Few things irritate homeowners faster than opening a pantry or closet and watching moths flutter out. It was a call from a longtime resident of Angelina County and longtime friend that got me pondering about moths in the house.
Too many times, the immediate reaction is to grab a spray can. But let me urge you to try a different reaction: identify the moth first, because not all moths are the same — and most don’t belong indoors to begin with.
In East Texas homes, moth issues are typically one of three kinds: pantry pests, clothes moths, or nuisance moths that wandered in from outside. These three categories account for the vast majority of homeowner complaints and require very different responses.
Pantry moths, most commonly known as the Indianmeal moth, are frequent offenders. These moths infest stored food products such as flour, cereal, rice, pasta, cornmeal, bird seed, and pet food. Homeowners may notice moths flying near the pantry, kitchen cabinets, or worse, may see the moth’s larvae inside these food packages.
Truthfully, by the time you see that moth, the damage has already been done by the larvae feeding on your dry, stored food. Pantry moths are most noticeable in late summer and fall, when warm conditions speed up their life cycle.
In East Texas, they often show up in grain-type foods that have sat undisturbed for months. That partly used bag of flour may not spoil but is the perfect target for infestation.
Control starts with sanitation. Any infested food should be discarded. Remaining dry goods should be stored in airtight glass or plastic containers — not cardboard boxes or thin bags. Pantry shelves should be vacuumed and wiped down to remove food dust and larvae. Pet food and bird seed should always be stored in sealed bins. Insecticides are rarely needed and should only be used in empty cabinets as a last resort.
Clothes moths are less common but more destructive. In fact, in more than 30 years of Extension work, I have yet to confirm a true clothes moth infestation in a local home. These moths feed on natural fibers such as wool, silk, fur, feathers, and some blends. Interestingly, they do not damage cotton or synthetic fabrics. Damage usually appears as irregular holes in clothing, blankets, or rugs stored in dark, undisturbed areas.
Clothes moth problems often surface in fall and winter when seasonal clothing and blankets come out of storage. AgriLife Extension recommends washing or dry-cleaning garments before long-term storage, thoroughly vacuuming closets, and storing susceptible items in sealed containers or garment bags. Clean fabrics are far less attractive to these moths.
The third group is nuisance moths, often called miller moths. These are outdoor moths that are attracted to lights and accidentally enter homes. This is the moth that I’ve been seeing over the past few weeks at my own house.
I’ll see them first outside the glass window of our home’s back door. They sit there because they are attracted to our indoor lights. Then when I let our dog out, they fly right in. I miss them half the time — but our German Shorthaired Pointer dog never does. She’ll “point” at them and whine till I get the flyswatter and go on a brief hunt with her.
Nuisance moths may be most common in East Texas during spring, fall, and these mild winter days we are experiencing. These moth types emerge from nearby fields, woodlands, or landscapes.
These nuisance moths typically do not feed, reproduce, or cause damage indoors. They are simply in the wrong place. Entomology experts with AgriLife recommend sealing gaps around doors, windows, vents, and attic openings to prevent entry. Reducing exterior lighting near entry points can also help. Once inside, these moths can be vacuumed or gently removed — spraying is unnecessary.
The key takeaway is that moth control depends on why they’re there. Food pests require sanitation and proper storage. Fabric pests require cleaning and sealed storage. Nuisance moths require exclusion, not extermination.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension consistently emphasizes that most moth problems are solved without heavy pesticide use. Correct identification and a targeted response save time, money, and frustration — and keep chemicals out of places they don’t belong.
