Do clothes moths eat cotton or synthetic clothes?

Generally no. Clothes moth larvae need keratin, which is found in animal fibres: wool, cashmere, silk, fur, leather and feathers. Pure cotton, linen and synthetics are usually safe unless blended with wool or heavily soiled with protein stains.

What's the difference between clothes moths and pantry moths?

They're completely different species. Clothes moths (Tineola bisselliella) eat fabric and live in wardrobes. Pantry moths (Plodia interpunctella) eat dry food and live in kitchens. If you see moths in both places, you likely have two separate infestations.

Traditional mothballs (naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene) do kill moths but are toxic to humans and pets, and increasingly restricted. Modern alternatives — pheromone traps, airtight storage, regular disturbance and cedar — are safer and usually sufficient.

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Clothes Moths in Your Wardrobe: How to Save Your Knitwear and Stop Them Returning

Clothes moths (Tineola bisselliella and Tinea pellionella) are a very different beast from the pantry moths that infest your kitchen. They don't eat food — they eat fabric. And they're far more destructive than their size suggests: a single female can lay 40–50 eggs in a few days, and the larvae can stay hidden in a folded jumper for months, quietly eating their way through wool, cashmere, silk, fur and even leather.

Essex homes — with their mix of period properties, fitted wardrobes in alcoves, and centrally heated bedrooms kept at a steady 18–21°C year-round — provide ideal conditions. Here's how to spot them early, clear an active infestation, and keep your clothes safe.