Clothes Moths
Tineidae
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SIZE
1/4in long, 3/8in wingspan
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COLOR
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BITE OR STING
No
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WINGS
Yes
COMMONLY MISTAKEN FOR
SOLUTIONS FOR CLOTHES MOTHS
General Information
The larvae of clothes moths feed on cloth fibers, leaving small holes in your fabrics. Their favorite meals include animal-based fibers like silk, wool, cashmere, angora, and fur. Help safeguard your family’s clothes from these fabric-feasting pests with easy tips for how to banish moths in the closet.
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Clothes moths are sometimes called closet moths or wool moths.
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Unlike most moths, clothes moths are not attracted to light.
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They are very weak fliers, so they are more commonly seen crawling across garments and the other items they infest.
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A female may deposit 100 to 300 moth eggs. The eggs take 1 to 2 weeks to hatch into the larval stage during the summer or in a heated room.1
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It is the moth larvae, not the adult moths, that eat and destroy fabrics.
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Moth larvae produce visible silk casings or webbing as they feed.
Details
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Clothes moths will infest clothing and other stored fabrics that are made of any natural fibers or fiber blends.
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They are most commonly found in closets, dresser drawers, attics, basements, and other areas where garments are stored.
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Clothes moths come inside to feed on fabrics that are made of silk, wool, cashmere, angora, and fur.
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Clothes moths will feed on cloth fibers and leave small holes in your fabrics.
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Keep clothes brushed and cleaned, especially items that will be stored for any length of time.
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Clean fabrics stained with food or perspiration before storing them because these items are attacked by clothes moths most often.
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Sweep or vacuum regularly to remove woolen lint or hair from floors, shelves, and drawers.
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Clothing bags, cedar closets, and cedar chests provide protection only when stored materials are air-tight and free from infestation before storage begins.
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Look for clothes moths in the folds of your clothing as well as dark corners of the closet.
