Moths in the house can be more than just a nuisance—they damage fabrics, contaminate food, and spread quickly. This guide covers 10 common types of moths found indoors, including how to identify them, where they live, how to get rid of them, and their life cycles. Learn how to keep your home moth-free with simple prevention and control tips.
1. Indian Meal Moth
The Indian Meal Moth is one of the most common household pests, especially in kitchens and pantries. Known for infesting stored food products like grains, cereals, flour, and dried fruits, this small moth is a major nuisance for homeowners. Although harmless to humans, its presence signals contaminated food that must be discarded.
Identification
- Wingspan: 16–20 mm
- Forewings: Reddish-brown with a coppery sheen on the outer half
- Hindwings: Pale gray
- Larvae: Cream-colored with a brown head, about 12 mm long
Where It Lives
Indian Meal Moths thrive in kitchens, pantries, and food storage areas. They often lay eggs near dry food products such as rice, flour, nuts, and cereal boxes.
How to Get Rid of Indian Meal Moths
Clean all pantry shelves thoroughly and remove infested food items. Use airtight containers for food storage. Vacuum cracks and crevices and consider using pheromone traps to monitor or reduce their population.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
Females lay 100–400 eggs directly on food. The larvae hatch within days and feed for 2–3 weeks before pupating. The full cycle, from egg to adult, takes about 1 to 2 months depending on temperature and food availability.
2. Pantry Moth
Pantry Moth is a general term often used for Indian Meal Moths and similar species that infest stored food products. They are a persistent pest in homes, especially where grains and dried goods are kept. Though not dangerous, they cause significant food waste.
Identification
- Wingspan: Around 18–20 mm
- Forewings: Grayish near the base and reddish-brown at the tips
- Larvae: White to pinkish, about 12 mm long
Where It Lives
Pantry Moths live in food storage spaces, especially cupboards and shelves where grains, cereals, and dried fruits are kept.
How to Get Rid of Pantry Moths
Dispose of contaminated food and clean pantry surfaces with soap and water. Seal all food in tight containers and place pheromone traps to catch adult moths.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
Eggs hatch in a few days, and larvae feed for about 2–3 weeks before pupating. The full cycle completes in 4–6 weeks under warm conditions.
3. Clothes Moth
Clothes Moths are known for damaging fabrics made from animal fibers like wool, silk, and fur. They avoid light and are often found in dark closets or under furniture. It’s not the adult moths, but the larvae that feed on fabrics.
Identification
- Wingspan: 9–16 mm
- Color: Pale golden or beige
- Larvae: Cream-colored with a dark head, up to 10 mm long
Where It Lives
They dwell in closets, wardrobes, attics, and storage areas with wool, fur, or feathers. They avoid light and prefer undisturbed areas.
How to Get Rid of Clothes Moths
Vacuum and clean fabric storage areas. Wash or dry clean clothes before storing. Use cedar, lavender sachets, or mothballs as deterrents.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
Females lay 30–200 eggs on fabric. Larvae feed for several weeks to months, depending on temperature and humidity, before forming cocoons and emerging as adult moths.
4. Brown House Moth
The Brown House Moth is a common indoor pest found in kitchens, basements, and storage areas. Though less destructive than clothes moths, its larvae feed on a wide range of organic materials, including food crumbs, wool, and feathers.
Identification
- Wingspan: 15–26 mm
- Color: Bronze-brown with dark flecks on the wings
- Larvae: Cream-colored with a brown head, around 15 mm long
Where It Lives
It resides in dark, undisturbed areas of the house such as basements, closets, and storage boxes, especially near fabrics or old food debris.
How to Get Rid of Brown House Moths
Regular vacuuming, especially in corners and under furniture, helps reduce infestations. Remove old food and clean textile storage areas. Use moth traps to monitor adult activity.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
Females lay eggs in cracks, crevices, or directly on food or fabric. Larvae develop over several months, especially in cool conditions, and pupate before emerging as adults.
5. White-Shouldered House Moth
White-Shouldered House Moths are mostly harmless but can be a nuisance. They are attracted to light and commonly found fluttering around homes, especially at night.
Identification
- Wingspan: 10–14 mm
- Color: Mottled gray-brown with a distinct white head and “shoulders”
- Larvae: Pale cream with brown head, small in size
Where It Lives
This moth is often found in kitchens, near ceilings, windows, or light sources, and in storage rooms with old fabrics or food crumbs.
How to Get Rid of White-Shouldered House Moths
Clean light fixtures, vacuum storage areas, and eliminate sources of food and fabric debris. Sealing entry points can also help limit new infestations.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
Eggs are laid in hidden crevices. Larvae feed for 1–2 months before pupating. Adults may live for several weeks, often seen flying around lights.
6. Case-Bearing Clothes Moth
The Case-Bearing Clothes Moth is named for the silken case that its larvae create and carry as they feed. These moths target natural fibers like wool, fur, feathers, and even hair, making them a threat to stored clothing and textiles.
