Clothes moths, carpet beetles, silverfish, and crickets are all attracted to various elements in your clothing. These pests find favorable conditions in closets and storage areas, where they can feed on clothing fibers and lay eggs undisturbed.

If you suspect a serious infestation or are unsure how to address fabric-eating bugs properly, contact Terminix for professional pest control assistance. Our technicians can conduct a thorough inspection, develop a customized treatment plan, and provide ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure the infestation is fully eradicated.

Common bugs that like to eat your clothes

Recognizing the bug damaging your clothes is crucial as each pest behaves differently and prefers specific conditions and materials. Identifying the culprit can help you determine the correct treatments and how to prevent bugs from eating clothes in the future.

bugs that eat clothes infographic

Clothes moths

Clothes moths are drawn to natural fibers such as wool, silk, fur, feathers, felt, cotton, and even leather. These bugs can also infest upholstery, rugs, and curtains. Clothes moths hide in dark, undisturbed areas like closets, drawers, and attics, where they can lay eggs on susceptible materials. Besides holes in fabrics, signs clothes moth are present can include:

  • Larvae casings: Tiny, sticky tubes on fabric and rugs

  • Crusty deposits: On rugs, drapes, and clothing

  • Fur shedding: Fur garments and accessories that shed excessively

  • Webbing residue: Slight webbing residue left in and around affected fabrics

If you notice any signs of clothes moths, contact Terminix! Our technicians will assess the situation and develop a moth control plan that eliminates these pests at every life stage.

clothing moth larvae on clothing

Carpet beetle

Carpet beetles are another fabric-eating bug that will dine on wool fabrics, fur, lint, feathers, hair, insect remains, and carpets. They hide in dark, secluded areas such as attics and closets. They also like areas where lint and pet hair tend to accumulate.

Carpet beetles and clothes moth damage are often confused with one another. Carpet beetles will damage a large area of a garment, while moths leave scattered small holes. Other signs of carpet beetle activity can include:

  • Holes in fabrics or thin, bare areas on wool rugs

  • Shed larval skins,often confused with bed bug shells

  • Small dark fecal pellets near damaged materials

  • Tiny beetles that are climbing walls or are dead near windowsills

Carpet beetle

Silverfish and Firebrats

Silverfish feed on book bindings, paper, wallpaper, and clothing. They tend to prefer cotton, linen, silk, and rayon. Silverfish are often found in basements, bathrooms, and closets. Signs of silverfish activity besides holes in fabrics may include:

  • Yellowish stains caused by their excrement

  • Tiny irregular holes in paper or fabric

  • Small, silvery scalesthat the insect sheds as they molt.

If you suspect you have a silverfish infestation, contact Terminix. Our technicians will thoroughly inspect your home and develop a tailored silverfish treatment plan.

Silverfish on material

Crickets

If a cricket finds its way into your home, it will eat various fabrics, such as clothing and carpeting. Wool, cotton, silk, synthetic materials, and garments soiled with sweat are particularly appealing to them. Crickets are nocturnal bugs that hide in dark, moist areas such as basements, kitchens, and under appliances.

Check for signs of large holes or chewed edges in clothing. Another sign that crickets are in your home is their loud chirping, which can also indicate an infestation. Terminix cricket control solutions can help eliminate crickets in your home and keep them away.

Cricket indoors

Getting rid of bugs in clothing

If you find fabric-eating bugs on your clothes, there are a few ways to eliminate them.

  • Remove infested items: Remove any infested clothing, linens, upholstery, or other fabric items from your home. Place them in sealed plastic bags to prevent the fabric-eating bugs from spreading to other areas.

  • Wash clothing: Wash infested items in hot water or have them dry-cleaned. The hot temperatures can help kill bugs that eat clothes and their eggs.

  • Freeze delicate items:Place items that cannot be washed in sealed plastic bags and freeze them for several days. Extremely cold temperatures can kill the pests and their eggs.

  • Deep clean closets:Use a vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment to reach into crevices and folds where insects that eat clothes may hide. Wipe down walls and baseboards to remove dust and dirt.

If these steps do not work to get rid of your infestation, it’s time to contact a professional.

How to help prevent bugs that eat clothes

To prevent bugs from eating your clothes, try these tips:

  • Store clothes properly: Use airtight containers or vacuum-sealed bags to store clothes when not in use.

  • Regularly clean your wardrobe:Regularly wash clothes to remove any food particles, sweat, or body oils that attract pests.

  • Inspect second-hand items:Thoroughly inspect for signs of pests before bringing them into your home.

  • Implement preventive measures:Seal cracks and crevices and repair screens on windows and doors.

  • Monitor for signs of infestation: Regularly inspect your clothes for signs of damage, holes, or insect activity. If you notice any of the above signs, quickly take action to address the infestation.

To protect your home year-round, consider PestFree3651, Terminix’s exclusive preventative pest control program that can help shield your home and family from many common household pests, including house crickets, clothes moths, and silverfish!

1 Covered Pests defined in your Plan. Autopay is required. Voles and fire ants are only covered if they are in the home; we will not treat the lawn. Home must be free of bed bugs during initial service to qualify for bed bug coverage under PestFree365+ Plan. Single-family, free-standing, owner occupied homes only. Other limitations apply. See Plan for details.