Moths: the field card
The adult moth eats nothing: its larvae do the damage.
Card 09
Tineola bisselliella, Plodia interpunctella
In short
The clothes moth (Tineola bisselliella) is a small golden moth 6 to 7 mm long whose larvae eat wool, cashmere, silk and fur. The pantry moth (Plodia interpunctella), with two-tone wings, infests flour, cereals and dried fruit. In both cases you need to find the larval source, treat it and clean out the cupboard.
Clothes moths avoid light and fly poorly: you mostly see them scuttling over fabric or fluttering out of a wardrobe when it is opened. Their white larvae feed on keratin and prefer animal fibres, especially when stained with sweat or food.
Pantry moths, by contrast, happily fly around the kitchen in the evening. Their larvae spin silk threads inside packets and climb into cupboard corners to pupate. A single infested packet is enough to contaminate an entire pantry.
Tell-tale signs of moths
- 1Irregular holes in knitwear, fabric eaten under collars and in folds.
- 2Small whitish cases or cocoons and fine droppings on textiles.
- 3Silk threads and clumps in flour, cereals or dried fruit.
- 4Small moths in cupboards or on the kitchen ceiling.
Risk index
DeratiseurPRO rating, from 1 (low) to 5 (high).
- Health
- 1/5
- Damage
- 4/5
- Spread
- 3/5
The risks
- Loss of clothes, rugs and valuable textiles.
- Food that has to be thrown away.
- Re-infestation from larvae hidden in cupboard gaps and corners.
- Damage to stock in shops (textiles, groceries).
How we treat it
- 01
Detect
Species identification, search for the larval source and pheromone traps to measure activity.
- 02
Neutralise
Targeted treatment of cupboards, wardrobes and rugs with an authorised insecticide, plus advice on heat or cold treatment for textiles.
- 03
Lock
Sealing of gaps and corners in cupboards, storage in zipped covers or airtight boxes.
- 04
Monitor
Pheromone trap monitoring, follow-up check, photo report and written guarantee.
Prevention checklist
Simple habits that lower the risk of the intruder coming back.
- Store woollens clean, in closed garment bags.
- Air and take out clothes you rarely wear.
- Keep flour, rice and cereals in airtight jars.
- Check opened packets and clean cupboard corners.
Frequently asked questions
Are lavender or cedar wood enough?
They may keep some moths away, but they kill neither eggs nor larvae already there. With an infestation you have to find and treat the source.
How can I save an infested garment?
Wash it at the highest temperature the label allows, or seal it in a bag in the freezer for several days, then brush it before putting it away.
Do pheromone traps get rid of moths?
They mainly catch males and are used to measure the infestation. They don't replace treating the larvae.
Got moths at home?
Price shown before you book, 2-hour time slot, same-day photo report and written guarantee.