Webbing clothes moths, scientifically known as Tineola bisselliella, are a generally widespread species among Britain's entire territory. 

They feed on animal fibres and are capable of doing a lot of damage inside your wardrobe. Their favourite meals may include wool, leather, silk, furs, and other organic materials that contain keratin.

When having to battle a moth infestation, choosing an appropriate moth control method is crucial. Anyway, experienced pest control Croydon specialists will advise on different procedures depending on the severity of the infestation and the lifecycle stage of the moths you have discovered in your closet. 

Below, we will explain the different development stages of common clothes moths to help you analyze the situation and plan your moth treatment strategy accordingly. 

The egg stage of clothes moths

The life of a common clothes moth begins in the egg stage. Female moths lay their clusters of eggs near a reliable source of food. Indoors, this is, of course, your closet. In nature, these little insects can be found in birds' and beetles' nests.

Moths' eggs are attached to different surfaces by a layer of gelatin-like glue produced by the mother. After the eggs have been laid, it takes between four and ten days before they hatch and emerge as near-microscopic white caterpillars: ор the clothes moth larvae.

The larval stage of clothes moths

Contrary to popular belief, larvae are actually the ones doing all the terrible damage in your closet. These dark-headed and creamy coloured worms begin feeding as soon as they hatch and keep doing it for sometimes very extended periods of time.

During this phase, all that moth larvae do is eat, grow, shed their skins, and repeat. They also produce thin silken webbings that can show off the first signs of an infestation if you are paying attention.  

The duration of the larval stage depends on many variables, such as food supply, temperature, and humidity. Fast-developing larvae can outgrow that stage in just 35 days, while poor conditions can slow down their development and make them grow two years or more. 

The pupal stage of clothes moths 

After the previous stage is done, larvae spin a small cocoon and pupate themselves inside of it to grow. 

Depending on the situation, they will spend roughly 10 to 50 days developing into adult moths before emerging out of the cocoon. 

The adult stage of clothes moths

The only purpose of the adult moth is reproducing. In fact, adult butterfly-like clothes moths do not even feed during that stage.

In adultery, male moths die as soon as they mate, while females - as soon as they lay their eggs. In most cases, this takes no longer than 15 - 30 days.  

The overall lifespan of a clothes moth

When you do the math, you will have a simple answer - the life cycle of Tineola bisselliella may be completed within one month or last up to several years.

Paradoxically, the most short-lived moths are the ones living under the most favourable conditions (24 °C and 70% to 75% relative humidity). 

A poorer living environment will slow down the development of the moth and result in them living a longer life.