Do Moths Really Go For Alpaca? Here's How to Protect Your Knitwear (And What To Do If They Beat You To It)

If you've ever pulled a favourite alpaca jumper out of storage at the start of winter only to find a small hole where there shouldn't be one, you'll know the particular sinking feeling that comes with it. It's a question we get asked often at Australian Alpaca Barn: do moths actually like alpaca? The honest answer is yes — but not for the reason most people assume, and once you understand why, protecting your pieces becomes a lot simpler.

So, Do Moths Like Alpaca?

It's not really the moths you need to worry about — it's their larvae. The adult moths you see fluttering around a lampshade are relatively harmless; they don't eat fabric at all. It's the eggs they lay, and the tiny larvae that hatch from them, that do the damage.

Alpaca fibre is a natural protein fibre, rich in keratin, which is exactly the kind of material clothes moth larvae are built to digest. It's the same reason wool, cashmere and even silk are vulnerable. Alpaca isn't especially attractive to moths because it's alpaca — it's attractive because it's a genuine natural fibre, and that's honestly part of the trade-off that comes with owning something so beautifully made. Synthetic jumpers don't have this problem, but they also don't keep you anywhere near as warm, or feel half as lovely against the skin.

What really draws the larvae in is what's left behind on the garment after wear: body oils, sweat, and small amounts of food residue. A piece that's been worn a few times and put away unwashed is a far more appealing target than one that's clean. So if you take one thing from this article, let it be this: never store your alpaca knitwear away for the season without washing it first.

Signs Your Alpaca Garment Has Moth Damage

Catching a problem early makes all the difference, so it's worth knowing what to look for when you're doing your seasonal wardrobe check:

• Small, irregular holes — often near seams, cuffs, or folds where a garment has been left undisturbed
• Thin, weakened patches — the fibre may look and feel a little threadbare before an actual hole appears
• Fine silken threads or small casings — some larvae spin a bit of webbing or drag a tiny cocoon-like case with them as they feed
• Tiny dark specks (frass) — this is essentially larval droppings, and it's often the first sign people spot when they shake out a stored garment
• A faint musty smell — a telltale sign something has been sitting undisturbed for a while

If you spot any of these, don't panic — a small hole doesn't mean the whole piece is ruined. It just means it's time to act.

Protecting Your Alpaca Pieces Before Moths Become a Problem

The good news is that keeping your alpaca garments moth-free doesn't take much — just a few sensible habits.

Always wash before you store. This is the single most effective thing you can do. Moths are particularly attracted to garments that contain traces of perspiration, body oils or food stains. Keeping your alpaca clothing clean before storing it can help make it less attractive to moths. However, even clean natural fibres can be vulnerable, so proper storage is just as important.

Choose breathable storage over sealed plastic. It might feel counter-intuitive, but a cotton garment bag or a drawer is often better than an airtight plastic tub. Moths favour dark, still, undisturbed spaces, so garments that get a little air and the occasional handling are naturally less appealing to them.  

Bring in natural deterrents. Cedar blocks and dried lavender sachets are gentle, pleasant-smelling, and effective at making a space less inviting to moths. They won't kill an existing infestation, but they're an excellent everyday deterrent — just remember cedar needs a light sand every few months to keep its scent working.

Give stored pieces some air. Every month or two, take your alpaca out, give it a gentle shake, and let it breathe for an hour. Moths thrive in stillness, so this small habit does a lot of the heavy lifting.

Skip the mothballs. They work, but they're harsh, strongly scented, and not something we'd want sitting next to a fibre this soft and this close to your skin.

Do a regular check. A quick look-over every couple of months means you'll catch any early damage while it's still a five-minute fix rather than a bigger job.

What To Do If You Find Moths in Your Alpaca

If you do find damage, don't throw the piece out — in most cases, it can be saved.

1. Isolate it straightaway. Move the affected garment away from your other woollens and alpaca pieces so nothing spreads while you deal with it.
2. Wash it properly. If you suspect moth activity, it's important to treat the affected garment rather than relying on ordinary washing alone. Gentle washing may help remove some larvae and eggs, but it won't necessarily eliminate them all. Always follow the garment's care instructions, as many alpaca pieces require hand washing or professional dry cleaning. For a suspected infestation, professional cleaning or an appropriate freezing treatment may be needed.
3. Freeze it.  If you discover signs of moths, freezing can be an effective way to help eliminate moth larvae and eggs without using chemical treatments. Place the affected garment in a sealed plastic bag and use a freezer capable of maintaining -18°C or colder. For a conservative home treatment, leave it frozen for at least a week, allowing extra time for thicker garments to freeze completely. Once removed, let the garment return to room temperature while still sealed to prevent condensation forming on the fibres. Freezing results depend on the temperature and how thoroughly the garment freezes. If you're dealing with a significant infestation or a particularly valuable garment, professional advice is recommended.
4. Check for a repair.  A small hole is often an easy fix for an invisible mender or a careful hand-stitcher, especially on a knit where the pattern can hide a repair well.
5. Deep clean the storage area too. Vacuum drawers, wardrobes, and any nearby fabric to make sure you've dealt with the source, not just the symptom. 
6. Reset with natural deterrents. Once everything's clean, bring the cedar and lavender back in before the piece goes back into storage.

A Bit of Perspective

At the end of the day, moths going after your alpaca is a sign you've bought something genuinely good. It's the same reason a beautiful piece of alpaca knitwear feels the way it does — soft, warm without the weight, and made to last for years rather than one season. A little care around washing and storage is a small price to pay for a garment that's meant to be a long-term favourite, not a fast fashion throwaway.

We've been working with alpaca fibre since 1999, and if there's one thing we always tell customers, it's that alpaca rewards the small habits — wash before you store, give it room to breathe, and check on it now and then. Do that, and your alpaca pieces will be just as soft and just as loved for many winters to come.