Small holes in a wool jumper, fine webbing in a bag of flour, or little brown moths fluttering around the kitchen at night are all signs of the same kind of problem. If you want to know how to get rid of moths, the first step is to work out which type you have, because clothes moths and pantry moths live in different places and need different treatment. This guide explains how to tell them apart, how to clear an infestation with cleaning and good storage, and which deterrents are worth using.

In both cases, it is the larvae, the small caterpillars, that do the damage. The adult moths you see flying around are the visible end of a problem that is usually hidden in a drawer, a wardrobe corner or the back of a kitchen cupboard.

The approach is the same for both: find the source, remove or treat what is infested, clean thoroughly, and store things so the moths cannot get back in. Sprays on their own rarely solve it.

Clothes moths or pantry moths? How to tell

Clothes moths

According to the University of Maryland Extension’s guide to clothes moths, the adults are small and yellowish, with narrow fringed wings. They do not feed; it is the larvae, small white caterpillars with brown heads, that eat fabric. One common type, the webbing clothes moth, spins silk tubes over the fabric it is feeding on. Another, the casemaking clothes moth, carries a small case made from fibres and is rarely seen. Washington State University adds that clothes moths avoid light, so items stored in dark places are more likely to be attacked.

Signs to look for include:

irregular holes in wool, cashmere, felt, fur or feather items;
bare, grazed patches on the surface of knits or rugs;
fine silky webbing or tiny cases on fabric, especially in folds, under collars and along seams;
small moths that flutter away from wardrobes rather than towards lights.

Pantry moths

The most common pantry moth is the Indian meal moth. Clemson University’s fact sheet on the Indian meal moth describes the adults as brownish, with front wings that are reddish brown on the outer part and grey nearer the body. Signs include:

small moths flying erratically in the kitchen, often in the evening;
pale caterpillars crawling on counters, walls or even the ceiling;
clumps of webbing in food packets, particularly around the top of bags and in corners;
infested grains, flour, cereals, nuts, dried fruit, spices, chocolate, dried chillies and pet food.

If you are seeing tiny, fuzzy moth-like insects around the bathroom or kitchen sink instead, those are more likely to be drain flies, which breed in the slimy film inside drains. Regularly scrubbing drain covers and flushing drains removes their breeding ground.

What attracts fabric-eating moths

The larvae feed on animal fibres, such as wool, cashmere, mohair, fur, feathers and felt, because they can digest keratin, the protein those fibres are made of. Blends that contain wool are also at risk. The University of Maryland notes that larvae particularly favour soiled items, because stains from food, sweat and body oils provide nutrients they need. Clean fabric is far less attractive.

That is why moth damage often appears on clothes stored after a single wear, on winter coats packed away after an overseas trip, and on wool rugs under heavy furniture where the vacuum rarely reaches. In Singapore, where many families keep winter wear and woollens in storage for most of the year, those forgotten items are a common source.

How to get rid of moths in your wardrobe, step by step

Empty the wardrobe or drawers completely. Take everything out, including shoes, bags and boxes.
Inspect every item in good light. Pay attention to wool, cashmere, felt and anything with feathers or fur. Check seams, folds, cuffs and collars for webbing, cases and larvae.
Separate the infested items. Put them in sealed plastic bags immediately so larvae and eggs do not spread while you work.
Wash or dry clean. The University of Maryland advises that dry cleaning kills all life stages, and that hand washing woollens with mild soap should also kill the insects. Wash washable items according to the care label. Our guide to hand washing clothes explains how to handle wool and delicates safely.
Vacuum thoroughly. Vacuum inside the wardrobe, especially corners, shelf edges, cracks and the floor beneath it. Washington State University’s fact sheet on casemaking clothes moths stresses vacuuming the places moths hide, including rugs, curtains, furniture cushions and wardrobes. Empty the vacuum or dispose of the bag outdoors straight away.
Wipe down the wardrobe. Clean the shelves and rails with a damp cloth and mild detergent, then let the wardrobe dry completely with the doors open. In our humid climate, a closed, damp wardrobe invites mould as well as moths.
Check rugs and soft furnishings. Look under wool rugs and along the edges of upholstered furniture. Our carpet cleaning guide covers deep cleaning rugs.
Put back only clean items, stored as described below.

Washington State University notes that pesticide sprays are not an effective way to solve the problem on their own; sanitation and removing the source are what last. If the infestation is widespread or keeps returning, engage a pest control company registered with NEA. NEA publishes a list of registered operators on its vector control operator page. Femme5 does not provide pest control.

Storing clothes so moths cannot return

Clean before storing. Wash or dry clean woollens and winter wear before putting them away, even if they have only been worn once.
Use sealed containers. Store clean woollens in airtight plastic boxes or zipped garment bags. The University of Maryland recommends sealed boxes for cleaned woollens.
Keep storage dry. Add moisture absorbers to wardrobes and boxes, and air them regularly. Damp clothes in storage also attract mould; see our guide on cleaning mouldy clothes if that has already happened.
Disturb things now and then. Moths prefer dark, undisturbed spots. Take stored items out every few months, shake them and air them.
Vacuum regularly inside wardrobes and under furniture, so lint, hair and dust do not build up.

