How to Prevent Moth Damage to Wool Carpet

When you think about moth damage, chances are good you picture pulling motheaten clothing gout of the closet after a long period of not being worn. However, moths can also do a number on your wool carpets if you’re not vigilant. Moths, or their larvae, more properly, love organic wool fibers, and will quickly destroy a high quality carpet that would otherwise have lasted hundreds of years. Thankfully, there are ways to prevent that damage.

KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR

First, know what to look for in terms of signs of an infestation. You’ll notice these signs before you see any visible damage to your rug fibers. The first sign of an infestation is the appearance of small cocoon-like structures. These are moth egg casings. The casings may look like lint, or even webbing. Once the eggs hatch, the larvae will begin eating your carpet.

VACUUM REGULARLY

Perhaps the single most important tip for preventing moth damage to wool carpet is to be religious about your vacuuming. Keep that carpet clean – use a high quality vacuum, and make sure you clean the carpet at least once per week. If it sees high traffic, clean it more frequently.

MOVE FURNITURE TO VACUUM UNDER

Most moth damage to wool carpet occurs when the carpets are in storage. However, in a home where a carpet is being actively used, you may notice moth larva damage under the furniture. This is because those dark, secluded areas are prime real estate for insects. During your vacuuming, make sure you move any furniture off the carpet so you can vacuum in those areas, as well. It’s also worth noting that you need to turn your carpet over periodically and vacuum the back. Moth larvae can infest the back of the rug just as easily as the front, and there’s plenty of organic wool fiber there for them to eat.

CLEAN SPILLS QUICKLY

Moth larvae is the primary threat to wool carpets, but other insect larvae may cause damage. This generally occurs if there’s a sticky liquid spilled and allowed to dry. The liquid absorbs into the wool, and the insect will eat the wool to get at the meal it contains. It’s collateral damage, but it can lead to serious issues with carpet integrity. Always clean up spills immediately, and consider a preventative spray coating to help prevent spills from absorbing so quickly.

INVEST IN PROFESSIONAL CLEANING PERIODICALLY

Finally, it’s important that you have your carpet professionally washed and cleaned periodically. The frequency for cleaning varies depending on use, but most professionals will estimate your carpet should be cleaned thoroughly once every year to every three years.

As you can see, there are ways to prevent moth damage to wool carpets. The trick is to be proactive, and to understand the threat. Regular cleaning is the best defense, followed by regular professional cleaning to get deep down into the carpet fibers.