Moths

Moths are found worldwide wherever food is stored.

Clothing Moths

Clothing moths are attracted to cotton, linen, silk, wool, feathers and fur that contains human sweat or liquid residue from something spilled on them. The larvae consume the moist “food”, spin a cocoon and emerge 4 to 8 weeks later as an adult moth (which do not feed on fabrics, etc.). The clothing moth is often mistaken for the Indian meal moth, a common pantry pest, which can be seen during daylight, unlike the clothing moth which avoids the light.

Indian Meal Moths

Indian meal moths cocoon in ceiling and wall crevices, usually in the kitchen or nearby rooms. Only the larvae feed on such food as dried fruits, grains, seeds, nuts, chocolate, candies, bird seed, dog food and powdered milk. The adults don’t feed. The appearance of flying moths is an indication of a breeding population of larvae in some type of stored food.