Our Clothes Moth Research
From tapestries to period dresses, our furnishings and fabrics are hundreds of years old. But clothes moths can eat through them in several months and their numbers are rising. Our conservators and conservation scientists needed data to tackle the problem, and we called on the public to help out.
Research findings
At English Heritage, we’ve been monitoring clothes moths at our properties for many years, and this has shown us that their numbers are rising. We’re on top of the situation, but we wanted to learn more about how these moths were spreading.
In spring 2017 we launched a research project, Operation Clothes Moth. Hundreds of you helped us by trapping moths at home and sharing your findings.
Our conservation scientists have analysed your data – and it revealed some surprising insights...
Read the Operation Clothes Moth results
Top tips for protecting against clothes moths
Our insect pest staff have created this short film to provide some easy guidance about how to protect your homes against these pesky pests, based on the skills and knowledge we use in our historic properties.
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