What Attracts Clothes Moths?

Clothing moth infestations seem to come out of nowhere. One day, your wardrobe is fine. The next, you might open it to find your favourite cashmere sweater riddled with tiny holes. As you sift through your other garments, dismay sets in—it’s not just the sweater; many of your finest clothes bear the same telltale signs of damage. Clothes moths can cause thousands of pounds in damage if not caught early, wreaking havoc on your wardrobe and home. In severe cases of infestation, seeking professional moth exterminator services might become necessary.

If you’ve discovered clothes moths ruined your garments, it’s natural to ask yourself how this happened. Today, we’ll go over what attracts clothes moths in your home and how they get in, and share a few tips on how to get rid of them and prevent future infestations.

Unfortunately, the most common way we detect moth infestation is when there is already damage on clothes, carpets, furnishings and other textile items. There are 3 main types of moths in the UK that feed on garments and other fabric items – Common/Webbing Clothes Moth, Casemaking Clothes Moth and Brown House Moths. All of them are attracted to:

It should be noted that clothes moths tend to attack fabrics of animal origin, such as wool, mohair, cashmere, silk, felt, fur, feathers and more. Unfortunately, these materials are often expensive and may be vintage or heirloom pieces that have been forgotten for a long time in an attic. Moths can also feed on pet and human hair, as they are keratin-rich. It is important to remember that adult moths do not cause damage but rather their larvae.

Various moth species are attracted to light, but clothes moths are not among them. Instead, these pests prefer dark and humid environments like garages, attics, and even vents and ducts. All these places provide the conditions ideal for moths to lay eggs and for their larvae to feed and develop. The darkness offers protection from predators, while the moisture aids in preserving the natural fibres they feed on. These conditions provide a safe haven for clothes moths to breed and ensure the survival of their offspring, making dark and humid places their preferred spots for infestation and sustenance.

As we clarified, moths tend to be drawn to dark, warm, and humid areas. It is not surprising, that they are often found in disorganised closets and clothing clutter. Clothes moths are especially attracted to unwashed garments, which may contain leftover body oils, hairs, dead skin cells, or food stains.

Moths can find their way inside homes through various unexpected entry points. The most common items that may contain moth eggs and larvae are:

• Second-hand clothes and vintage finds
• Gifted garments and used furnishings
• Cherished family heirlooms or hand-me-downs
• Furnishings obtained from consignment stores and thrift shops or received as a gift

In general, all types of clothes and furnishings made from cashmere, wool, fur, silk, feathers, felt, leather, or other materials of animal origin may conceal a moth infestation.

There is some good news for those who are dealing with moth infestation. You can employ several simple yet mostly inexpensive strategies that do not involve using pesticides or hiring exterminators. These strategies can help you eliminate moths and their fabric-munching larvae if you act quickly and thoroughly at the first sign of trouble.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to deal with moth infestation:

1. Make sure you are fighting the right culprit – several pests can feed on clothes and furnishings – like carpet beetles, larder beetles, and hide beetles. Check what clothes moths look like and how to distinguish between webbing and casemaking moths.
2. Dispose of heavily infested items. Severely damaged clothing and furniture may be beyond repair. Prioritise getting rid of the infestation over sentimental attachment.
3. Thoroughly clean the clothes you keep. Dry cleaning is the most effective way to get rid of moth larvae, and it’s definitely worth the cost for garments you don’t want to risk damaging. You can also wash your clothes using hot water over 50°C, but read the labels first as many wools shrink if washed at high temperatures. Alternatively, use a dryer with a non-agitating shelf/rack to remove moth larvae on woollen clothing.
4. Clean your closet thoroughly, vacuuming all corners and crevices where moths and larvae hide. Discard the vacuum bag outside, as it may contain eggs and larvae. Use a dry cleaning service or a carpet steamer for natural fibre rugs and upholstery.
5. Freezing can also be effective, but only if the temperature change is abrupt (for example, from 20°C to -20 °C) and the clothes are left in the freezer for at least 72 hours.
6. Use air, sun and elbow grease. Bring the clothes out, leave them to aerate in the sun, and thoroughly brush the infested items. This can remove the eggs and larvae, but it can be messy. Be careful not to bring any eggs or larvae back into your home.
7. Finish the moth removal process with a vigorous vacuuming to disrupt their feeding grounds. Vacuum carpets, hard floors, and soft furniture. Don’t forget hard-to-reach spots like beneath furniture, behind headboards, inside air vents and all dark, secluded spaces where moths tend to feast and breed.

Knowing what attracts moths and their most common breeding and feeding places can give you a hint on how to keep your home moth-free. Here are a few things you can do to prevent moth infestation or re-infestation:

• Inspecting the premises thoroughly at least once a year is essential to prevent infestation and re-infestation. Pay close attention to areas particularly susceptible to infestation, such as those under heavy furniture and along baseboards where wool lint may accumulate. Check areas behind heaters, furnaces, and inside air ducts and vents, as these places are often overlooked but can be a breeding ground for pests. By doing this, you can prevent pests from multiplying and causing harm to your property.
• Regular vacuuming is an essential step in maintaining a clean and healthy environment. You should vacuum rugs, carpets, drapes, upholstered furniture, pet bedding, closets, and cracks and crevices on the floors. Before starting, remove all items from wardrobes and drawers and thoroughly vacuum them to remove lint on which larvae may feed. Clean these areas frequently to prevent lint, dust, or hair from accumulating. After using the vacuum cleaner, empty the bag because it may contain eggs or larvae.
• Make a habit of washing or dry cleaning every vintage, thrifted, or gifted item you get. This way, you lower the chance of bringing eggs and larvae inside the house.
• It is essential to store seasonal clothes properly. Woollen items should be stored in air-tight containers, while furs and items with feathers should be kept in cold rooms.
• To keep moths away, you can use natural herbs as repellents. Moths don’t like the intense fragrances of lavender, bay leaves, mint, cloves, thyme, rosemary, or cedar shavings. Put some dried herbs in a sachet bag, and place the bag inside your closets and drawers. This will help prevent moths from damaging your clothes.
• It is recommended to use clothing moth traps, which work by attracting male insects with pheromones and trapping them. This method can help detect infestations early on and prevent them from becoming severe by disrupting the moths’ mating cycle.

Although some people prefer using mothballs, we recommend avoiding them whenever possible. Mothballs are active pesticides that can kill moths, but they are also toxic and unsafe for households with small children and pets. If you are dealing with a widespread infestation, do not hesitate to call us. As moth exterminators in London, we can help you get rid of the pests safely and efficiently.