Get rid of clothes moths

Holes in your favourite jumper, and you never saw the culprit. Clothes moths do not feed themselves: the larvae do the damage. They live on keratin, the protein in wool, cashmere, silk, felt and fur.

Where do clothes moths come from?

Usually on second hand textiles, an old rug, a coat, or simply through an open window. Once inside they look for dark, undisturbed places: the back of the wardrobe, under the bed, inside a storage box. Clothing that hangs untouched for months is most at risk.

How do you recognise them?

The moth itself is small and golden brown and flies poorly, more fluttering than purposeful. If you see silky tubes, fine webbing or bald patches in the fibre, the larvae are already there. The larva is cream white with a dark head and avoids light.

Where are the eggs?

A female lays her eggs directly on the fabric, preferring spots with sweat or food residue because those attract the larvae. A jumper stored clean is far less interesting than one that went into the wardrobe unwashed.

How to tackle them

A pheromone trap draws the males out of the wardrobe, which stops reproduction and shows you immediately how big the problem is. Combine it with washing at sixty degrees or a few days in the freezer. Our traps are poison free and odourless, so you can hang them straight among your clothes.