The larvae of clothes moths can eat animal fibres which are not removed by other scavengers, and are capable of consuming and digesting
keratin materials that make up silk, wool, fur, and hair. This allows clothes moths to attack human-made garments and textiles which include animal fibres, damaging them and leading to the common name of these pests. Household-wide infestations can stem from a single textile item, such as a garment or
rug, with potential targets besides garments including
upholstery, toys, or even
taxidermied animals. Discarded fibres found around the home can contribute to infestations as well, such as pet sheddings, hair and fur buildup inside vents and air ducts, or
birds' nests built inside some part of a house.
Basements and
attics are commonly the most heavily affected areas. Larvae can also sometimes act as
bookworms, chewing through paper (which they cannot digest for nutrition) to reach book bindings or mold colonies for nourishment. ==Treatment and control==