Can Moths Eat Carpets

If you can count around 5 moths in one room it s considered a serious moth infestation.

Can moths eat carpets.

Clothes moths and carpet beetles. When these eggs hatch the larvae may not eat the fibres of synthetic carpets but they will eat the dirt that collects in it. Moths and carpet beetles love to eat under a sofa that is never moved to vacuum under it. A carpet moth infestation can be a costly problem as it can cause serious and often irreperable damage to carpets rugs and other soft furnishings in the home.

Carpet moths can eat their way through thick wool carpets and even manmade fibre carpets at incredible speed leaving your flooring with unattractive patches. The life cycle of a carpet moth clothes moth. Here is a video that shows you what the damage looks like and where to look. The fibres of synthetic carpets are still the perfect place for clothes moths to hide their eggs.

Carpet moth larvae feed predominately on keratin found in natural fibres such as wool and so can live on any carpet with some wool content. You may also consider using a dry cleaning service or a carpet steamer to do a deep clean of any rugs made of natural fibers. The case bearing clothes moth builds itself a portable case out of debris such as fibres and hairs in which they can hide. And damage will be found underneath the rug on the back side.

See the moth identification guides on this site for more information. The carpet moth is a common household textile pest. There are two main types of insect which cause serious damage to textiles in the british isles. Even if you don t have wool or silk carpets and most people don t that doesn t mean that they will be moth free.

The case bearing moth larvae eat keratin similarly to webbing clothes moths and found in animal based fabrics clothing and home textiles including carpets and rugs. Carpet moths are mostly attracted to natural fibres and can destroy carpets all around your home. Pantry moth larvae will not eat your carpets and rugs but may be seen as they try to locate. Avoid fabric containers which moths can eat through.

To eliminate carpet moths use a moth spray designed for use on carpets.