The fluttering grey moths you see on the landing in late September aren't the ones doing the damage — they're the adults, and they don't eat fabric at all. The damage is done by their larvae, which feed quietly for weeks or months on wool, silk, cashmere and natural-fibre carpets. Autumn is when last summer's larvae reach peak feeding size, and when next year's eggs are laid in the wardrobes you're about to close for winter.
Where moths actually live
Adult clothes moths avoid light. The real harbourage points are the dark, undisturbed places: the back of the wardrobe behind hanging coats, under heavy furniture sat on a wool rug, the felt underlay beneath an old fitted carpet, and the lining of stored suitcases. If you only ever check the visible front of a wardrobe, you'll miss them every time.
The autumn protection checklist
- Take everything out of wool-heavy wardrobes, vacuum the inside thoroughly — including corners and the top shelf — and wipe with a damp cloth.
- Wash or dry-clean any wool, silk or cashmere before storing it for winter; larvae prefer fabrics with sweat, food or perfume residues.
- Move large rugs and check the underside and the floor beneath; this is where larvae are easiest to spot.
- Hang pheromone monitor traps — they don't control an infestation, but they tell you within a fortnight whether you have one.
- Store seasonal items in sealed plastic boxes rather than soft cotton bags or open shelves.
When to call in help
If you find irregular bald patches in a wool rug, tiny case-like cocoons on skirting boards, or moths flying out whenever you open a particular cupboard, the infestation is already established. Professional treatment combines targeted insecticide with a residual that breaks the egg-to-adult cycle — DIY moth-killer sachets won't shift an established population, especially in fitted carpets where larvae hide in the underlay.