You reach for a favourite jumper and find a small, ragged hole. Then another. Clothes moths are easy to miss and hard to shift, because the moths you might glimpse aren't the ones doing the damage. Their larvae are, quietly, in the dark folds of your wardrobe.
This guide shows you how to confirm you have clothes moths, clear a wardrobe or cupboard step by step, and keep moths away using natural deterrents such as lavender, neem and cedar, without fear or fuss.
TL;DR: Moth damage is caused by larvae, so the fix is to find and remove them, clean where they hide, then stop them coming back. Empty and inspect the wardrobe, vacuum edges and crevices, wash or freeze affected items (English Heritage advises −18°C for at least two weeks), store clean woollens sealed, and use natural deterrents such as lavender, neem and cedar as a preventive layer, not a cure.
How to tell if you have clothes moths
The clearest signs are irregular holes in natural fibres, fine silk webbing, and tiny cases or gritty droppings tucked into seams and folds. You may also see small buff-coloured moths that scuttle away from the light rather than fly towards it.
The most common culprit in UK homes is the webbing clothes moth (Tineola bisselliella). English Heritage describes the adults as just 5–8 mm long. They scuttle more than they fly, and they shun light and hide in dark areas, which is why you rarely see them in open rooms. Look in the places they prefer:
- collars, cuffs and underarms of knitwear
- the folds of stored blankets and scarves
- the back corners and floor edges of wardrobes and drawers
- rugs or carpet under furniture that rarely moves
Signs to check for:
- Holes or thinning patches in wool, cashmere, silk, felt or fur
- Bare patches in carpet pile, often along skirting boards or under heavy furniture
- Silk webbing or tunnels across the fabric surface
- Small cases (the larvae's protective casings), often the same colour as the fabric
- Gritty specks (droppings) in folds
Which moth is it?
Not every small moth indoors is a clothes moth, and it helps to know which you're looking at.
- Webbing clothes moth: small, plain and buff or straw-coloured. This is the one that does most of the damage to clothes.
- Pale-backed clothes moth: darker, with a pale stripe down its back. English Heritage's survey recorded it 460 times, far more often than expected. It isn't yet clear whether it settles in buildings for good, or how much harm its larvae do to furnishings, so treat it as a warning sign and inspect.
- Pantry (food) moths: found in the kitchen near flour, cereals, nuts and dried fruit. They aren't interested in your jumpers.
If you're unsure, check where you found it. Clothes moths stay close to textiles; pantry moths stay close to dried food.
Why moths target your wardrobe
Clothes moth larvae feed on keratin, the protein in animal fibres, so wool, cashmere, silk, fur and feathers are their favourites. Once the eggs hatch, the larvae eat the fibres, which causes holes in clothes and bare patches in carpets. They prefer dark, quiet places where nothing gets moved.
A few things make an infestation more likely:
- Worn or soiled clothes put away unwashed. Traces of sweat and food make fibres more attractive.
- Undisturbed storage: winter woollens packed away for months, or the suit you wear twice a year.
- Warmth: one generation normally takes about a year, but up to three lifecycles can happen in a year in warm conditions (English Heritage). A well-heated home gives moths a longer season.
- Older homes: English Heritage's national survey found higher moth numbers in pre-1950 properties, which have more voids, fireplaces and attics than modern homes.
Moths are a real and regional problem. English Heritage launched Operation Clothes Moth in April 2017. Visitors to its sites collected about 5,000 traps, and results came back from homes in 42 counties. Its conservators had already seen webbing clothes moth numbers double over five years. The survey found a clear divide between the south and the north:
| Region | Average clothes moths per trap |
|---|---|
| London and South East | 23 |
| South West | 17 |
| West Midlands | 16 |
| East of England | 12 |
| North East | 6 |
| North West | 5 |
| East Midlands | 3 |
Source: English Heritage, Operation Clothes Moth survey results.
