You may have seen the odd moth or two fluttering around your living room or flying towards your lamp on a dim night. While the occasional moth doesn’t pose an immediate threat to your carpet and clothes, moth infestations can be tricky to identify and even more problematic to remove.
Carpet moth infestations can be difficult to spot and challenging to get rid of in your home or business. Fortunately, a pest control expert can help by using specialised heat and steam treatments to remove them from unwanted areas. This is a more natural approach to using dangerous insecticides.
Project Multi Pest have effective methods for getting rid of moths in unwanted places. We use the most natural methods and organic insecticides, which have a short residual lifespan, making them safe for humans and pets.
If you’re wondering how to get rid of carpet moths naturally and efficiently, then you’re in the right place. This blog explores some helpful tips for identifying and dealing with carpet moths and how to remove them from your home or business.
What are carpet moths?
A carpet moth (also known as a tapestry moth) is a small, winged insect that enjoys living in warm conditions. Their larvae feed off natural fibres found in carpets, clothes and other soft furnishing, allowing them to grow and reproduce – causing tricky infestations.
With the various species of moth to consider, you may wonder what exactly it is you should be looking out for.
Adult carpet moths tend to have white heads, and their wings start off a dark grey-brown at the top and creamy white at the tip. Their wing span is roughly 1.4cm – 1.8cm wide.
Carpet moths go through various stages in their life cycle:
- Eggs: This stage is where the moth’s life cycle begins. Carpet moth eggs are tricky to spot due to their minute size, which is why you should vacuum regularly and keep your clothes appropriately stored if you are concerned about an infestation.
- Larvae Stage: Once the eggs hatch, they then enter their larvae stage. This is the most disruptive stage if you have an infestation. Carpet moth larvae are still incredibly small and tricky to detect, meaning they can do immense damage to your carpets and clothes.
- Pupa: The pupa stage is where the moth metamorphoses into an adult moth. This stage typically lasts less than 10 days and might be where you first notice a moth infestation, as they will leave behind a cocoon. At this point, it is usually too late as most of the damage will have been done, so the next best step is preventing new moth eggs from being laid and further infestation.
- Adult Moth: The final stage is where the adult moths come out of their cocoon, ready to mate. While an adult carpet moth doesn’t pose an immediate threat to your clothes, it can lay eggs (up to 200 at a time). Laying eggs begins the whole life cycle again, making it hard to control and keep on top of an infestation.
If you are experiencing a troublesome carpet moth infestation in your home or business, then call us for a quote and put an end to your carpet moth problem.
How do I know if I have a carpet moth infestation?
A carpet moth infestation may be tricky to detect, especially with its size and ability to hide within your home. However, there are telltale signs that may indicate the start of an infestation of carpet moths.
These warning signs can include:
- Small white or cream-coloured eggs nested in your carpet
- Larvae which often look like maggots
- Cocoon-like cases called pupae
- Holes in your carpet, clothes and other soft furnishings
If you are concerned about a potential carpet moth problem, then checking your carpets, rugs, skirting boards and other materials for these signs will help you get on top of it early.
Are carpet moths hard to get rid of?
Due to their size and ability to nest in your carpet in the early stages of life, carpet moths can be tricky to detect and get rid of.
However, with the help of a professional pest control service and some natural home remedies, you will be able to treat and prevent regular infestations in your home or business.
Heat and steam treatment
Our first method of removal includes using heat and steam treatment to raise the temperature of the infested area with industrial heaters. One of our expert controllers will closely monitor the environment, ensuring the rooms are safely sealed off.
Steam treatments are a preferred option for rooms with more delicate materials.
Industry-approved insecticide sprays
The alternative approach for getting rid of carpet moths is using insecticides. Project Multi Pest are renowned for using industry-approved, organic insecticides which are safe for humans and their pets. Our insecticides have a short residual lifespan, and we apply them with great care to protect all residents and achieve the most effective removal.
It is important to note that this type of treatment may take a few rounds as they are more tricky for ridding your home or workplace of moth eggs and carpet moth larvae.
So if your carpets are plagued, contact Project Multi Pest today and speak to a moth control expert for more advice.
Once we have successfully removed the carpet moth infestation, it is time to protect your home or business with cleaning and prevention methods.
Prevention methods
While it won’t necessarily help to remove an infestation, keeping a tidy home or workplace can certainly reduce the chance of your unwanted guests returning. Vacuuming regularly, washing your cotton bedding and storing your most valued clothes in garment bags are all great methods to prevent carpet moths.
Lavender is also a natural insecticide, thanks to the terpene found in it, which can be used to deter moths from nesting in your home. Try using lavender oil or lavender-scented bags in your drawers and wardrobe to keep the moths away. You’ll also have the added benefit of a beautifully scented home and wardrobe!
Of course, lavender sachets and regular cleaning are not guaranteed to keep carpet moth infestations out of your home or business – it is always best to contact a professional. At Project Multi Pest, we only use natural and humane methods to keep pests out of unwanted areas.
Do carpet moths eat clothes?
If you happen to see lots of tiny holes in your clothes, then the likelihood is that you have a clothes moth or carpet moth problem. They don’t differ greatly. It’s just whether they end up feasting on your clothes or your carpet that gives them their name – so yes, carpet moths can eat your clothes.
A clothes moth (also known as a case-bearing clothes moth) is very similar to carpet moths in the sense that they lay many eggs, and their larvae have a taste for natural materials.
How to get rid of carpet moths in clothes?
It’s important to remember that it is actually the clothes moth larvae that like to feed on your favourite garments, not the adult moths themselves.
Carpet moth larvae feed on natural fibres found in clothes and carpets. It is the keratin that is found in these natural fibres which attract the larvae. The materials you should look out for include wool, fur, cashmere, silk and some mixed fibre materials.
Checking your wardrobe and regularly washing your clothes can help to reduce the chance of clothes moths. You should also follow the prevention methods listed above and contact a professional moth pest control service to keep your moth problem at bay.
Contact Project Multi Pest today for moth control
When it comes to getting rid of moths in your home or business, Project Multi Pest are experts in their field.
Our moth control specialists are skilled in tracking down these pesky critters in your carpets, clothes and any other soft furnishings – stopping them at the first stage of infestation.
We use natural methods that are human-safe and pet-friendly, so you can be at ease knowing we are taking care of your moth problem in the most effective and safe way possible.
Speak to one of our experts today for advice on how to get rid of carpet moths in your home or business, and get a quote for our fast and effective service.
FAQs about getting rid of carpet moths
Will vacuuming get rid of carpet moths?
Vacuuming regularly with a good-suctioning vacuum is an effective way to remove eggs and moth larvae from your carpets, furniture and clothes.
Be sure to get into all the nooks and crannies of your wardrobe and along the edge of your carpets to ensure you reach all surface areas. To ensure these unwanted guests don’t return, we suggest emptying the vacuum bag regularly.
Do carpet moths spread from room to room?
Carpet moths and clothes moths are small critters with wings and legs, meaning they can move around your house or workplace.
They are most likely to spread from room to room when the adult female moths fly around searching for a mate or to lay eggs. Carpet moth larvae can also spread through the carpet from room to room.
Is there a season for carpet moths?
Carpet moths tend to prefer warmer conditions, so warmer months and centrally heated homes are when they are most prevalent.
Will changing carpets get rid of carpet moths?
Changing carpets won’t necessarily remove a carpet moth infestation, as they may live within other areas of your house or workplace.
However, if your carpets have been attacked beyond repair, then removing them may be the best option.
