Keeping our home and furnishings in the best possible condition is a priority for most homeowners, and people across the country use a wide range of maintenance methods to achieve this.
However, unfortunately, there are some nefarious creatures out there that seem to have made it their mission to make this as difficult as possible by feasting on our carpets, rugs, furniture and other furnishings.
Enter the humble carpet moth.
While they may seem innocuous, carpet moths can cause significant damage to clothing and furniture, creating holes, stains and bare patches that look unsightly and ruin the aesthetic of a room.
A carpet moth infestation can be both frustrating and unhygienic, so if you think that carpet moths are causing issues in your home, it’s vital that you eradicate the problem as soon as possible.
In this article, the team here at UK Home Improvement will take a closer look at the problems carpet moths can cause as well as the best ways to get rid of them.
Read on to learn more…
What Are Carpet Moths?
Carpet moths are one of the most popular types of moths found in the UK. Identifiable by their light brown colour and mottled wings, they tend to have three distinctive dots that can be found on their forewings and hindwings.
Their scientific name is Trichophaga tapetzella, and they are not just unique to the UK. In fact, these types of moths can be found in the majority of countries around the world.
Sometimes, they are also referred to as common clothes moths, webbing clothes moths or case bearing moths. No matter what term you prefer, all of these moths have the same thing in common – they are attracted to keratin.
Keratin is a protein that can be found in the skin, hair and nails of humans – all parts of the body that can easily be shed and find themselves in carpets, rugs, curtains and other household furnishings. The moths’ larvae also feed on animal skin, bird nests and pellets as well as clothes, carpets, rugs and other fabrics.
While the adult moths may attack carpets and furnishings, in actual fact it is usually the larvae who are doing most of the damage. Their larvae, essentially small caterpillars that have not yet developed into mature carpet moths, love to feast on your household fabrics and will almost certainly be causing the damage if you spot holes in your carpets and clothing.
Usually, the winged adult moths will lay eggs within the furnishings, which when hatched will provide the perfect environment for the larvae to thrive and consume the fabric. This is why it is so important to tackle an infestation promptly before the adult moths have a chance to lay their eggs.
Damage Carpet Moths Can Cause
Carpet moths can cause several types of damage. Most obviously, the larvae will eat natural fibres in your home’s carpets, upholstery, clothing and other fabrics and furnishings.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common types of damage they can cause.
- Holes in carpets: The most obvious damage is holes in carpets that are caused by the moths’ larvae. These holes can be large or small.
- Bare patches of fabric: If you have a severe infestation, then entire patches of your carpet may be stripped bare. You can tell if this has happened if the underlying backing material has become exposed.
- A fuzzy or thinned appearance: Sometimes, fibres will be eaten unevenly causing areas to become fuzzy or thin.
- Damaged upholstery: If you have upholstered furniture that contains natural fibres, it may also be damaged by carpet moths. You may notice holes in cushions or other parts of the fabric.
- Weakened carpet structure: If the larvae are allowed to eat your carpet over a significant period of time, the structural integrity of it can be significantly weakened making it more likely to tear or fray.
- Damage to stored furniture: If you have any carpets, rugs or any other types of textiles that are made from natural fibres, carpet moths may be able to cause significant damage without you even being aware.
- Stains: As well as creating holes, larvae can also leave behind droppings which will likely stain carpet and fabric. These stains can be hard to clean and in some instances can even become permanent.
How To Know If You Have Carpet Moths
You may wonder how carpet moths get into a property in the first place. While adult moths can sometimes fly into a property through an open window or door, the most likely case is that larvae attach themselves to pets or our clothes when we are out and about.
We then traipse them right into our homes without even realising it.
The life cycle of a carpet moth has four key stages, and this can help you to identify if you have a carpet moth problem in your home.
The four stages are as follows:
- Egg: Carpet moth eggs are extremely tiny (only around 0.5mm in length) which makes them hard to see. They look like small green or white ball bearings and this stage only lasts around four to 10 days.
- Larvae: The larvae are the most important thing to look out for as it is in this form that they will do the most damage. Larvae are cream or white in colour, and are around 1-1.5cm in length. They can live in this form from between two months to up to two years depending on how much food the area is providing for them. If your carpet is damp for whatever reason, the larvae will thrive for longer as they love moisture. If you suspect larvae are present, inspect low-traffic areas of the floor.
- Pupa: Next, is the pupa stage. This sees the larvae spin into a cocoon from silky thread and you may see white thread-like substances on your floor. The pupa stage lasts between 8-10 days.
- Carpet moths: After it leaves its cocoon, it will be a fully-fledged adult carpet moth. While they will be unlikely to eat the carpet and fabrics, they can lay around 40-50 larvae eggs every week which makes them a massive issue.
How To Get Rid Of Carpet Moths
If you have carpet moths in your home, it’s important you know how to get rid of them. There are several ways you can do this and you should complete the following steps:
Assess the intensity of your infestation
The first thing you should do is to check how bad the carpet moth infestation is. This will help you decide on the best method to choose to get rid of them. If you notice a few holes or minor damage, it may only be a small problem but if the carpet has become threadbare then it may be more severe.
Regularly vacuum the area
The easiest and most effective way to get rid of carpet moths is to vacuum the affected area. Use the strongest suction level on your vacuum cleaner and thoroughly cover the area. Pay particular attention to areas around baseboards, under furniture and other areas that may be hard to reach.
Use insecticide sprays
In addition to vacuuming, you can also use insecticide to kill carpet moth larvae. You may opt for this option if the infestation is more severe. Always follow the instructions on the product and make sure to wear protective clothing. You should also keep any children or animals out of the way while treating the carpet.
Place moth traps
If you’re still worried about the risk of carpet moths after you have treated the area, you can use moth traps to stop them from returning. Moths will be attracted to the pheromones and then get stuck in the trap’s glue as a result. You can find a range of moth traps online.
Keep carpets clean
Going forward, you should always keep your home’s carpets and soft furnishings as clean as possible. Hair, pet fur, dust, sweat and food will attract moths to the area so regular cleaning is vital.
You should conduct a deep clean at least once a year, as even if it is not obviously visible the dirt can run deep. As part of this deep clean, move sofas and large furniture and make sure to clean beneath them. Thoroughly wash loose covers, curtains and cushions and vacuum the entire room.
Store off-season clothing away
If you have any off-season clothing that is made from natural fibres, you should always make sure they are properly stored when not in use. Place them in airtight containers and keep them dry or moths may target them.
Call pest control services
If you have a carpet moth infestation that has become out of control, is reoccurring or you’re struggling to deal with yourself, then you can call pest control services for assistance. Many professional companies are extremely experienced in handling such issues and will be able to take care of the issue for you.
