Carpet moths are one of the most unrelenting pests when it comes to carpet. Once an infestation starts, it can seem impossible to get it under control. But there are plenty of things you can do to prevent, remove, and repair the damage they cause.
What Are Carpet Moths?
It helps to understand what carpet moths actually are. They’re basically a moth that feeds on natural fibres, particularly wool carpets. The moth itself doesn’t eat the carpet — the larvae they lay is the culprit. The larvae can spend months eating away at the carpet fibres. Once they’re big enough, they fly around and lay more larvae, continuing the cycle and creating an infestation.
Where Carpet Moths Thrive
Carpet moths thrive in warmer, humid climates, and Queensland has the perfect conditions. In a house, their ideal environment is undisturbed areas where they won’t be vacuumed, like under furniture, in dark tucked-away spots. They also need moisture to survive. We often see the worst infestations in areas where there’s been a water leak. Sometimes you get the double whammy of pet urine, in addition to moth damage, due to the moisture.
How to Prevent Carpet Moth Infestations
Understanding what they are and how they thrive gives an indication as to how to prevent them. Open, well-lit, and ventilated spaces are best. Regular vacuuming in all the nooks and crannies stops the lifecycle, you’re essentially removing larvae before they can mature and lay more eggs. Also ensure you don’t have any moisture issues or leaks throughout the property. Near bathrooms, sinks, and laundries especially, check for signs of water like mildew or mould smell, or carpet discolouration. You’ll often see it seeping in along the edges of the room.
If an Infestation Has Already Started
If your infestation has already begun, start the preventative measures right away. It’s also essential to get pest control done to make sure you’ve fully eliminated them as they can hide in the fibres, so professional treatment ensures they’re completely gone.
Repairing Moth Damage
After pest control, you need to address the damaged carpet. The repair depends on severity. Sometimes, if you’ve caught it quickly, you’ll only have small sections with a few missing threads. In these cases, we can glue small donor threads back into the areas. If the damage is extensive, patching is necessary. This means cutting out the damaged area and installing a new piece, using all our methods to achieve a seamless result. Some of our biggest jobs have come from moth damage, we’ve done houses with 10-20 patches throughout. It’s all still repairable, you just need plenty of spare carpet or wardrobes to source from.
Get Professional Help
If carpet moths have infested your home, don’t wait. Give Express Carpet Repairs a call. We work throughout Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, and Gold Coast. There’s nothing we haven’t seen, so try to surprise us!