How to Prevent and Treat Moth Infestation in your Rugs in 5 Easy Steps

If you have owned a rug or a carpet for a fair amount of time and with the right climate, location, and environmental factors, you may have been unfortunate enough to experience a moth infestation. 

This issue is even more common in coastal regions with high humidity. One common misconception about moth infestations is that they feed on the fibers of the rug, but  this not entirely the truth. In fact, any type of rug is susceptible to the attacks of these pests as moths usually lay their eggs in warm, damp areas, and woolen rugs with certain environmental criteria in place provide the perfect environment for them to flourish.

If you wish to address this problem, the first thing that you must think about is prevention.

It’s better to prevent than to cure, especially where expensive Persian rugs are concerned.

1. As mentioned above, these pests usually attack carpets in dark, cold and moisture rich places. Since moths love to hatch in places where their eggs will be undisturbed, they also target rugs that are in storage or those areas of rugs that are located under pieces of furniture or in rooms seldom used.

2. In order to prevent moth infestation, it’s recommended that you regularly check the condition of these rugs every few months ensuring you inspect both pile (top) and back of rugs.

3. Vacuuming the back of the rug once a year will also reduce the likelihood of an infestation.

4. On the other hand, rugs that are hung on walls must be handled on a regular basis since moths tend to shy away from human scent.

5. It is recommended that you check for larvae or moth infestations on a regular basis. By doing so, you can detect possible infestations at an early stage, allowing you to address the problem a lot easier. As the infestation stays longer, it will be a lot more difficult for you to treat it, moreover if the infestation is left long enough, it will compromise the structural integrity of your beautiful rugs.

The problem with moth infestation is the fact that it does not only stay within the rug. It has the ability to quickly spread to things found inside your home. So what do you do if you find an infestation?

Any rug that has moth infestation must be vacuumed on a regular basis. You should also use a rug specialist moth spray on both sides of the rug. When it comes to choosing your moth spray, it is recommended that you test the spray first on a small part of the rug to ensure that it will not create any staining or discoloration! Wait for a few hours and if no damage has been created, you can try the spray on the entire rug. Shy away from using moth rugs as this can be harmful for both humans, pets and the entire house.

Moth infestation may lead not only to damage, but can completely destroy your rugs. For all rug lovers out there; please be kind to your rugs and inspect regularly!