But do pantry moths eat your clothes? The simple answer is, probably not. Indian Meal Moths do fly farther from their primary source of food in search of another feeding ground, but your closet will not be one of them – unless you keep a stash of snacks hidden in your coat pocket.
Do food moths eat clothes?
Both types of moths eat natural fibers found in clothing, carpet, drapes, upholstery and bedding. They'll eat wool, silk, cotton and any other natural fiber they can find. If they run out of clothing fibers, moths will even eat pet fur or chomp through synthetic materials to burrow into natural fibers underneath.
How do you tell if moths are eating your clothes?
Clothes Moths
- Silky furrows, tunnels, or trenches found on wool clothing and fabrics.
- Irregular holes in clothing.
- Furs that shed excessively.
- Tiny tubes stuck to fabric, which are larvae casings.
- Crusty deposits on rugs, drapes, and clothing.
- Small cream-colored moths appearing in flight or crawling on surfaces.
