Moths
Common Adult UK House Moths traditionally emerge from their cocoons in late spring and early summer. However, improvements in home insulation and heating have caused them to flourish. This means they could emerge at any time in a well-heated home. You may see an uplift in the population from late March to May. As we store coats away until autumn and dust off the light clothing, read this guide to learn how to get rid of moths.
As part of the moth lifecycle, clothes moth larvae and carpet moth larvae eat clothes. Socks, underwear, designer gear – everything in your closet, wardrobe and drawers could become a food source.
Moth larvae chomp at clothes, carpets, crafting wool and furs. They do this to build the strength needed to turn into fully grown adults. Once grown, they reproduce and die.
Despite their creepy appearances, adult moths aren’t directly to blame for ruined wardrobes. Don’t worry though, common clothes moth larvae don’t bite humans. Instead, they consume animal fibres.
How do you identify moths? There are three well-known types of clothes eaters in the UK:
Also known as the Webbing Clothes Moth (usually in the US), or by the scientific classification Tineola bisselliella. Its body is between 6 to 8 mm in length. You can identify it by its light brown/yellow head and red/golden wings. Adults live for around a month and have one objective: to breed. They are primarily nocturnal creatures.
Its larvae are only 1 mm long when they emerge but can grow to around 12 mm. They are identifiable by their yellow/white segmented bodies, hard brown heads with microscopic antennae and pincers. Note the tiny feet along their underbody - this is a feature that will help you to distinguish common clothes moth larvae from maggots.
Females lay 100-200 eggs at a time, covered in a glue-like substance to help them attach to their surroundings. Eggs are yellow to off-white.
Similarly sized to the Common Clothes Moth. It is identifiable by its silver-tinged grey and brown body. Its wings are predominantly brown with black spots. It is common in the UK and can be found worldwide.
This type of insect is named because after their larvae’s behaviour. As the larvae feed on organic fibres, they weave a case around their bodies that they permanently inhabit. This little addition makes it easier to spot case-bearing clothes moth larvae than other types.
If you’re trying to decide between the carpet moth vs clothes moth in your home, be aware of the distinction between the two. In the UK, Trichophaga tapetzella is relatively rare. Because the two main types of clothes moth have also been known to eat carpets, they are often miscategorised as carpet moths.
If you know what to look for, the Carpet Moth is impossible to mistake for anything else. Distinguishable by their two-tone black and white wings and larvae which build cases around them (much like the Case-bearing Clothes Moth).
Their larvae eat animal fibres and prefer cooler environments. This makes the Carpet Moth somewhat of a rarity around the home in 2025. Despite their name, they prefer to settle in bird nests.
After Adult Female Moths lays their eggs, they take about a week to hatch in warm temperatures. Out of season or in colder areas, this process can take longer.
When larvae hatch, they are tiny. They grow from around 2mm to lengths of up to 1.0-1.5 mm long. Their huge potential for damage comes from how long they spend in the larval stage.
Moths can spend months to a year of their lives as larvae. They constantly eat away at clothes and carpets during this time. A single larva struggles to do much damage. But hundreds at a time can cause a serious problem seriously quickly.
Moths can spend months to a year of their lives as larvae. They constantly eat away at clothes and carpets during this time. A single larva struggles to do much damage. But hundreds at a time can cause a serious problem seriously quickly. Once they have fully grown into adults, they focus on reproduction. The lifespan of an adult is only a few weeks. As moths live the majority of their lives and do the most damage as larvae, we must get to know the signs of infestation.
After they have eaten enough to fuel growth, it’s time for larvae to pupate into adult moths. The time a Common UK Moth spends in a cocoon varies, depending on the temperature of their surroundings. In warmer temperatures, adults emerge earlier. The pupal stage usually lasts a little longer than a week. Around 10 days is the average in an optimum climate. Larvae will retreat into warm and dark areas to pupate. They love closets, drawers and wardrobes. Once they have found a warm and quiet place, they weave silk around themselves and undergo a process known as Histolysis. During histolysis, their larval bodies literally liquefy and reconstitute into adult moths. Yuck!
Always look out for discarded Moth casings. Much like moths eggs, they are small and white. If you spot an errant white rice grain in your cupboard, look closer. It could be a spent moth cocoon.
Common Clothes Moths will only take up residence in places with agreeable conditions:
These conditions are often found in:
For Carpet Moth treatment, ensure that you check skirting boards in contact with carpets as well as around and under upholstered furniture.
In nature, they have often been found inside bird nests. There, they feed on feathers, hair and fabric that birds have scavenged for their nests.
Unlike the stereotype of 'a moth to a flame', Clothes Moths will seek out dark and quiet places to lay their eggs. In the dark, larvae will spend months feeding away at any fibres they can reach.
Common clothes moth larvae don’t travel far, but case-bearing clothes larvae have been known to cross some distances. They build their cases as they eat, so you’re more likely to find a case-bearing clothes moth larva wandering across your carpet or your favourite woolly jumper.
It is important to always be vigilant in case of moth infestation. Look for these tell-tale warning signs.
A moth infestation can be difficult to detect. Eggs or larvae are most comfortable in the back of undisturbed, dark wardrobes. Damaged clothes or carpets are often the first signs of infestation. Look out for small holes and tatty corners in clothes and carpets.
Most of their lifetimes are spent as larvae. They can do a lot of damage unnoticed. By the time you notice holes, it’s already too late.
Moths eat organic, natural fibres. More specifically, they feed on the keratin present in fibres. Keratin is the same material that makes up your hair and nails which means, yes, they will eat those too! During an active infestation, consider protecting your clothes in garment bags.
Natural fibres include:
In very rare cases, Clothes and Carpet Moth larvae also ingest the natural elements of composite fabric blends. These are defined as clothes or other textiles that mix animal fibres like wood and fur with plant fibres like cotton and linen, or synthetic fibres like polyester and nylon.
Keep in mind, they will only do this if the synthetic blend is completely saturated with a keratin-rich substance, such as blood or sweat, and if there is no other food source available. In these unusual cases, the destruction of the organic/synthetic blend is a byproduct of the moth larvae’s consumption of the keratin present in the stains.
Once you’ve confirmed the presence of moths in your home, it’s time to get rid of them. What are the best moth repellents? Find out here.
NOPE! CP’s powerful spray formulation provides a lasting barrier against all types of moths.
When sprayed on an undisturbed surface, NOPE! CP Clothes Moth Killer Spray kills moths on contact.
It can be used to quickly deal with infestations for efficient and effective pest control. Now you know how to get rid of moths, you can easily and safely protect your home and belongings from one of the UK’s most common pests.
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