We're based in Suffolk, in the East of England, where the average was 12 moths per trap: about half the London figure, and four times the East Midlands.
Step by step: how to get rid of moths in a wardrobe or cupboard
Treat the wardrobe and the clothes together. Clearing one without the other lets larvae move straight back. Set aside an afternoon, and do the whole wardrobe in one go rather than a shelf at a time.
1. Empty everything and sort by fabric
Take every item out, including shoes, bags and anything on the top shelf. Separate natural animal fibres (wool, cashmere, silk, fur, feathers) from cottons and synthetics, which are much less at risk. Wool-blend items go in the at-risk pile.
2. Inspect and brush outdoors
In good daylight, check seams, collars, cuffs, pockets and folds. Brush each item firmly, ideally outside, to dislodge eggs and larvae. Set aside anything with live larvae or fresh webbing.
3. Vacuum thoroughly, then bin the dust outside
Vacuum the wardrobe's corners, shelf edges and hinges, and the carpet or floor underneath and behind it. English Heritage recommends emptying the vacuum's contents into a plastic bag, sealing it, and putting it in an outside bin, so larvae can't crawl back.
4. Wash or freeze affected items
- Wash at the hottest temperature the care label allows, or have the item dry-cleaned.
- Freeze items that can't be washed: seal them in freezer bags and freeze at −18°C for at least two weeks, which English Heritage advises to kill adults, eggs and larvae. Let items return to room temperature in the sealed bag to avoid condensation.
5. Wipe and dry shelves and drawers
Wipe surfaces with a damp cloth, paying attention to joints and the runners of drawers. Let everything dry completely before putting clothes back.
6. Monitor, don't just hope
Place a pheromone moth trap inside the wardrobe to see whether adult males are still active. Traps show whether a problem continues; they won't clear an infestation on their own. If you're still catching moths after a few weeks, repeat steps 2–4.
How to keep moths away naturally
Once the wardrobe is clean, prevention comes down to clean storage, regular disturbance, and natural scents as a deterrent layer.
- Only store clean clothes. Wash or dry-clean woollens before putting them away for the season. English Heritage's advice is to make sure clothes are clean before storing them.
- Seal long-term storage. English Heritage recommends vacuum bags or boxes with tight-sealing lids.
- Disturb what hangs. Take hanging items out and shake them at least once a month (English Heritage). Moths favour fabric that's left alone.
- Vacuum the edges. Run the vacuum around the bottom and edges of wardrobes regularly, not just the middle of the floor.
- Line drawers with a natural deterrent. Our lavender and neem scented drawer liners sit under folded knitwear, where moths like to settle. The same scent comes in the Heron design if you'd like a pattern.
- Hang a scented sachet among your clothes. A lavender and neem sachet keeps a steady scent between hanging coats and dresses.
- Add cedar where it helps. Cedar balls and rings suit coat pockets, hangers and storage boxes. Our guide explains whether cedar balls work and how to keep them fresh.
- Refresh scents regularly. Natural scents fade. Our scented drawer liners last 9–12 months, depending on airflow, temperature and how full the space is. Replace them as the fragrance weakens, and always alongside cleaning, not instead of it.
A wardrobe that smells stale is usually one that isn't being aired or disturbed, which suits moths too. If that's yours, our guide to musty wardrobe smells covers the airing side.
A routine for each kind of fabric
Different things in your home need different care. This is the routine we'd suggest:
| What you're protecting | Where it lives | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Jumpers and cardigans (wool, cashmere) | Folded in drawers | Wash before storing; line the drawer with a lavender and neem liner; refold and check every month or two |
| Coats, suits and dresses | Hanging in the wardrobe | Shake monthly; brush collars and cuffs; hang a scented sachet; keep the wardrobe floor clear and vacuumed |
| Blankets, throws and spare bedding | Stored for months | Wash first; seal in vacuum bags or lidded boxes; add cedar to the box |
| Silk, fur and anything too delicate to wash | Wardrobe or storage | Freeze in sealed bags at −18°C for two weeks if you see signs; store sealed |
| Wool rugs and carpets | Under beds and heavy furniture | Move the furniture and vacuum underneath; check the edges by the skirting |
New to drawer liners? Here's how to line drawers neatly.
