact us today for a discreet and effective solution.