We received an interesting inquiry this month from Kyle in Seattle, Washington. Kyle wants to know if his cat is causing his moth infestation.
Hey Moth Guy,
Love the site. Wanted to get your thoughts on cats attracting moths. I can’t seem to get rid of them.
-Kyle
I’m really glad you asked. This is a critical topic that often goes overlooked by pet owners. As an owner of two cats, I can personally attest to the extreme amounts of dust and dander that these animals produce on a daily basis. I mitigate this by grooming them several times a week, but even that does not eliminate the dust completely.
It’s not uncommon for cat owners to find balls of fur (or even small tumbleweeds of cat fur) balled up in corners, on the floor, or floating in the air. If left unchecked, this can be a serious problem.
I want to show you something. This is a photo of dust I collected using a small handheld vacuum. I left it in the closet for a few weeks. When I pulled it out to use it again, wouldn’t you believe there were live moths inside! The eggs were inside the dust, and the eggs hatched. Unbelievable! Take a close look and you will see one perched inside the plastic sheath.
Here’s what you need to understand (and I will spell it out in simple terms):
DUST = MOTH FOOD
Every square inch of your house that has dust, human hair, pet hair, dander, dead skin cells, anything organic for that matter, is potentially available to be devoured by hungry clothes moths. In reality, these creatures should really be called Keratin Moths!
So the answer to your question is a resounding “YES!” Cats create conditions that make it easier for clothes moths to thrive. If you are not vigilant in keeping your house (and cats) free of excess fur, you will suffer the consequence. What’s worse, the infestation may become perennial, meaning there is so much dust in your house that you will be playing a game of whack-a-mole for months, or years, to come!
If you are a cat (or any pet) owner, you must take action! Vigorously clean every nook and cranny in hour house. Overturn couches. Pull up carpets. Follow the Moth Emergency Plan.
Cats are beautiful animals worthy of our admiration. But if you aren’t careful, they can turn your home into a hotbed of moth infestation.
-The Moth Guy
