Published March 14, 2023 • Updated January 12, 2026
Reviewed by Julie Miller, BA in Language Arts, Editorial Lead, Dr. Killigan’s
TL;DR: Clothes moths go through four stages—egg, larva, pupa and adult—but it’s the larvae that destroy clothing, rugs and natural-fiber textiles. Larvae feed for weeks, chewing holes and weakening fibers in wool, cashmere, silk, fur and feathers before entering the pupal stage. Because eggs and cocooned pupae hide deep in fabric, infestations often spread quietly. Understanding each stage makes it easier to spot early signs and act before damage spreads.
How to identify clothes moth larvae (quick check)
Clothes moth larvae are the stage that damages fabric—not the adult moths. Use this quick check to confirm what you’re seeing:
• Size: Typically about ¼–½ inch long when fully grown; newly hatched larvae are much smaller and easy to miss
• Color: Creamy white to pale yellow with a darker brown head
• Shape: Soft, slightly curved, worm-like bodies; webbing moth larvae appear bare, while case-bearing larvae carry a small silken case made from fibers
• Where they’re found: Deep in folds of wool, cashmere or silk; along carpet edges, seams, cuffs, drawers and undisturbed storage areas
• Damage pattern: Irregular holes, thinning fibers or grazed patches rather than clean, round holes
• What you may also see: Fine silky webbing, clumped fibers or grainy droppings (frass) near damaged fabric
Once you know what clothes moth larvae look like, the next step is understanding how they fit into the full life cycle—and how quickly damage can progress.
Clothes moth life cycle at a glance
Clothes moths develop through four stages. The larval stage—as mentioned above—is the only one that damages fabric.
- Eggs (4-21 days): Laid in dark, undisturbed natural fibers
- Larvae (35-87 days): Feed continuously on natural fibers, creating holes and thinning fabric
- Pupae (8-40 days): Larvae spin silk-and-fiber cocoons where they transform into adults
- Adults (2-4 weeks): Do not eat or damage fabric; their role is to mate and lay eggs, restarting the cycle
Clothes moths reproduce quickly, but you can interrupt the cycle early with targeted, plant-powered tools. Dr. Killigan’s Clothing Moth Traps use a pheromone lure to attract and trap male moths, helping reduce new egg-laying; for best results, place one trap high on your closet rod and another low to the ground to cover different activity levels. If you’re already seeing larvae or fresh fabric damage, pair traps with Six Feet Under Plant-Powered Insect Spray. Spray along baseboards, carpet edges, drawer corners and fabric folds where larvae hide. Used together, these steps help you stop the cycle sooner and protect vulnerable natural fibers before more damage appears.
Clothes moth activity by season
Clothes moth activity changes with the seasons—but indoor infestations don’t fully stop.
While they don’t hibernate, their development speed and visibility shift in response to changes in temperature and humidity.
Spring
- Eggs laid earlier in the year begin hatching as indoor temperatures rise
- Larval feeding begins quietly; because eggs are attached to the fiber, larvae start eating exactly where they hatch
- This is when many people first notice fresh damage from winter-stored clothes
Summer
- Peak activity period in most homes
- Warm, humid conditions accelerate egg hatching—sometimes in as little as 4 days
- Multiple life cycle stages may overlap, leading to rapid, concentrated and widespread fabric damage
Fall
- Adults seek out undisturbed fabrics as people rotate seasonal wardrobes
- Eggs are commonly laid in sweaters, coats and rugs being stored away
- Infestations often begin now but go unnoticed until later
Winter
- Development slows in cooler, drier homes but does not fully stop
- Eggs can remain hidden and dormant in storage trunks or spare rooms, waiting for a warm spell to hatch
- Damage often appears "out of nowhere" when items are unpacked or moved for the holidays
Pro tip: Because eggs can hatch on their own schedule, plan for one to two full cycles (through repeated cleaning and monitoring with Clothing Moth Traps) to ensure you've caught the next wave, not just today's adults.
What are clothes moths?
Clothes moths are small, winged insects that thrive in dark, undisturbed areas of the home. They’re drawn to natural fibers because these materials provide both food and a safe place to lay their eggs. While the adults are highly visible, it is their keratin-eating larvae that are responsible for the irregular holes found in natural-fiber garments and rugs.
Two species are the main culprits: the webbing clothes moth and the case-bearing clothes moth. Both can cause significant damage if left unchecked, but with a clear understanding of their life cycle, you can spot activity earlier and interrupt the infestation before it spreads.
Clothes moth life cycle: An overview
Clothes moths—as mentioned—go through four distinct stages: egg → larva → pupa → adult. Each stage plays a different role in how quickly an infestation grows and how much damage occurs.
Here’s what happens in each phase:
Egg stage: hidden and fast to hatch (4–21 days)
Females lay 40–50 tiny, pearly-white eggs deep inside natural fibers where they remain protected from light and movement. Warm, humid conditions accelerate development, allowing eggs to hatch in as little as four days.