Identification
- Wingspan: 9–16 mm
- Color: Brownish-gray with three dark spots on each forewing
- Larvae: Cream-colored with a brown head, enclosed in a portable case
Where It Lives
These moths prefer dark, undisturbed places like closets, storage bins, or under furniture where natural fibers are stored.
How to Get Rid of Case-Bearing Clothes Moths
Thoroughly clean fabric storage areas and vacuum carpets and furniture. Discard infested items, or wash and heat-treat them. Use pheromone traps to capture adults.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
The larvae can live for several months depending on conditions. They build cases early and enlarge them as they grow. Pupation occurs within the case, and adults emerge to mate and lay eggs on suitable fabric.
7. Common Webbing Clothes Moth
The Common Webbing Clothes Moth is the most notorious species for fabric damage. Unlike many moths, adults avoid light and are rarely seen flying. The larvae spin silk webbing as they feed on natural fibers.
Identification
- Wingspan: 12–16 mm
- Color: Uniform golden or beige with no markings
- Larvae: White with a brown head, often seen with silk webbing
Where It Lives
They hide in dark areas like closets, drawers, wardrobes, and storage containers with wool, cashmere, and fur.
How to Get Rid of Common Webbing Clothes Moths
Clean and vacuum affected areas thoroughly. Freeze or heat infested clothing. Use airtight bags for storage and apply natural repellents like cedar or lavender.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
Females lay 40–50 eggs on suitable fabric. Larvae spin silk tunnels or mats and feed for 1–3 months before pupating. The adult moths live for 2–3 weeks, focusing solely on reproduction.
8. Mediterranean Flour Moth
The Mediterranean Flour Moth is a common pest in homes and food-processing areas. It infests flour and other grains, often clogging machinery in industrial settings. In households, it contaminates stored food products with webbing and droppings.
Identification
- Wingspan: 20–25 mm
- Forewings: Pale gray with dark wavy lines
- Larvae: White to pinkish, about 15–20 mm long
Where It Lives
This moth is found in pantries, food cabinets, and flour containers. It thrives in warm, humid places where flour, grain, or bran is stored.
How to Get Rid of Mediterranean Flour Moths
Dispose of all infested food, clean pantry shelves thoroughly, and store grains in airtight containers. Use pheromone traps to catch and monitor adult moths.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
Eggs hatch in a few days. Larvae feed on flour and grains for 2–3 weeks before pupating. The complete life cycle takes about 4–6 weeks under optimal conditions.
9. Tobacco Moth
Tobacco Moths are known for infesting tobacco products, but they can also be found in dried herbs, grains, and stored food. They are occasionally found in homes where such products are stored.
Identification
- Wingspan: 12–20 mm
- Color: Light brown to gray with faint dark spots on the wings
- Larvae: Cream to yellowish with a brown head, up to 13 mm long
Where It Lives
These moths live in storage areas where tobacco, dried herbs, spices, or old grain products are kept. They are more common in warehouses but occasionally enter homes.
How to Get Rid of Tobacco Moths
Remove infested products and clean storage areas. Use airtight containers and install pheromone traps. Regular inspection of dry goods helps prevent infestations.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
Females lay eggs on or near dried plant material. Larvae feed for 3–4 weeks and then pupate. Adults emerge within 1–2 weeks, completing the cycle in 5–7 weeks.
10. Rice Moth
The Rice Moth is a common pest in tropical and subtropical regions, often infesting stored grains such as rice, corn, and wheat. It can become a household nuisance when grains are improperly stored or left for long periods.
Identification
- Wingspan: 18–22 mm
- Forewings: Light brown to gray with a coppery sheen
- Larvae: Cream to pinkish-white with a brown head, about 15 mm long
Where It Lives
Rice Moths live in pantries, food storage cabinets, and grain containers. They prefer warm, humid environments where rice and similar grains are stored.
How to Get Rid of Rice Moths
Discard infested grain products, thoroughly clean storage areas, and store dry goods in airtight containers. Use pheromone traps to monitor and reduce moth presence.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
Females lay up to 160 eggs directly on grains. Larvae feed for 2–3 weeks, pupate inside food materials, and adults emerge after a few days. The full life cycle typically takes 30–40 days under favorable conditions.
FAQs
1. What attracts moths to my house?
Moths are typically attracted to light, food sources like grains or flour, and natural fibers such as wool or fur. Poor storage conditions and lack of regular cleaning can make a home more inviting to them.
2. Are house moths harmful to humans?
House moths are not directly harmful to humans—they don’t bite or sting. However, they can cause food contamination or fabric damage, leading to economic losses.
3. How do I know if I have a moth infestation?
Signs of infestation include seeing adult moths flying indoors, finding larvae or cocoons in stored food or fabric, noticing webbing in pantry items, or discovering holes in clothes.
4. Can I use natural methods to repel moths?
Yes, natural repellents like cedarwood, lavender sachets, and bay leaves can help deter moths. Regular cleaning and proper food/fabric storage are also crucial.
5. How long do house moths live?
The adult lifespan of house moths varies by species but generally lasts from a few days to a few weeks. However, their entire life cycle—from egg to adult—can range from 1 to 3 months depending on conditions
