What do clothes moths like to eat. In fact they couldnt if they wanted to as they dont have mouthparts with which to feed. These moths are generally 1 to 2 inches wide and light golden brown in color. The adult casemaking and webbing clothes moths dont damage your clothes at all. The holes you find in your clothes are actually from hungry baby moths eager to fill up.
Do moths eat clothes. Their larvae do however and they like to feed on the natural fibers of your wardrobe. As for moths themselves they mostly eat plant matter like leaf fibers in their caterpillar larvae stage. Two species the case making clothes moth tinea pellionella and the webbing clothes moth tineola biselliell.
Tineola bisselliella commonly called the webbing clothes moth is the most recognized moth for destroying clothing. Clean clothes that may be affected and consider spraying your more valuable clothes with anti moth spray to repel moths and eggs. The moths that do eat still get most of their energy from what they stored as caterpillars. Adult moths lack the mouthparts needed to eat your clothing lint.
The tineola bisselliella or clothes moths and the tinea pellionella or casemaking clothes moth are two such species. It is the larvae which hatch from the sticky eggs that eat wool hair fur or feathers. Unlike most moths webbing clothes moths do not like light and will often hide in closets undiscovered until a piece of clothing is damaged. There are a few varieties you may discover munching on the natural fibers found in woolen clothing and soft cashmere.
Moths are often called textile pests but as mentioned its not the moths who eat clothes but rather the larvae or caterpillars. Adults can only drink liquids and prefer those that are high in sugars like nectar sap and fruit juices. What do moths eat. Adult clothes moths actually do no damage when feeding.
But heres the thing. Kill moths eggs and larvae using killer sprays. Both types of moths eat natural fibers found in clothing carpet drapes upholstery and bedding. While those are their favorite foods moths will also drink fluids from rotting fruits liquid from manure and other poop and they will even drink.
The webbing clothes moth tineola bisselliell and casemaking clothes moth tinea pellionella.