Moth Larvae Infestations in Oriental Rugs
Wool rugs contain a strong and durable material called keratin, which is a protein found in human hair and also a food source for moth larvae. Many owners of expensive oriental rugs aren't even aware that they are harboring larvae in their homes!
How to Tell if Your Rug is Infested
To see if you have an infestation, check the edges of any wool rugs you have for any missing or loose tufts. Also, check around where any furniture sits on the rug. Moth larvae typically prefer to reside in dark, undisturbed areas of rugs where little to no foot traffic occurs. This could be underneath a table or in an area away from windows where there isn't much light. Additionally, moths tend to be attracted to humid climates in areas such as Orlando, Florida.
If you have seen moths flying around your home, it is probably already too late. Chances are that female moths have already laid eggs in your oriental rugs, which will eventually hatch into larvae that feed off of the rug's fibers. These larvae often go unnoticed due to their small size. Another way to tell of you have a rug infestation is by inspecting the rug's fibers. If you see tears and rips all the way through to the underside of the rug, you likely have a larvae infestation.
Furthermore, moth larvae are attracted to stains caused by spills or even pet messes. If your oriental rug contains stains, the rate of larvae infestation can become accelerated. No good!
How to Prevent Moth and Larvae Infestations
Moth damage is preventable! A clean rug is unappetizing to moth larvae. Regular, periodic professional cleaning of wool rugs makes the material less desirable to them, and they will avoid it.
While vacuuming can sometimes help prevent moths from nesting in your rugs, it is highly recommended to have your oriental rugs cleaned by a trained professional at least once a year. This not only applies to oriental rugs in your home, but also to rugs that you have stowed away in storage, which are even more likely to be infested by moths. For these rugs, it is always a good idea to have them inspected every six months just to be safe. You don't want your nice, expensive rug to have been completely ruined by some pesky moth larvae!
Carpet & Tile Solutions takes care to apply a moth preventative treatment (at no extra charge) and 3M Scotchgard protector to all Oriental, Persian, and Turkish rugs. Fill out the contact form below for a free quote!