PestNetOnline
Login© 2026 Rentokil Initial plc and subject to the conditions in the Legal statement
Get in touch
Contact an expert
Think you have fabric pests?
Learn the common signs that may point to a fabric pest infestation
There are many different types of fabric pests that cause trouble for commercial businesses throughout the U.S.
If you suspect you have an issue with any of the fabric pest species below, don’t hesitate to call us at 1-855-633-6260 or contact us online today.
Frequently encountered species include:
Item 1 of 1
Case-bearing clothes moth
(Tinea pellionella)
The case-bearing clothes moth creates more regular holes in fabrics.
Appearance
- Adult: 6-8mm long, dark buff forewings with three faint spots (may appear as two)
- Larvae: up to 10 mm long, creamy white in color.
Lifecycle
- Similar to the common clothes moth.
Habits
- More rare than the common clothes moth
- Found in imported goods, such as hides or objects of animal origin
Item 1 of 1
Webbing clothes moth
(Tineo bisselliella)
Appearance
- Approximately ½” long
- Golden buff in color with a distinguished tuft of red hair on top of the head
- Wings are fringed with no markings
Lifecycle
- Typically 50-90 days
- Larvae are up to ½" long when fully grown — often found in a network of silken tubing.
Habits
- Can damage various animal products, including wool, fur, skins, clothing, carpets, upholstered furniture, and felt
- Larvae may be difficult to spot as they hide in a network of silken tubing.
Item 1 of 1
Varied carpet beetle
(Anthrenus verbasci)
Appearance
- Approximately ¹⁄₁₆”-⅛” long
- Mottled yellow, white and black
Lifecycle
- Complete in 9-12 months
- Larvae up to ¼” long
Habits
- Damages carpets, underfelt, woolens, fur, feathers
- Can attack stored items such as cereals and meat products
Item 1 of 1
Black carpet beetle
(Attagenus unicolor)
Appearance
- Approximately ⅛-¼” long
- Shiny black to dark brown, with brownish legs
Lifecycle
- Complete in 6-12 months
- Carrot-shaped larvae, up to ¼” long
- Larvae are reddish-brown covered with stiff bristles and a long tuft of hair at the rear.
Habits
- Relatively widespread and destructive
- Often associated with bird and insect nesting in roof cavities
- Can damage leather, silk, carpet, felt and stored grain
Item 1 of 1
Furniture carpet beetle
(Anthrenus flavipes)
Appearance
- Approximately ¹⁄₁₆”-⅛” long
- Mottled yellow, white and black markings
Lifecycle
- Completes life cycle in 9-12 months
- Stout, brown larvae, up to ³⁄₁₆” long with numerous hairs
Habits
- Can damage upholstered furniture, carpets and some stored food products
Get rid of fabric pests
Discover our expert fabric pest solutions today