You might not notice their presence until you pull out a jumper full of holes. Clothes moths are small, silent, and incredibly destructive. They thrive in dark, undisturbed spaces where fabrics stay undisturbed for long periods. Here are some useful and surprising clothes moth facts that explain how these pests live, feed and survive inside your home.
1. They Prefer Darkness
One of the most surprising clothes moth facts is that adult moths avoid light. Unlike other insects, they don’t fly towards lamps or windows. Instead, they hide in dark spaces such as wardrobes, cupboards, under furniture and even inside insulation – places where they can lay eggs safely.
2. Larvae Cause the Damage
It’s not the adult moths eating your clothes but the larvae. These tiny caterpillars feed on natural fibres like wool, silk and cashmere.
They use the protein keratin found in these materials as food. They then leave small holes and loose fibres as evidence of their activity.
3. They Make Little to No Sound
Clothes moths are extremely quiet. The adults make almost no noise when flying, and the larvae feed silently. That means you won’t usually hear them until the damage is done, which is why regular inspection is so important.
4. They Can Survive for Months
Another useful clothes moth fact is that larvae can survive for several months before turning into adult moths. During this time, they can cause extensive damage, especially if the environment stays warm and undisturbed.
5. They Like Dirty Fabrics
Clothes moths are drawn to fabrics that contain sweat, food or body oils.
This is because these residues provide extra nutrients, which is why unwashed clothing is far more likely to attract them.
6. Moths Don’t Eat Synthetic Materials
Clothes moths don’t eat polyester or acrylic fibres. However, if synthetic fabrics are blended with wool or stained with food, larvae will still feed on those.
7. They Don’t Need Much Space
A clothes moth can lay eggs in the tiniest gaps – under skirting boards, between floorboards, or inside furniture joints. Even the smallest hiding spot can host a growing infestation. Give us a call If you are having moth problems in your London home and we can help.