Many people wonder if moths are responsible for wood damage in their homes. While moths are household pests, their diet does not typically include wood. This article clarifies what moths eat and identifies the real culprits behind wood destruction.
Moths and Their Diet
Adult moths generally do not eat at all, or they consume liquids such as flower nectar, rotting fruit, sap, or honeydew. Some adult moths possess a proboscis, a straw-like mouthpart used for sipping these fluids.
The primary feeding stage for moths occurs during their larval, or caterpillar, phase. These larvae consume various organic materials depending on their species. Clothes moth larvae, for instance, feed on natural fibers containing keratin, such as wool, silk, fur, and even cotton.
Other common household pests, like pantry moths, primarily target stored food products. Their larvae consume grains, cereals, flour, nuts, dried fruits, and even pet food. In natural environments, many moth caterpillars feed on plant matter like leaves, stems, and seeds.
Wood, however, is not a typical food source for most moths. This is because wood is primarily composed of cellulose, a complex carbohydrate that moths generally lack the necessary digestive enzymes, such as cellulase, to break down. While some insects have evolved to digest cellulose, moths are not among the common wood-eating species.
Other Wood-Damaging Insects
The insects most commonly responsible for damaging wood are not moths but rather a variety of other pests, each with distinct methods of destruction.
Termites
Termites are well-known wood-destroying insects that consume cellulose found in wood for sustenance. Subterranean termites, for example, build mud tubes to access wood and can hollow out structures from the inside. Drywood termites, in contrast, infest dry wood and excavate tunnels within it.
Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants are another significant wood-damaging pest, though they do not eat wood. Instead, these ants tunnel through wood to create smooth, hollowed-out galleries for nesting purposes. They often target wood that is damp or already damaged, pushing out sawdust-like wood shavings, known as frass, as they excavate their nests.
Powderpost Beetles
Powderpost beetles are also major culprits in wood damage. The larvae of these beetles bore narrow, meandering tunnels through wood as they feed, reducing it to a fine, flour-like powder. Evidence of their activity includes small, round “shot holes” on the wood surface and piles of powdery frass beneath them.
Identifying the specific pest causing wood damage is important, as effective treatment depends on accurate identification, and consulting a pest control professional is often recommended for comprehensive assessment.