Don’t ignore small bald patches at the edges or corners of your carpets, it could be that you have an infestation of carpet moths. This is a problem that won’t go away and will only get worse so it’s best to get it sorted straight away.
Why are carpet moths a problem?
Adult carpet moths are harmless but it’s the eggs that the females lay that cause the most damage. Females lay approximately 200 eggs over their lifetime. The eggs hatch into larvae that use the carpet as a food source. Wool carpet is especially a delicacy here in Brisbane for the carpet moth. Larvae can exist for up to two years, and you won’t see them as they munch away out of sight in dark or low lit places. When you see the moths, the damage has already been done, and a small patch of threadbare carpet could just be the tip of the iceberg.
How to recognise them
Adult carpet moths are light brown or beige in colour with a 2 cm wingspan, and once fully formed don’t need to eat. The eggs are only 1mm long but once hatched into larvae, search for food immediately and along with wool, can consume cotton, linen and silk; synthetics aren’t so much at risk. Each larva spins a cocoon when it pupates, so the presence of silk-like casings also indicate carpet moths.
Treating carpet moths
Once carpet moths are identified, start the treatment process by vacuuming the affected area thoroughly with the fine nozzle and on high power. Concentrate on skirting boards, the underside of furniture and both sides of rugs, get into all the crevices. Change the vacuum cleaner bag afterwards and remove from the house. Regular vacuuming underneath furniture and around skirting boards will make your home a carpet moth no-go zone, as they don’t like being disturbed.
There are over the counter treatments that you can use such as Pheromone Traps, sachets and carpet sprays to repel moths so they don’t lay eggs. For the best results get in touch with a professional pest control service like Cure All, to successfully get rid of carpet moths.