Does lavender repel moths?
Lavender has been used for generations to help keep moths away from stored clothes. It is best used as a preventive layer, not as a treatment for an existing infestation.
That difference matters. A scent can make a drawer a less inviting place for a moth to settle, but it won't remove larvae that are already feeding. If you've found holes or webbing, clean first, then add the scent. And because natural scents fade, a sachet that no longer smells of anything is no longer doing its job.
| Deterrent | Best for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Lavender | Drawers, wardrobes, linen | Scent fades; replace when it weakens |
| Neem | Drawers and wardrobes, often paired with lavender | Earthy scent; a deterrent, not a killer |
| Cedar | Pockets, hangers, storage boxes | Refresh by lightly sanding or re-oiling as the scent weakens |
| Chemical moth balls | Sealed long-term storage | Strong odour and fumes; follow the label carefully |
The honest answer: natural repellents deter, they don't kill. Use them after you've cleaned and cleared, as part of a routine.
Natural vs chemical moth killers: what's safe at home?
Chemical sprays and moth balls work differently from natural deterrents, and they come with odours and handling precautions. Natural methods rely on cleaning, freezing, sealed storage and scent.
If you choose a chemical product, read and follow the label, ventilate the room, and keep it away from children and pets. If you prefer to avoid chemicals, especially in bedrooms and nurseries or with pets in the home, the physical steps above (vacuuming, washing, freezing, sealed storage) do the heavy lifting, with natural scents as the everyday deterrent.
Whichever you choose, the order is the same: clear the infestation first, then prevent the next one. A deterrent of any kind, natural or chemical, put into a wardrobe that still has larvae in it won't solve the problem.
If you have concerns about a specific product and your pets or family's health, check the manufacturer's guidance or ask your vet or GP.
When to call a professional
Call a pest professional if moths keep returning after two thorough clear-outs, or if carpets, upholstery, lofts or under-floor voids are involved. Large or hidden infestations, especially in older properties with voids and fireplaces, can need specialist treatment. Tell them what you've found and where; your trap counts are useful evidence.
Frequently asked questions
Does lavender repel moths? Lavender can help deter moths from settling on stored clothes, but it won't get rid of an existing infestation. Clean first, then use lavender as a preventive layer and replace it when the scent fades.
Does freezing kill clothes moths? Yes, when done properly. English Heritage advises sealing items in freezer bags at −18°C for at least two weeks to kill adults, eggs and larvae.
How long does it take to get rid of clothes moths? A thorough clear-out takes an afternoon, but plan to monitor for several weeks. Moth lifecycles vary with temperature, so repeat the inspection and cleaning if you still find signs.
Do moth traps get rid of moths? Pheromone traps mainly catch adult males and show whether moths are still active. They're a monitoring tool, not a cure.
Are natural moth repellents safe for pets? Physical methods such as vacuuming, washing, freezing and sealed storage are the gentlest approach. With any scented product, keep it out of pets' reach and check the product guidance.
Protect what you love, naturally
- Moth damage is done by larvae, so find and remove them.
- Clean, wash or freeze, and vacuum, then bin the dust outside.
- Store clean, seal long-term storage, and shake hanging clothes monthly.
- Use lavender, neem and cedar as a natural deterrent layer, and replace them as the scent fades.
Explore our Natural Moth Repellent collection: British-made drawer liners with lavender and neem, in designs you'll be glad to open every day.
Sources: English Heritage, Understanding clothes moth infestations; English Heritage, Operation Clothes Moth survey results. Last reviewed: October 2026.
