Got Moths in the Closet? Here's How to Get Rid of Them

Unless you’re a devotee of '90s grunge, moths in your closet can be a fashion disaster — and a costly one at that. These small pests, known as clothes moths, consume animal-based fibers, so they’ll eat everything from your best silk dress to your cozy cashmere blanket.

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Fortunately, getting rid of moths no longer means your clothes have to smell like great Grandma’s mothballs. Using a few simple, safe methods, you can evict these winged invaders for good.

Clothes moths dislike light, and they thrive in warm, dark, undisturbed spaces, so closets and other storage areas make ideal places to nest and lay their eggs. Additionally, because their larvae feed on animal-based fibers, many of the items stored inside closets provide a feast for these pests, particularly if clothes and linens are made of:

• Wool
• Silk
• Felt
• Leather
• Feathers
• Fur
• Cashmere

Where Do Clothes Moths Come From?

Clothes moths can enter your home through small cracks or gaps in a building's exterior. They can also hitch a ride on secondhand clothing, upholstered furniture and other used fabrics.

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How Can You Identify a Moth Infestation?

Signs of moths in a house may not be immediately obvious. At only 1/4 inches long, clothes moths are easy to miss, and they often hide in dark corners, beneath the edges of carpets or in the folds of clothes. However, you can watch for several common signs of an infestation, including:

• Holes in clothing, blankets, curtains and other items made from animal fibers
• Webbing or cocoons on clothing and linens
• Droppings, which typically resemble small black specks

Placing pheromone moth traps in closets, attics and other storage areas can also help detect a moth infestation in its early stages, when it’s easier to treat.

How to Get Rid of a Moth Infestation in Your Home

After you’ve identified the source of the infestation, you can begin moth treatment by following a few simple steps:

Step 1: Empty the Closet

Remove all clothing and linens and discard unsalvageable items.

Step 2: Seal Infested Items

Place the items you want to save in airtight plastic bags and place them outside.

Step 3: Kill Moths

Launder machine-washable items in hot water. Set the cycle to at least 120 degrees Fahrenheit and wash for about half an hour to kill adult moths, eggs and larvae. Dry-clean items that aren’t machine-washable. Alternatively, place the sealed bags in a freezer set lower than 18 degrees Fahrenheit for several days.

Step 4: Vacuum Thoroughly

Vacuum in and around the closet, and don't forget cracks and crevices. When you're finished, empty the debris into an outside garbage can.

Step 5: Steam-Clean Your Carpet

Treat carpeted areas in and around the closet.

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How to Get Rid of Moths: Try Insecticide

You can also get rid of clothes moths by using a commercial insecticide spray for flying insects. Read the label to make sure the product targets clothes moths and is safe for indoor use around people and pets. For severe infestations, you may need assistance from a professional pest control company.

How Do You Prevent Moth Infestations?

Once you’ve resolved your moth problem, you can take steps to prevent future infestations with some moth prevention best practices, including:

• Reducing clutter in closets, attics and other storage spaces
• Washing secondhand fabrics as soon as you bring them home
• Deep-cleaning closets, cabinets and other storage areas at least twice every year
• Vacuuming your home thoroughly, including closet floors
• Laundering stained or sweaty fabrics quickly, as these can attract pests
• Storing valuable or sentimental items, such as baby clothes, in cedar chests
• Machine-washing all clothing and fabrics before storage
• Placing moth traps in closets and cabinets for early detection
• Storing clothes and linens in airtight storage containers
• Keeping the humidity level low
• Sealing gaps or cracks in your home’s exterior
• Choosing synthetic or linen textiles for your home
• Using cedar hangers or storage chests

How Do Pantry Moths Differ From Clothes Moths?

There are many species of moths in the world, but the two you’re most likely to encounter in your home are clothes moths and pantry moths, which include Indian meal moths. At about one half inch in length, pantry moths are twice the size of clothes moths, and their food source typically consists of:

• Nuts
• Flour
• Grains
• Spices
• Cereal
• Chocolate
• Other dried goods

To get rid of pantry moths, discard any infested items in sealed bags and take them outside immediately. Vacuum your cupboard, cabinet or pantry thoroughly, and wipe down any hard surfaces with a solution of vinegar and water. To prevent moths from returning, invest in sealed storage containers for susceptible dry goods.