How To Get Rid Clothes Moths
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What do Moth infestations look like?
Description
Fabric moths in Ireland are small whitish moths, i.e. the “Webbing Clothes Moth” or the “Case-bearing Clothes Moth”. Usually, you will see the adult pests first, flying around or gathering around the windows. This is an indication of the presence of the little maggots which in most cases are feeding on the wool carpets or less commonly clothing.
These maggots accumulate in the quietest and safest areas, along the skirting boards and under furniture. Over time they will literally shave some areas of the carpets to the thread (see our picture).
Moth damage or carpet beetles? Both moth larvae and carpet beetle larvae cause similar damage to carpets, rugs, and natural fabrics — but the treatment differs. If you are unsure which pest you are dealing with, our technicians can identify the infestation correctly before recommending treatment.
Habits
Adult clothes moths will not eat fabrics but they can lay 50 to 60 eggs onto fabrics, and these can hatch in as little as 10 days in suitable conditions. The little larvae are the ones creating the damage by chewing the natural fibres and making holes in the fabric. The case-bearing clothes moths larvae are very easy to identify, as they carry with them a little cocoon which is made of strands from the fabrics they find.
They can move some distance from the area they infested originally and are regularly found resting on the higher parts of walls.
ASK A CLOTHES MOTH CONTROL SPECIALIST
Advice to Help Getting Rid of Moth Larvae
In order to reduce moth larvae in your house, check the following tips:
Housekeeping
- Keep your clothes clean: moths are more likely to lay eggs on stained fabrics as the larvae will find more nutrients on these. Always wash clothes before you put them back in your press.
- You should also wash fabrics in contaminated areas, such as linens, soft furnishings, rugs, wool curtains, etc. as some fabrics attract moth larvae.
- Clean all furniture, especially cracks where moth eggs hide: cupboards, drawers, wardrobes, etc.
- Inspect and wash storage boxes, bags, suitcases and other items where eggs and larvae may be hiding.
- Make sure you replace your vacuum cleaner bags often, as these may contain eggs, larvae, and also hair and pieces of fabrics the feed on. Bring the hoover bags immediately outside in your wheelie bin.
- Inspect second-hand furniture and linen. It is a common way for clothes moths to enter your home. You can dry-clean linens & soft furnishings before using them.
Try to get in the habit of regularly checking for holes in fabrics and carpets, and keep your rooms well-ventilated and dry.
Carpet Moths Treatments
DIY Solutions
For small moth infestations, you can use some DIY products that kill or repel moths, such as Mothballs containing naphthalene or Clothes Moths Killer Cassettes. You can also treat contaminated items with heat (e.g. tumble dryer) or cold (e.g. domestic freezer). Pheromone traps are also effective for detecting and monitoring an active infestation — these can be purchased from our online shop.
You should vacuum all identified eggs and larvae, and pay particular attention to areas where lint accumulates (corners, baseboards, shelves, etc.). Dispose of the vacuum cleaner bag after cleaning. All infested clothing, cloth, blankets and other fabrics should be cleaned or discarded.
Professional Help
Without a doubt, an established case-bearing clothes moth (Tineola bisselliella) infestation should be treated by a professional pest controller. This is the only way to ensure complete eradication and prevent the risks of re-infestation.
Owl Pest Control Technicians have extensive experience and knowledge in dealing with Clothes Moths and other fabric pests from any area around houses, hotels, apartment blocks and offices. For instance:
- Moths infestation in carpets and rugs
- Carpet Moths in clothes
- Clothes Moths in Houses
- Moths in apartment block corridors
Contact Owl Pest Control if you need help on how to get rid of clothes moths or to arrange a professional moth treatment.
Clothes & Carpet Moth Control
Frequently Asked Questions
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Both pests cause similar damage to natural fibres — bald patches in carpets, holes in clothing, and damage along skirting boards. The key difference is the pest itself: clothes moth larvae are small cream-coloured maggots, while carpet beetle larvae (woolly bears) are brownish and hairy. The treatment method differs between them, so correct identification is important before applying any treatment.
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Hoovering alone rarely eliminates a moth infestation. Eggs and larvae accumulate in areas the hoover cannot reach effectively — under heavy furniture, along the edges of fitted carpets, and deep in the carpet pile close to skirting boards. Professional treatment reaches these areas with appropriate insecticide and follows up to catch any newly hatched larvae.
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No. Clothes moth larvae feed exclusively on natural fibres — wool, silk, cashmere, cotton, and similar materials. Fully synthetic carpets are not at risk. However, blended carpets that contain a percentage of natural fibre can still be damaged. Moth damage is most common in wool carpets, wool rugs, and natural-fibre clothing stored in wardrobes.
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A single professional treatment is usually sufficient for most moth infestations. The insecticide used has a residual effect that continues to kill newly hatched larvae over several weeks. A follow-up inspection may be recommended after 4-6 weeks to confirm the infestation has been fully eliminated.
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Natural repellents such as cedar blocks, lavender, and pheromone traps can help prevent a new infestation or detect early activity, but they will not eliminate an established infestation. Once larvae are active in carpets or clothing, professional treatment is the most reliable way to achieve full eradication.
