Holes in your favourite jumper, and you never saw the culprit. That is because the moth itself eats nothing. The damage is done by the larvae, hidden inside the fibre.
A pheromone trap shows whether they are there and how active they are. It uses a species specific pheromone that attracts the males of the common clothes moth (Tineola bisselliella) and holds them on an adhesive layer. Within a few days you know whether you have a problem and where in the house it sits. No spray, no smell and no residue on your clothes.
Shelf life 3 years, replace the trap every 3 months.
Do clothes moths really eat your clothes?
The larvae do, the moth does not. An adult clothes moth has barely functioning mouthparts and eats nothing at all; it lives briefly and only lays eggs. The larva feeds on keratin, the protein in wool, cashmere, silk, felt, fur and feathers. Cotton and synthetics are usually left alone, unless they carry sweat, skin flakes or food residue.
Are clothes moths dangerous?
Not to your health. They do not sting, do not bite and carry no disease. The damage is material, and it mounts up: a larva keeps feeding for weeks in the same garment before you notice.
How do you recognise them?
The moth is small and golden brown and flies poorly, fluttering rather than travelling in a straight line. If you see one cross the room with purpose, it is often a pantry moth rather than a clothes moth. Look as well for silky tubes, a fine webbing or bare, grazed patches in the fibre. The larva itself is cream white with a dark head and avoids the light.
Where are the eggs?
Directly on the fabric, preferably where there is sweat, skin flakes or food residue, because that draws the larvae. A jumper stored clean is therefore far less interesting than one that went into the wardrobe unwashed. Dark, undisturbed spots are preferred: the back of the wardrobe, under the bed, inside a storage box.
Where do they come from?
Often on second hand textiles, an old rug or a coat, and sometimes simply through an open window. Once inside they seek out clothing that has hung unused for months, because nothing disturbs them there.
How to tackle it
Hang a trap in the wardrobe and watch for two weeks. If you catch moths, empty the wardrobe, wash everything at sixty degrees or freeze it for three days, and vacuum the base and the seams thoroughly. Store clean clothing airtight and leave the trap in place to track whether it is decreasing.
Want to know more? Our guide explains how to recognise clothes moths and how fast they breed.
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