General Chat

Anyone else had this, this year? Never in over 50 years of caring for a home have I come across this. Apparently this year has been good for the moth, not the human.

They have decimated my chinese carpets - they attacked under two pieces of furniture which do not get moved very often - no need and too heavy. Which is why we did not notice.

I have a large hole in one - right through the carpet. The pile in areas is actually stripped bare. OH has been working his socks off, hoovering, spraying etc., (as they have dug deep into the thick pile), whilst trying to kill infestation before we get rid of them to avoid carrying to other rooms.

Might be worth checking - apparently they like around skirting boards, back of settees and under heavy pieces of furniture, bookcases etc.

Goodness, that's terrible Chris. I know it's been a bad year for clothes moths (but good for them, as you say!), but I hadn't thought about carpet moths. Do the carpets/rugs have to be 100% wool for them to attack?

what do they look like

just so we know what we are looking for

Brrrrrr!!

Lots of info if you google.

The last few damp years have been a bonus for many insects such as moths and SPIDERS.

Slugs and snails also love this weather

Has anyone else noticed just how big some spiders are lately?

They go for natural materials e.g. wool/silk/cotton/leather etc. small moth - brown/silver - photos on google - life cycle of carpet moth.

I would probably have decimated them - I've been spraying pesticide round like nobody's business.
I've got 3 cats and tend to rotate flea deterrants/killers to make sure the fleas don't become immune - I also routinely spray the house at least 3 times a year.
Last month I bought some very expensive flea killer off the vet. When I was putting it on 2 of them, it seemed like the phial was empty (couldn't do a detailed survey, as, once I have the gloves on and have a hold of them, even if I do nothing, they struggle :-S )
2 of them now have 'little friends' and, as I don't know for sure whether or not the phials were empty, have to wait a month before I put any more on - those 3 phials cost me £21 - plus the cost of extra household spray!!!

Lavender is meant to deter them

Few years ago now, kept finding what looked like small shavings around my sideboard and dresser. Hoovered up over a few days then picked some up and put it on a piece of paper and got my magnifying glass out. OMG they moved !!!!!!!!!!

Called in a man in the know and I'd never heard of carpet moth. Told me what spray to buy etc. For weeks we had all furniture out. vaccing and praying that should read spraying well praying too. But they were only in the room with an all wool carpet. Little man said they only like wool ones.

First all wool carpet we had bought and it has huge bear patches round the skirting
and furniture. Will be replacing it "eventually " with a cheaper one.
Always on the look out now.

Large lavender bush under window - must have flown around it!!!

Am going to have a lay down in a darkened room before I have hysterics. Just been looking on line at the cost of a 9x12.

Could moth damage be constured as accidental damage to insurance company???????????// ;-)

Check out the Auction houses Chris, they sometimes have large carpets which are too big for the newish smaller houses (When people are downsizing) worth a try.**M**.

Funnily enough I just mentioned that to OH and he poo pooed the idea. Will log on local auction house.

I have put my foot down - OH was thinking of possibly saving smaller carpet (less damage) but the thought of constantly checking and I cannot help in any way.

Have frightened the living daylights out of him by reminding him of the d.room one - again chinese and pure wool.

I think and hope that the rest of the house which is carpeted that most carpeting will have even a small % of nylon etc. in them - god help any moth which ventures in here - large or small - they will be zapped.

Last winter, cleaning my Mums house found them in one of her old rugs. Sprayed and they were gone. She's had clothes moths before but like you never seen carpet moths in my 60 years! :-0