Which Bugs Eat Fabric?

Clothes Moths

• Two types of insects most commonly damage fabric. The first type is the clothes moth, of which there are two species, webbing clothes moth and the casemaking clothes moth. These two species resemble each other, both being yellowish-white in color. Moths usually lay 100 to 300 white eggs on clothing, furniture or in concealed places. Their larvae, which feast on the fabric, are white with brownish-black heads. The webbing clothes moth larvae lives and feeds under a silk webbing it spin on the fabric while the casemaking clothes moth larvae lives in a case made out of silk and fibers and carries the case as it travels to feed on fabric.

Carpet Beetles

• The other common pests responsible for damaging fabric are the four species of carpet beetles. The adult black carpet beetle has a black body with brown legs. The larvae's color ranges from yellow to gold to dark brown. The other three species of carpet beetle -- the carpet beetle, the furniture carpet beetle and the varied carpet beetle -- display mottled colors of white, brown, yellow and black. Elongated and oval in shape, their larvae are covered in brown or black bristles. Carpet beetle larvae travel to any place they can find fabric and live behind baseboards, cracks, air ducts, closets, shelves and dresser drawers.

Other Bugs

• Silverfish, crickets, other types of beetles and cockroaches also sometimes feed on fabrics. However, these insects aren't attracted so much to the fabric as a food source, but rather food, beverages or perspiration staining the clothing. As they eat the stains on the clothing they also consume the fabric it's attached to. You usually won't notice the damage these bugs inflict until you wash the garment.

Prevention and Treatment

• Prevent insects from feeding on your clothing. Wash all your clothing before storing them. Store your clothing with mothballs in an airtight container. However, don't let the mothballs touch the clothing since they sometimes discolor fabrics. The scent of mothballs generally don't kill insects but instead repel them. If you discover an infestation of fabric-eating insects, vacuum up the bugs, larvae and eggs. Wash any clothing they've come in contact with and spray the drawer, closet or area with an insecticide. Don't spray clothing with insecticides.