Three quite different insects get called 'little moths'. Which one you have decides whether the problem is your carpet, your jumpers, or a bag of flour.
Most likely carpet moths, clothes moths, or pantry moths. Carpet and clothes moths eat keratin — wool, silk, fur; pantry moths eat dry food and have nothing to do with textiles.
Where you see them is the best clue. Bedroom and landing points to textiles; kitchen and larder points to food.
| Carpet moth | Clothes moth | Pantry moth | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6–8mm | 6–8mm | 8–10mm |
| Colour | Buff or golden, often mottled | Plain golden | Two-tone, pale and coppery |
| Behaviour | Runs, scuttles, flutters low | Runs, avoids light | Flies more readily |
| Where | Carpet edges, under furniture | Wardrobes, drawers | Kitchen cupboards |
| Larvae eat | Carpet, rugs, underlay | Clothing, wool, fur | Flour, cereal, nuts, dried fruit |
| What to do | Treat the room | Treat the wardrobe and room | Empty the cupboard |
The behaviour is the quickest tell. A textile moth runs across a surface and flutters awkwardly. A moth that flies confidently around a light is usually neither.
People often have carpet moths and clothes moths at once. They are close relatives with the same taste, and a wardrobe standing on a wool carpet suits both.
£180 for the first room, £60 for each additional. Published, up to four rooms.
View Carpet Moth Control Pinner →No. Adults do not feed. They mate and lay eggs, and the larvae do everything else.
Central heating means they breed year round, and activity is usually most obvious in spring and late summer.
Not necessarily. Several over days, or any damage, means look properly.
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Most likely carpet moths or clothes moths. Both eat keratin — wool, silk and fur. Pantry moths are a kitchen problem and unrelated to textiles.
Behaviour is the quickest tell. Textile moths run across surfaces and flutter low, avoiding light. A moth that flies confidently around a light is usually neither.
No. Adults do not feed. The larvae do all the damage.
Under the bed and wardrobe, along the perimeter under the skirting, inside the wardrobe at folds and collars, and under any bedside rug.
Small irregular holes in wool, concentrated at folds, collars, cuffs and armpits where body oils remain.
Wash at 60°C what will take it, and freeze the rest in a sealed bag for 72 hours, then vacuum or brush it.
No. They catch adult males and are useful for identifying the species and monitoring, but females and larvae are unaffected.
Yes, and it is common. They are close relatives, and a wardrobe standing on a wool carpet suits both.
Photograph one and tell us where you saw it. Carpet, clothes and pantry moths mean three different jobs.
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