Identify Your Pest Flying insects Webbing clothes moth
Webbing clothes moth
Tineola bisselliella · Also called: Clothes moth, clothing moth
The webbing clothes moth is a small golden moth whose larvae chew holes in woollens, furs, silk and other animal-based materials. It hides in dark closets, storage bins and under furniture, so damage is often found before the moths are seen.
Size 6 to 7 mm long; wingspan 12 to 16 mm
Colour Plain golden buff with a satin sheen and no spots
Key feature Tuft of reddish gold hair on the head of a plain golden, unspotted moth
Season Year round indoors in heated homes
Where Closets, storage boxes, wool rugs, under heavy furniture and in attics
What it looks like
Adult webbing clothes moths are small, about 6 to 7 mm long. The wings are a plain, shiny golden buff with no spots. Look for a tuft of reddish gold hair on top of the head. The moths avoid light. They tend to flutter low or run into folds of fabric rather than fly to lamps.
The larvae do the damage. They are creamy white caterpillars with a brown head, up to about 12 mm long. They spin silk patches and tunnels across the fabric as they feed. Look for these silky trails, small holes and tiny droppings that are often the same colour as the fabric.
Often confused with
Indian meal moth
Casemaking clothes moth
Carpet beetle larva
Signs to look for
Irregular holes in wool
Silk webbing or tunnels
Small golden moths
Cocoons in hidden spots
Bare patches in rugs
Risks and damage
Clothes moths do not bite, sting or spread disease. The harm is to property. Wool sweaters, fur coats, down pillows, felt hats, wool rugs and heirloom blankets are the usual targets. Items that are dirty or packed away for years suffer the most. Plant-based and man-made fabrics are mostly left alone, unless they contain some wool or carry food or sweat stains that the larvae will graze on.
In Alberta
Webbing clothes moths live indoors, so heated Alberta homes can host them in any season. They turn up now and then in Edmonton, Calgary and across the province, most often in stored wool, fur and vintage items. Carpet beetles cause similar fabric damage, so a close look matters.
Very few animals can digest keratin, the tough protein in hair, wool and feathers. Clothes moth larvae can, thanks to an unusual gut that breaks the strong chemical bonds holding keratin together.
How to keep them out
Clean before storing
Store in sealed containers
Vacuum hidden spots
Air out stored items
Freeze small items
When it is time to bring in a professional
Call a professional if you find new damage after cleaning and storing items well. The same goes if moths appear in several rooms, or if valuable rugs, furs or collections are at risk. Technica’s licensed technicians can confirm whether moths or carpet beetles are the cause and find where they are breeding.
Frequently asked questions
Do adult clothes moths eat clothing?
No. Adult webbing clothes moths do not feed at all. Only the larvae chew on fabric. Seeing a few adults means larvae are feeding, or were feeding, somewhere nearby.
Why do clothes moths damage some items and not others?
The larvae mostly feed on things that come from animals, such as wool, fur, down and silk. That is why a wool sweater gets holes while the cotton shirt beside it does not. Food and sweat stains make any item more tempting, so wash clothes before you store them.
Do cedar closets keep clothes moths away?
Cedar oil may affect young larvae when the wood is fresh, but the scent fades over time. It is not a reliable way to protect wool on its own. A clean item in a tightly sealed container matters more.