Signs of Carpet Moths
Tapestry moths, otherwise known as carpet moths, are known for eating your clothes or carpets. To be more precise it’s actually the moth larvae that you’ll find eating your carpet or clothes or anything they can find made from natural fibres.
Left unchecked carpet moth larvae will eat their way around your home making holes in fabric and leaving ugly bald patches on rugs and carpets.
You’ll also be able to see adult moths flying and resting on your carpets or in your cupboards – small beige or light brown flying moths. Their larvae are white – yellow in colour and grow to about 1cm in length. They also shed larval casings as they grow so you may notice these empty cases on your carpets.
Where do Carpet Moths Come From?
Adult carpet moths search out a food source for their young before laying their eggs. They’ve got a good sense of smell which they use to locate natural fabrics such as fur, wool and silks. Their larvae will also eat hair and dead skin.
It’s actually the keratin (a source of protein) found within these substances that the carpet moth larvae need in order to survive and grow. The adult moths simply follow their noses and fly into your house in search of a food source for their young and will usually choose quieter areas, such as under your bed, to lay their eggs.
How To Get Rid of Carpet Moths
Regular vacuuming will help to discourage carpet moths as they prefer quiet areas where they’re not disturbed. This will also remove any eggs that are on your carpet as well as hair, skin or similar debris that the larvae may be using as a food source. It’s useful to go behind and under furniture as this is often where the moths will hide out.
Keeping your carpet clean will also help, and steam cleaning is an even more effective step – be sure to read manufacturers guidelines and be careful using high temperatures on oriental or antique rugs. Scented dried herbs such as lavender or rosemary in a cloth bag placed in affected areas will deter the moths sense of smell and may also help.
If all else fails, then the next step may be to find a reputable pest controller with a carpet moth pest control program. They can usually effectively treat and remove all carpet moths and larvae in one visit.
Before carpet moth pest control treatment you’ll often need to hoover everywhere, empty the hoover bag, clear general clutter off the floor and stay out of the house during and for a few hours after treatment. There may be a requirement not to hoover for a few weeks after treatment also, but it might be the easiest and most cost-effective solution in the long term.
