If you find holes in your cotton clothing, don't automatically assume moths are responsible for it. Most insects prefer animal fibers to vegetable fibers, especially moths. While holes in cotton items are more likely to come from improper care, there are some insects that will devour fibers indiscriminately.
Types of Clothing Eating Moths
Moths themselves do not eat clothing. A female moth flutters about and finds a spot suitable to lay eggs. When those eggs hatch, the larvae, or caterpillars, of the moths devour clothing. There are only two types of moth larvae that have the ability to digest the fibers that clothing is made from.
Types of Moths
Tineola bisselliella, commonly called the webbing clothes moth, is the most recognized moth for destroying clothing. These moths are generally 1 to 2 inches wide, and light golden brown in color. Unlike most moths, webbing clothes moths do not like light, and will often hide in closets, undiscovered until a piece of clothing is damaged. The larva of the webbing moth are easy to identify as they are shiny and white with a darker head. Tinea pellionella, or the casemaking clothes moth, looks similar to the webbing clothes moth. It is darker and usually has spots on its wings. Much like its relative, this type of clothing moth does not like light and is rarely seen unless disturbed. Casemaking clothes moth larvae are harder to identify. When a casemaking moth larva is disturbed, it curls up into the case it weaves, blending in with the fabric it is attached to.
Do Moths Eat Cotton Clothing?
Moth larvae generally only feed of fibers that are of animal origin, wool, silk, cashmere, angora and similar. Cotton is a vegetable-based fiber and is usually safe from the ravaging mouths of moth larvae. The casemaking clothes moth will sometimes use cotton fibers to cocoon themselves when nothing else is available. Both moths will feed upon cotton clothing if it is blended with an animal fiber.
Bugs that Commonly Eat Cotton
Carpet beetles of the family Dermestidae are responsible for most damage to cotton or synthetic clothing. The larvae of these beetles have a voracious appetite, and will subsist on anything available, even dryer lint. Carpet beetle larvae can survive for weeks without any food source at all, and they are extremely persistent unless you use chemical means to eliminate them.
Getting Rid of Carpet Beetles
Any items that are infested with carpet beetles should be thrown out or destroyed. If this is not possible, freezing them for 48 hours is advised, or exposing them to temperatures above 120 degrees F for four or more hours is indicated. Clean your house or environment thoroughly, including all fibrous and non-fibrous surfaces. If you have a pet, pay special attention to areas where pet hair accumulates.
- Photo Credit Ajay Tallam, http://www.flickr.com/people/90417577@N00/
Do Silverfish Eat Clothes?
Silverfish don't directly eat clothing--they're more interested in what's in the fabric than the fabric itself. Nevertheless, they can do real damage...
How to Fix the Holes in a Suit From Moths
Moth moths usually only eat holes in clothing made of natural fibers, such as wool or cotton. They do this as they...
How to Stop Moths From Eating Wool Sweaters
There's nothing worse than opening your closet at the end of summer to find dozens of small holes all over your favorite...
How to Mend a Small Hole in Cotton Clothing
Small holes in cotton clothing often result from snagging or destructive moths and insects that eat tiny holes into the clothing typically...
How to Repair Clothing from Moth Holes
Although clothes moths will eat silk, fur, and felt clothing and bedding items, they are best known for making large, annoying holes...
How to Fix Holes in Cotton Shirts
Maybe your wedding ring got caught on your shirt. Or someone mistook your sleeve for an ashtray. Perhaps a family of moths...
Worms That Eat Clothes
It has probably happened to all of us at one time or another. You go into your dresser or closet to take...
What Is Eating My Clothes in My Closet?
Larvae from clothes moths and carpet beetles eat animal-based fabrics such as wool and fur. Other insects such as silverfish also eat...
Which Bugs Eat Fabric?
Larvae, not adult insects, generally are responsible for chewing holes in your favorite pieces of clothing. While these bugs feed mostly on...
Moth Prevention Home Remedy
Moths are insects with the unfortunate habit of eating natural fibers such as cotton, wool and silk. Nothing is worse than taking...