How to Get Rid of Webbing Clothes Moths

June 05, 2023

By Daniel Baldwin, BCE, CCFS, CP-FS

The webbing clothes moth is the most common fabric moth in the U.S. These small moths are weak flyers that prefer dark areas—making your closets, drawers, and linen chests susceptible to infestation. Webbing clothes moth larvae get their nutrition from fabric, including wool and other natural fibers. If you suspect you’re dealing with a webbing clothes moth infestation, read this guide to learn everything you need to know about control, prevention, and treatment of these pests.

What are webbing clothes moths?

Webbing clothes moths are a common species of fabric moth. The adults are pale gold with reddish-golden hairs on their heads and a row of golden hair on the wings. They have weak wings and aren’t commonly seen flying around homes like their counterparts, food moths or grain moths. They’re around ¼-inch long and have a distinct fluttering pattern when they make short flights. They stay near their food source and prefer hiding, especially when they feel threatened or disrupted.

Life cycle of webbing clothes moths

Female webbing clothes moths lay about 40 to 50 eggs over two to three weeks, and die after completing their egg-laying routine. Males outlive the females, continuing to breed their entire adult lives. The eggs are attached to fabric threads with an adhesive secretion, and they hatch after four to ten days in warm weather.

The larvae molt from five to 45 times depending on temperature, conditions, and available food. This larval period can last 35 days to 2 ½ years. The larvae are a shiny white color with dark capsule heads. They spin webbing as they feed, creating a silken feeding tube or tunnel. Webbing clothes moth pupation occurs in a silken cocoon that’s usually connected to the fabric. Their pupation lasts eight to ten days in the summer and three to four weeks in the winter. Heated buildings can accelerate their pupation process.

Webbing clothes moths vs. casemaking clothes moths

Webbing clothes moths and casemaking clothes moths are very similar species with many shared habits. However, there are a few distinctions to help to identify the exact type of clothing moth you have in your home. Webbing clothes moth larvae leave behind a small webbed shelter the same color as the fabric they are eating.

Casemaking clothes moth larvae also create a silken webbing while eating. However, they carry this material with them as they consume fabric and use it to build their cocoon when the time comes to pupate.

Signs of a webbing clothes moth infestation

The most easily identifiable sign of an infestation is small holes in your stored clothing. This commonly occurs in items like sweaters or knit materials made from animal-based fibers such as fur, wool, cashmere, or alpaca. These fibers are often found in other household fabrics, including rugs, chairs, curtains, blankets, scarves, tapestries, stuffed animals, or knitting yarns. You may also notice dead larvae or empty cocoons in and around the areas where they have been feeding.