Carpet moths can be an extremely unpleasant creature to discover residing in your house. The moths swiftly produce larvae, which can then make quick work of destroying your favourite carpet.
How Do You Know if You Have a Carpet Moth Problem?
Carpet moths are attracted to wool, fur, and even hair and will look to make their home in the quieter and less-vacuumed areas of a room. The indicators of a possible moth infestation are new holes or extra frayed carpet edges, visible moths, or a white filmy material on the carpet.
The damage that they inflict can be difficult, or even impossible, to repair and the costs incurred are likely to be expensive. The moths will rapidly increase around your home unless dealt with properly as soon as possible.
What Causes a Moth Infestation?
Adult female moths will lay eggs in your carpets, which will then hatch into larvae. One moth can lay up to 200 eggs at a time and one larva can develop into a moth within two months under the right conditions.
The preferred food of the larvae is a material called keratin, which can be found in natural fibres such as wool or silk, as well as in dead skin and hair.
Pet hair also contains keratin so if you have animals then it could be a good idea to check spaces where there could be a potential build-up of their fur.
How Can You Get Rid of Carpet Moths Naturally?
1. Vacuuming
Vacuum all areas of the carpet to make sure that every single moth, larvae, and egg has been picked up. You could also steam clean the carpet, provided that you’ve checked that it is safe to use the machine on your specific carpet type.
2. Vinegar
Vinegar is probably the most useful natural moth remover. Fill a spray bottle with equal parts water and vinegar and spray the solution onto the moth-infested parts of your carpet. The moths will be quickly deterred by the acidic liquid.
The solution can also be used to wipe down any other areas of your house where you think the moths may have spread and can be sprayed directly onto many fabrics (except silk or suede) without causing any damage.
3. Diatomaceous Earth
This substance is a naturally occurring, soft rock that has been crumbled into a fine powder. It will be extremely effective against an insect infestation as will cause the insects to dry out and die by absorbing the oils and fats from the cuticle of their exoskeleton.
One of the most popular brands is DiatomPest, which you can buy on Amazon.co.uk here.
If you’re planning to use this powder, make sure that you have the correct personal protective equipment, such as gloves and a mask because, while not poisonous, the substance can irritate your respiratory system if you inhale it.
This product can be available in a spray form as well, which is ideal for carpets as it can cover a large space and will be easily sprayed into smaller areas, like under beds and sofas, or between walls and cupboards.
4. Various natural herbs or plants
Moths have a strong aversion to the smell of cedarwood. Try placing a bag of cedarwood chips in the problem area and hope that the moths will find a new home, ideally away from yours.
Another smell that moths dislike is mint. Placing dried mint leaves or cotton balls with peppermint oil on them near the moths should deter them.
Lavender and eucalyptus are also effective in preventing moths from making themselves too comfortable in your carpet.
Tips to Prevent Moths
- Make sure that you vacuum all areas of your carpet on a regular basis, including the harder-to-reach areas.
- Leave a moth repellent made up of natural ingredients in areas that attract carpet moths. These can be small bags made up of rosemary, thyme, or lavender and will need to be replaced every few months. In addition to keeping the moths away, they will also make the room smell lovely.
- Keep an eye on areas of your house that are warmer or more humid than others, as moths are drawn to hotter areas.
Using a mix of the various methods mentioned above is the most effective way to eradicate a moth infestation without relying on poisonous insect killers.
If you are wanting to avoid these moths in the future, the best thing to do would be to invest in a carpet that is made up of non-natural materials.
An adventurous book lover with an animal obsession and a proclivity for travel and spontaneity. Used to passionately despise cleaning but has grown to enjoy it thanks to learning all the best tricks and shortcuts to guaranteeing a stress-free routine and a spotless home.
