Published April 4, 2023 • Updated March 6, 2026
Reviewed by Julie Miller, BA in Language Arts, Editorial Lead, Dr. Killigan’s
TL;DR: If you cannot find the source of moths in your home, it is usually because they are hiding in dark, undisturbed places. Pantry moths often come from overlooked dry goods like flour, cereal or birdseed, while clothes moths are more likely to be breeding in stored wool, rugs or other animal-based fabrics. The moths you see are the clue; the real source is usually eggs and larvae.
Finding moths in your home without knowing where they’re coming from can feel maddening. In many cases, the problem starts in an area you would not think to inspect right away.
In this guide, we’ll help you narrow down the source, identify which type of moth you’re dealing with and take the right steps to clear out the infestation.
1. Find the source
Start by checking the places moths are most likely hiding.
For clothes moths, turn your attention to natural fabrics and stored textiles. Wool, silk, cashmere, fur, rugs, blankets and upholstered furniture can all feed developing larvae. Clothes moths tend to settle where fabrics are left alone, so the trouble often begins in garments that are seldom worn, drawers that are rarely rummaged through and storage areas left untouched for a season or more. Check folded fabrics at the back of drawers, quiet closet corners, under-bed storage and boxes or bins holding off-season items.
For pantry moths, inspect dry goods and food storage areas carefully. Common sources include flour, cereal, rice, pasta, grains, nuts, dried fruit, spices, pet food and birdseed. Pantry moths often begin inside a single package and then spread to nearby items, especially products stored in thin plastic, paper, cardboard or loosely sealed packaging. Look for webbing, clumped food, larvae and fine debris inside packages, along folds and seams and on pantry surfaces. Because larvae often leave the food before pupating, it is also worth checking shelf corners, cracks, crevices, hinges and other tight spaces around the pantry.
With the likely source narrowed down, you can begin identifying which type of moth you’re dealing with.
2. Identify the moth
Most household moth problems come down to one of two types: clothes moths or pantry moths. Here is how to tell them apart.
Clothes moths (Tineola bisselliella and Tinea pellionella)
Clothes moths are the smaller of the two, usually about one-fourth inch long. They are typically buff or beige in color and may have a faint golden or coppery tuft of hair on the head. Their flight tends to look weak and fluttery rather than quick or direct.
Pantry moths (Plodia interpunctella)
Pantry moths—also known as Indian meal moths—are usually larger, measuring about one-half inch long. They are often gray, tan and reddish brown, with wings that appear lighter near the body and darker toward the tips. Their flight is quicker and more erratic, often with a zigzag pattern.
If the problem still feels a little elusive, do not let that stop you. You can still make steady progress by clearing out likely trouble spots and cleaning thoroughly.
3. Clean and throw away infested material
After identifying the moth, clear out anything that may be feeding the problem.
If you have clothes moths, begin by sorting through clothing, linens and other fabrics to identify anything that shows signs of activity. Look for holes, larval casings or other visible damage. Remove infested items from the home and seal them in plastic bags before discarding them in an outdoor trash can. Wash machine-safe items in hot water and dry them on high heat to help eliminate lingering eggs or larvae. For delicate items that cannot be washed, freezing them for 72 hours will kill any remaining eggs or larvae.
If you have pantry moths, empty the pantry and inspect all dry goods closely. Set aside anything opened, loosely sealed or questionable so you can review it one by one. Discard any item that shows signs of infestation or contamination.
With those items cleared away, vacuum thoroughly. Focus on the places where activity is likely to linger, including shelf corners, drawer corners, baseboards, closet edges and cracks or crevices. Use the hose attachment to reach tight spaces and edges where eggs or larvae may be tucked out of sight.
After vacuuming, wipe down shelves, drawers, rods, baseboards and surrounding surfaces. Removing dust, residue, webbing and overlooked debris helps make the area less hospitable and gives you a cleaner slate before replacing anything.
For an added layer of treatment, spray those areas with Six Feet Under®, a plant-powered kill-on-contact spray designed to help address remaining clothes moth or pantry moth eggs and larvae.
4. Set up moth traps
Moth traps help you monitor activity and begin interrupting the breeding cycle. Dr. Killigan’s pantry moth traps and clothes moth traps use pheromones to lure adult male moths onto a sticky surface. Once trapped, those males can no longer mate, which helps reduce future activity over time.
It is important to know what the traps are not designed to do. They attract adult male moths only. So if you still notice moths in flight, that does not necessarily mean the traps are failing. Female moths are not drawn to the trap, which is why traps work best alongside thorough cleaning, removal of infested materials and proper storage.
Place traps where moth activity is easiest to spot. For more guidance on placement, read Where do I place moth traps to get rid of moths.
Our traps are backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee, with help available for a replacement or refund.
5. Protect items from pests
From there, focus on making those areas less inviting going forward.
For seasonal clothing, store garments and other vulnerable fabrics in airtight bags or boxes. Choose a cool, dry storage area whenever possible and avoid places that run hot or humid, such as attics and basements.
For pantry protection, transfer dry goods into airtight glass or hard plastic containers. This helps protect pantry staples from pantry moths and other common pantry pests.
Tip: For pantry moths, inspect groceries before putting them away, especially anything boxed, bagged or lightly sealed. Clothes moths, by contrast, are more often introduced through secondhand or long-stored garments, rugs or other animal-based fabrics.
6. Be proactive. Use moth repellents, not mothballs
Once the immediate problem has been addressed, moth repellents can help protect the spaces moths tend to revisit.
Mothballs are a harsher option. Traditional mothballs release pesticide vapors and typically contain naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene. California lists naphthalene as a chemical known to cause cancer under Proposition 65 and naphthalene mothballs have been prohibited in the European Union since 2008. They can also be mistaken for candy by children or pets, which adds another reason to use care.
For clothes moths, Cedar Planks and Cedar Canisters provide ongoing protection powered by the natural terpenes in eastern red cedar. Those aromatic compounds make cedar a strong, natural repellent, helping discourage moths while fitting naturally into the spaces where vulnerable fabrics are kept. Cedar Planks are ideal for garments and closet-style storage, while Cedar Canisters work especially well in drawers, bins, cabinets, pantries and other tighter spaces.
Still not sure what you’re dealing with? That is more common than you might think. If the source remains hard to pin down, Dr. Killigan’s is here to help. Reach out by phone or email, and we’ll help you make sense of what you’re seeing.
Explore more
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Where do I place moth traps to get rid of moths?
(How to place traps more strategically so you can monitor activity and interrupt the breeding cycle.)
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How to get rid of and prevent pantry moths
(A practical next step if you’ve narrowed the problem down to pantry moths and want a more focused cleanup plan.) -
How to get rid of clothing moths
(A closer look at how to deal with clothes moths, protect natural fabrics and prevent further damage.) -
Are mothballs toxic? Dangers, flammability & safer alternatives
(Why many households are looking beyond mothballs and what to use instead for a gentler layer of protection.)
