Published March 14, 2023 • Updated November 25, 2025
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.
Clothes moth life cycle at a glance
- Eggs (4-21 days): Laid in dark, undisturbed natural fibers.
- Larvae (35-87 days): The only destructive stage; larvae chew steadily through natural fibers.
- Pupae (8-40 days): Hidden cocoons made of silk and fibers; adults develop inside.
- Adults (2-4 weeks): Do not eat; only mate and lay eggs to restart 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.
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 adult moths don’t eat, their larvae do, and they’re the stage responsible for the damaged 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 only 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—creating irregular holes and progressively thinning the surrounding fibers. 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.
How long do clothes moth eggs last?
From the life cycle overview above, you know clothes moth eggs can hatch in a matter of days to a few weeks. What that does not fully show is how flexible that timing can be—and why infestations sometimes seem to “come back” even after you stop seeing adult moths.
In warm, humid indoor environments, eggs move through development quickly and can hatch on the shorter end of the range. In cooler, drier or little-used spaces, development slows and eggs can remain dormant for much longer.
A few helpful patterns:
- In a warm, busy closet, eggs may hatch before you even notice an adult moth.
- In a spare room or storage trunk, eggs can linger and hatch later, long after you think the problem is over.
- Because eggs are fixed to fiber surfaces, newly hatched larvae begin feeding immediately in the exact spot they emerge.
This timing is also what makes reinfestations feel so frustrating. You might vacuum, wash or even treat visible areas and still find new damage weeks later, simply because a hidden batch of eggs hatched on its own schedule. Planning for at least one to two egg cycles—through repeated cleaning, heat or freezing plus ongoing monitoring with Clothing Moth Traps—gives you a better chance of staying ahead of the next wave, not just today’s adults.
Where do clothes moths lay eggs?
Clothes moths look for one thing when choosing where to lay eggs: a quiet, undisturbed place with plenty of natural fiber for the larvae to eat. That is why the first signs of damage often show up on favorite knits you rarely move or on textiles stored away for a season.
They most often target:
- Closets and wardrobes—wool coats, cashmere sweaters, suits, scarves, lined jackets and dense knits
- Drawers and storage boxes—folded knits, rarely worn pieces and off-season clothing that sit stacked or compressed
- Rugs and carpets—especially along edges, under furniture or where the pile is thick
- Upholstered furniture—the undersides of cushions, seams and hidden fabric folds
- Other animal-based items—blankets, sheepskins, felts or decorative pieces containing wool or fur
Females press their tiny, pearly-white, pinhead-sized eggs deep into the fibers, often along seams, in folds or in corners where fabric is not disturbed. A natural, gelatinous coating helps each egg cling to the material so it stays in place through light handling.
In undisturbed textiles—like items at the back of a closet or under a bed—these hidden eggs can sit quietly until conditions are right and larvae emerge to begin feeding. This is why garments that “never move” are often the first ones to show damage.
Note: For a complete rundown of what materials clothing moths eat, see Do clothing moths actually eat clothes?
Destructive moth larvae: What to know
The larvae of both webbing and case-bearing clothes moths are responsible for nearly all the damage to natural fibers. Adults flutter; larvae feed.
Clothes moth larvae are white or cream colored with brown heads. They resemble tiny, wriggling grains of rice and start out at less than one-fifth of an inch long, eventually growing to around one-half inch.
Note: If non-keratin materials (like synthetics) are stained with food, sweat or blended with wool, larvae may feed on those too. Even sheepskin rugs, taxidermy pieces and upholstered furniture can be at risk.
Webbing clothes moth larvae
Webbing clothes moth larvae are blind and prefer to stay hidden as they feed. They may spin irregular silk patches or stationary feeding tubes made of fibers, frass and silk, but they do not carry these tubes with them.
- The tube or webbing, if present, stays fixed in one place
- It often matches the surrounding fabric, making it easy to overlook
- Damage usually appears as irregular holes or grazed areas near these silken patches
Case-bearing clothes moth larvae
Case-bearing clothes moth larvae look similar in size and color but behave differently. They have a simple eye on each side of the head and carry a portable, silken case made from the fibers they consume. Only the head and legs extend from this “sleeping bag” as they move and feed.
- The case often takes on the color of the fabric they are eating
- It grows with the larva as it develops
- Separation from the case usually results in death, so larvae stay closely tucked inside
How destructive are moth larvae?
The level of damage you see depends on a few key factors:
- Material vulnerability—High-quality natural fibers—like cashmere, angora and wool—are prime targets and show damage quickly
- Usage frequency—Garments or rugs that sit undisturbed for months are at higher risk than items you wear, shake out and clean regularly
- Storage conditions—Dark, still, poorly ventilated closets create ideal conditions for larvae to feed and develop
- Volume of natural fiber—The more keratin-rich material you store, the more opportunity larvae have to spread
Pocket fact: According to Learn About Nature, clothes moth larvae can consume up to 2,700 times their body weight during the feeding stage. That quiet appetite is how a few tiny larvae can turn a favorite sweater, rug or coat into a patchwork of holes in a single season.
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 applying Six Feet Under 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.