Natural deterrents: what helps and what does not

Deterrents are popular, but they are no substitute for cleaning and sealed storage.

Cedar. The University of Maryland says cedar chests, blocks or cedar-lined closets offer some protection. Treat cedar as an extra layer, not the main defence.
Lavender and herbal sachets. These are pleasant and harmless, but we have not found official guidance confirming they prevent infestations, so do not rely on them alone.
Mothballs and moth flakes. The University of Maryland advises using these only as a last resort, and only in sealed containers. Products containing naphthalene work as fumigants, and their vapours can cause toxic reactions in sensitive people. It also advises avoiding products with paradichlorobenzene. Keep any such product away from children and pets, never put it in open wardrobes or near bedding, and air clothes thoroughly before wearing them. Naphthalene is a particular danger for anyone with G6PD deficiency: the National University Hospital’s G6PD deficiency guide lists mothballs among the items they must avoid for life, so do not use them in a home with a G6PD-deficient baby or family member. If a child swallows a mothball, see a doctor immediately, or call 995 if they are unwell.

Getting rid of pantry moths in the kitchen

Empty the affected cupboard. Take out every food item, including unopened packets, because larvae can chew into cardboard and thin packaging.
Inspect and sort. Look for webbing, larvae, clumped food and small holes. Clemson University advises identifying all infested food and either throwing it out or freezing it.
Dispose of infested food properly. Seal it in a bag and take it straight to the refuse chute or an outdoor covered bin.
Vacuum the shelves, paying attention to corners, cracks, shelf supports and hinges where larvae hide and pupate.
Wipe and dry. Wipe shelves with a cloth and mild detergent, then dry them thoroughly before restocking. Clemson notes that leaving shelves wet can leave a sticky residue that attracts the pest. Our guide to cleaning kitchen cabinets covers different cabinet finishes.
Restock in sealed containers. Store grains, flour, cereals, nuts, dried fruit and pet food in insect-proof containers with tight-fitting lids.

To prevent a repeat, buy dry goods in packets without damage, buy only what you will use within a few months, and use older stock first. Clemson suggests freezing grain products for three days after purchase as a precaution. Do not spray insecticides on shelves where food, cookware or utensils are kept.

Safety when cleaning up after moths

Do not use insecticide sprays on clothes, bedding or food storage areas.
If you use any cleaning product, follow the label, wear gloves and ventilate the room. NEA’s guidelines for cleaning residences stress preparing products according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Never mix bleach with ammonia or acids such as vinegar, as this can release harmful gases.
Test any cleaner on a hidden part of the wardrobe or cabinet first.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fastest way to get rid of clothes moths?

Remove everything from the wardrobe, bag and wash or dry clean any infested items, vacuum every corner, wipe and dry the wardrobe, and return only clean clothes stored in sealed containers, because cleaning and removing the source work better than sprays.

Do clothes moths eat cotton?

The larvae mainly eat animal fibres such as wool, cashmere, fur and feathers, and wool blends, but they may damage other fabrics that are heavily soiled with food or sweat, so keep stored clothes clean.

Are mothballs safe to use at home?

Mothballs should be a last resort, used only inside sealed containers and kept away from children and pets, because the vapours from naphthalene products can cause toxic reactions in sensitive people, and people with G6PD deficiency must avoid naphthalene altogether.

Why do I have moths in my kitchen?

Moths in the kitchen are usually pantry moths that arrived in a packet of grains, flour, nuts, dried fruit, spices or pet food, and they spread to other foods that are not stored in sealed, insect-proof containers.

Does Femme5 provide moth treatment?

No, Femme5 does not provide pest control, but our cleaners can help with thorough cleaning of wardrobes and kitchen cabinets, and a pest control company registered with NEA can deal with a severe or recurring infestation.

Conclusion

Moths are a storage and cleanliness problem more than a spraying problem. Identify whether you have clothes moths or pantry moths, find and remove the source, clean wardrobes and cupboards thoroughly, and store clothes and food in sealed containers. Keep stored woollens clean and dry, and check them every few months.

With those habits in place, most households can clear both types without strong chemicals, and call in a registered pest control company only if the problem keeps coming back.

A thorough wardrobe and kitchen clean-out is a good place to start. If you would rather not do it yourself, our cleaning service handles weekly upkeep and our deep cleaning team takes on the bigger jobs. Get a quote from Femme5.

The Femme5 Team
Home cleaning team, Femme5 Agency
Femme5 provides part-time home cleaning, deep cleaning and post-renovation cleaning for HDB flats, condominiums and landed homes across Singapore.

Femme5 Cleaning Team

Written by the home cleaning team at Femme5 Agency Pte Ltd, which provides part-time home cleaning, deep cleaning and post-renovation cleaning across Singapore.

How to Get Rid of Moths in Wardrobes and Kitchen Cupboards