Larval stage: the destructive phase (35–87 days)
Once eggs hatch, larvae begin feeding immediately; they chew steadily through keratin-rich fabrics—wool, silk, cashmere, fur and feathers—leaving behind patchy thinning and the signature tattered holes associated with infestations. The longer this stage lasts, the more extensive the damage becomes.
Pupal stage: hidden cocoons (8–40 days)
When fully fed, larvae retreat into a cocoon made of silk, fibers and frass (or poo). Inside this sealed shelter, the larva transforms into an adult moth. Cocooned pupae are often tucked into carpet edges, garment folds, drawer corners or under furniture—making them easy to miss during routine cleaning.
Adult stage: reproduction only (2–4 weeks)
Adult clothes moths do not eat and cause no damage. Their sole purpose is to mate and continue the cycle. Females begin laying eggs within days of emerging, often in the same undisturbed fabrics where they developed as larvae, then die shortly after egg-laying. Males may survive several more weeks to continue mating.
Where do clothes moths lay eggs?
Females look for quiet, undisturbed spots where their offspring will have immediate access to food. They press their tiny, pearly-white eggs deep into the weave of a fabric, often along seams, in folds or in corners. A natural, gelatinous coating helps each egg cling to the material so it stays in place even through light handling.
Because they avoid light and movement, you are most likely to find their eggs in:
- Long-term storage: Folded knits in drawers, trunks or storage boxes that sit stacked and compressed
- Deep closet corners: Wool coats, suits and dense knits hanging at the back of a wardrobe
- Fixed textiles: The underside of upholstered furniture cushions or along the edges of thick rugs and carpets (especially under heavy furniture)
- Animal-based decor: Sheepskins, decorative felts or feathered items that aren't regularly cleaned or moved
This "attachment" is why garments that never move are the first to show damage. These hidden eggs can sit quietly for weeks or months until a warm spell triggers the larvae to emerge and begin feeding in the exact spot they were laid.
Note: For a complete rundown of what materials clothing moths eat, see Do clothing moths actually eat clothes?
Webbing vs. case-bearing larvae: What’s the difference?
While all clothes moth larvae destroy fabric, the two most common species leave behind different clues. Identifying which one is in your closet helps you know exactly what to look for during a deep clean.
Webbing clothes moth larvae
These blind larvae are "homebodies" that stay hidden as they feed. They spin stationary silk patches or tubes made of silk, fibers and frass (larval droppings).
- The webbing is fixed in one place and often matches the color of the fabric, making it very hard to see
- You’ll typically find irregular holes or grazed patches directly underneath these silken mats
Case-bearing clothes moth larvae
These larvae are "travelers." They carry a portable, silken case (like a tiny sleeping bag) made from the fibers they are currently eating.
- You may see a tiny, moving "fiber tube" crawling across a rug or up a wall. The larva stays tucked inside, only extending its head to feed
- Because they move around, the damage can be more scattered across a garment or carpet
How destructive are moth larvae?
The level of damage depends on a few key factors:
- Material vulnerability: High-quality fibers—like cashmere, angora and wool—show damage much faster than coarser wools
- Usage frequency: Items that sit undisturbed for months are at significantly higher risk than those worn or shaken out regularly
- Volume of food: The more keratin-rich material (wool, silk, fur, feathers) you store in one spot, the faster an infestation can grow
Pocket fact: Clothes moth larvae can consume up to 2,700 times their body weight during their feeding stage—according to Learn About Nature. This massive appetite is why just a few larvae can turn a favorite sweater into a patchwork of holes in a single season.
Note: While they prefer natural fibers, larvae may also eat synthetics or cotton if they are blended with wool or stained with food, sweat or body oils.
Signs of clothes moth damage
Often, the first sign of a clothes moth problem isn’t the moth itself, but what it leaves behind in your fabrics.
You may have a clothes moth issue if you notice:
- Irregular holes in wool or cashmere—soft, uneven edges rather than sharp, clean-cut circles
- Grazed or threadbare patches—surface fibers look worn, thinned or “shaved down” in small areas
- Silky webbing or clumped fibers—loose fibers lightly fused together with fine silk on the surface or underside
- Tiny, rice-like larvae—cream-colored, wiggling specks in cuffs, folds, rug edges or drawer corners
- Sand-like specks—fine, grainy frass (larval droppings) on shelves, in drawers or beneath hanging garments
- Adult moths fluttering weakly—small, tan or yellowish moths drifting out of closets, drawers or under furniture
If you see any combination of these signs—especially in natural fibers like wool, cashmere or silk—it is best to act quickly. A handful of larvae can quietly eat through hundreds of dollars of fabric in just a few weeks if left undisturbed.
For help confirming what you’re seeing, review the key signs of a clothing moth infestation in our complete guide to getting rid of clothing moths.
How long does the clothes moth pupal stage last?
