The essentials in 30 seconds
Homes usually have two kinds of moth: the clothes moth, whose larvae eat wool, fur, feathers and fabrics stained with food or sweat, and the pantry moth, which breeds in flour, cereals, nuts, dried fruit and pet food. If you see small larvae climbing the kitchen ceiling, the source is usually the larder. The fix is to find the source, wash, heat or freeze affected clothes or throw away infested food, vacuum thoroughly and store things in airtight containers. Pheromone traps show whether adults are still around.
- Swatting the moths you see does not solve the problem: the larvae do the damage.
- Check stored woollens and opened packets first.
- Moths do not eat wood: holes in wood are woodworm.
Clothes moth or pantry moth
| Feature | Clothes moth | Pantry moth |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | Small, plain gold or beige, flies little and hides | Two-tone wings (pale grey and coppery), flies around the kitchen |
| What the larva eats | Wool, cashmere, fur, feathers, wool carpets and rugs | Flour, cereals, pasta, rice, nuts, spices, pet food |
| Where | Wardrobes, drawers, rugs, upholstery | Larder, kitchen cupboards, kitchen ceiling |
| Signs | Holes in clothes, silken tubes, grazed fibres | Silky webbing in packets, clumps, larvae on lids and ceiling |
Why moth larvae appear on the ceiling
When pantry moth larvae finish feeding, they leave the packet and climb walls and ceilings to find a corner to spin a cocoon. That is why small white larvae or cocoons turn up in ceiling corners, door frames and cupboard hinges, sometimes far from the larder.
How to get rid of clothes moths step by step
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01
Empty the wardrobe
Take everything out, especially wool and clothes stored for a long time.
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02
Check each item
Look for holes, silken tubes and larvae in seams, collars and any stained areas, which attract them.
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03
Wash hot
Wash what you can at 50 °C or above for at least 20–30 minutes. Dry-clean wool that cannot be washed.
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04
Freeze delicate items
Seal them in a bag and leave them in the freezer for several days, then let them return to room temperature inside the bag.
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05
Vacuum thoroughly
Shelves, corners, skirting boards, rugs and under furniture. Empty the vacuum outside straight away.
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06
Clean the wardrobe
Wipe the inside and let it dry with the doors open.
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07
Store well
Put clean woollens and seasonal clothes in sealed bags or boxes.
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08
Monitor with traps
Pheromone traps catch male moths and tell you whether adults are still around.
How to get rid of pantry moths
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01
Check all dry food
Flour, breadcrumbs, cereals, pasta, rice, pulses, nuts, cocoa, spices and pet food.
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02
Throw out infested food
In a sealed bag, straight to the outside bin.
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03
Freeze doubtful packets
Packets nearby with no signs can spend a few days in the freezer.
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04
Empty and vacuum the cupboard
Get into slots, shelf-peg holes, hinges and top corners.
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05
Clean
Soapy water, then dry well before putting anything back.
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06
Airtight containers
Glass or plastic with sealed lids. Larvae get through paper, cardboard and thin plastic.
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07
Check the ceiling
Remove larvae and cocoons from corners and frames over the following weeks.
| Method | Use | Limits |
|---|---|---|
| Hot wash | Kills eggs and larvae in textiles | Only for washable items |
| Freezing | Delicate clothes and doubtful food | Takes several days |
| Vacuuming and cleaning | Removes hidden eggs and larvae | Needs repeating |
| Pheromone traps | Detect and catch male adults | Do not kill larvae |
| Cedar, lavender | Mild deterrent for adults | Limited effect; cedar loses strength over the years |
| Moth sprays | Protection for wardrobes | Use authorised products and follow the label |
How to keep moths away
- Store clothes clean: sweat and food stains attract the larvae.
- Air and check rarely opened wardrobes every few months.
- Brush and air woollens before storing them.
- In the kitchen, buy sensible amounts and use airtight containers.
- Check packets when you buy them: if there is webbing or clumps, return them.
When to call pest control
- Moths keep coming back after you have cleared the sources.
- Valuable rugs, upholstery or textile collections are affected.
- They appear in several rooms or in hard-to-reach places such as false ceilings.
Moths: frequently asked questions
Why do I have moths in my wardrobe?
Clothes moth larvae feed on wool and other animal fibres, especially if they are stained and stored for a long time.
What kills clothes moth larvae?
A hot wash, dry cleaning, or freezing in a sealed bag for several days, plus thorough vacuuming.
Why are there small larvae on my kitchen ceiling?
They are pantry moth larvae looking for somewhere to spin a cocoon. Check all dry food in the larder.
Do pheromone traps get rid of moths?
They catch males and show whether adults are still there, but the larvae still need cleaning, washing or freezing.
Does cedar keep moths away?
Only a little. Cedar oil affects small larvae and loses strength over time; an airtight container matters more.
Do moths eat wood?
No. Small holes with dust in wood are woodworm.
Sources
Official and university guidance, checked on 24 October 2026.
- University of California IPM · Clothes moths ↗Types, what larvae eat, washing at 120 °F (about 50 °C) for 20–30 minutes, freezing, pheromone traps and cedar.
- US EPA · Dos and don'ts of pest control ↗Safe use of insecticides at home.
Moths keep coming back?
Put out a pheromone trap for two weeks and note which rooms they appear in before asking for help.