What are clothes moths?
Clothes moth, or clothing moth, larvae (below) feed on a variety of dried animal protein like hair, feathers and hide; adult moths (right) do not feed. Damage occurs when larvae feed on wool, upholstery, rugs, felt, dried skins, hair and similar materials but not synthetic fabrics, cotton and other plant-based fabrics. Other fabrics may be damaged, however, if they are in contact with infested fabrics that are made of animal fibers. There are several species of clothes moths including the casemaking clothes moth and the webbing clothes moth. All species have similar life histories. The adults are small buff-colored moths but one species has dark spots on the wings. Female moths rarely fly so you won’t find them fluttering around the house like the pantry-infesting moths.