Once larvae have eaten their fill, they enter the pupal stage—a hidden phase that typically lasts—as mentioned—8 to 40 days, depending on temperature and humidity.
What happens during this stage
- Webbing clothes moths spin fixed cocoons in nearby fibers.
- Case-bearing clothes moths seal themselves inside their portable silken cases, made from the fibers they had been feeding on.
Inside these shelters, the larva breaks down into a soft mass and restructures itself into an adult moth, a metamorphosis known as histolysis. Warm, humid conditions speed the process; cooler, drier conditions slow it down.
What pupae look like
Pupae are often:
- Tan to light brown
- Cylindrical or oval
- Pale at first, then darker as the moth prepares to emerge
Why pupae matter in an infestation
Pupae do not feed, but they are the bridge to the next generation. If pupae remain in place, new adults will emerge, mate and restart the entire cycle—often without anyone seeing a single larva.
Tip: Because pupae hide in quiet corners—carpet edges, closet floors, behind furniture and inside dense garments—vacuuming these areas and targeted treatment along edges and crevices can help disrupt the cycle before adults emerge.
To better understand how pupae end up in these hidden zones, see where clothing moths hide and how they get into the home.
Adult clothes moths: Behavior & appearance
Adult clothes moths—both webbing clothes moths (Tineola bisselliella) and case-bearing clothes moths (Tinea pellionella)—have one job: reproduce. Though they do not feed or damage fabric, they are a visible signal that an active infestation is underway.
How adult clothes moths behave
After emerging from the pupal stage, adults begin seeking mates within hours. Males use their antennae to follow faint pheromone trails left by females and often appear as weak, fluttering moths in closets or near baseboards.
Clothes moths:
- Are weak fliers, often fluttering in short, uneven bursts rather than flying in a straight line
- Prefer darkness and still air, so they stay low and close to walls, rugs and furniture
- Are easily disturbed by light, which is why you may only see them when you open a drawer or move a garment
What adult clothes moths look like
Size:
- Webbing clothes moths measure 5–8 millimeters in body length, roughly the size of a grain of rice.
- Case-bearing moths are similar in length and may appear slightly bulkier because of their wing shape.
Color and markings:
- Webbing clothes moths are yellowish-gold with a tuft of reddish hairs on their heads.
- Case-bearing clothes moths are similar in color but speckled with darker spots and lack the tuft.
Both species hold their wings tent-like over the body when at rest, giving them a narrow, elongated look.
Where to look for adult clothes moths
You are most likely to notice adult clothes moths:
- In dark corners of infrequently used drawers
- Along seams, cuffs or collars of wool garments
- Behind or beneath furniture or rugs
- Among seasonal clothes that haven't been disturbed
Note: For help tracing where they are coming from, pair this section with your guide on where clothing moths hide and how they enter the home.
Tip: If you are unsure whether you are dealing with clothes moths or food-infesting pantry moths, see the difference between pantry moths and clothes moths.
How to get rid of clothes moths: Traps, sprays & prevention tips
Once you understand the clothes moth life cycle, the goal is simple: break it at as many stages as possible. That means removing eggs and larvae from fabrics, interrupting mating and making your closets less welcoming over time.
Here is a simple, steady approach:
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Start with a deep clean
Wash or dry clean vulnerable items according to their care labels, especially wool, cashmere, silk and blends that have been stored for a season. For pieces that cannot be washed, use heat or freezing where appropriate and vacuum drawers, closet floors, rug edges and baseboards to remove loose fibers, larvae and pupae.
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Put traps in every affected space
Place Dr. Killigan’s Clothing Moth Traps in closets, wardrobes and storage areas where you have seen activity. The pheromone lure attracts male clothes moths so they are less available to mate, helping slow future egg-laying while you clean and treat.
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Treat cracks, edges and hidden zones
If you are already seeing larvae or fresh damage, pair traps with a plant-powered spray such as Six Feet Under Plant-Powered Insect Spray. Use it along baseboards, carpet edges, drawer corners and fabric folds where larvae hide and feed, always following label directions.
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Protect clean items going forward
Store off-season knits and coats in sealed containers or protective garment bags with Cedar Planks, and avoid leaving natural fibers packed tightly in dark, still spaces for long stretches. A quick shake-out, brush or airing every so often makes fabrics less attractive to egg-laying females.
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Monitor for at least one to two cycles
Keep traps in place and continue light cleaning in known hotspots for several weeks. Because eggs and pupae can emerge on their own schedule, ongoing monitoring helps you catch the next wave before it causes new damage.
Now that you know how the clothes moth life cycle works—and how to interrupt it at multiple points—you can move from reacting to damage to quietly staying ahead of it.
For more help staying ahead of an infestation, read our guide on how to prevent a clothing moth infestation for practical, easy-to-follow steps. If you need a full, room-by-room plan, explore our complete guide on how to get rid of clothing moths for a clear, effective strategy.
