Skip to main content
Back to library

Clothes Moth

Easy DIY
Clothes Moth

Identification

Small, pale gold moths whose larvae feed on natural fibers — wool, silk, fur — often damaging stored clothing in dark, undisturbed closets.

Can I DIY this?

Easy DIY

You can handle this one yourself.

With the right product and a little patience, most homeowners take care of this pest on their own. Follow the treatment guide, read the product label, and you're set.

Download PDF guide

Recommended products

Rockwell CimeXa Insecticide Dust, 2 x 4 ozDust closet cracks & under baseboardsSyngenta Demand CS Insecticide, 8ozSpray closet perimeter & under furniture

Some links may be affiliate links. Buggsy may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Always follow the product label.

  1. Confirm clothes moths (not pantry moths) — check closets and fabric storage rather than the kitchen.
  2. Launder or dry-clean infested fabrics; heat and freezing both kill eggs and larvae if dry cleaning isn't an option.
  3. Vacuum closets and storage areas thoroughly, including corners and baseboards.
  4. Apply a residual treatment to closet corners and baseboards where larvae may be hiding.
  5. Store natural-fiber clothing sealed or with cedar going forward, since that's what prevents reinfestation.

Wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, closed-toe shoes with socks, chemical-resistant gloves, and goggles. Add a respirator if the label calls for it or ventilation is poor.