While moths themselves aren't dangerous to humans (they don't bite, sting, or transmit diseases), they can cause significant property damage. Clothing moths can destroy valuable garments, upholstery, and carpeting made from natural fibers. Pantry moths contaminate food products, making them unsuitable for consumption and potentially causing financial loss. Though not a direct health threat, some people may experience allergic reactions to moth scales or droppings.

Moths don't actually eat clothing—their larvae do. Clothing moth larvae specifically feed on keratin, a protein found in natural animal fibers like wool, silk, fur, feathers, and leather. They're particularly attracted to items soiled with food stains, sweat, or body oils, which provide additional nutrients. The larvae need these proteins to develop properly, which is why they don't typically damage synthetic fabrics like polyester or nylon unless they're blended with natural fibers.

Moths enter homes through various pathways: flying in through open doors and windows; being carried in on infested items (secondhand clothing, furniture, or food products); entering through small cracks and gaps in the building's exterior; or coming in attached to plants, firewood, or other outdoor items. Once inside, they seek out favorable conditions: dark, undisturbed areas with suitable food sources. Pantry moths often enter in infested food packages, while clothing moths might come in on used clothing or furniture.

Moths have a four-stage lifecycle: egg (female moths lay 30-300 eggs on or near food sources); larva (the hatched caterpillar-like larvae do all the feeding and damage); pupa (after feeding, larvae spin cocoons and transform); and adult (emerging adults mate and lay eggs to restart the cycle). The entire lifecycle can take 1-4 months depending on species and conditions. Adults typically live only 1-2 weeks and don't feed at all—their sole purpose is reproduction.

Several effective moth control alternatives include: cedar products (cedar oil and wood repel moths but won't kill existing infestations); heat treatment (washing/drying on hot cycles or dry cleaning kills all life stages); freezing (placing items in a freezer at 0°F for 72+ hours kills eggs and larvae); pheromone traps (capture adult males to disrupt breeding cycles); diatomaceous earth (a natural powder that damages insect exoskeletons); essential oils (lavender, mint, and clove oils can repel moths); and professional treatments (targeted insecticides applied by pest control experts). These alternatives are often preferred over mothballs, which contain chemicals that can be harmful to humans and pets.