Pest Control Guide: Carpet Moths

 Carpet moths/

Clothes moths

The common clothes moth or carpet moth is a species of fungus moth which lays it’s sticky larvae in natural fibres. These larvae continue their lifecycle by feeding on these natural fibres for nourishment, in turn damaging your clothing, carpet and curtains.

These pesky pests often persist in areas of low light and traffic, where they can avoid being trampled; resulting their most extensive damage being concealed by furniture such as beds and cabinets, chests, or hidden within packed closets or hot-presses.

What do carpet moths look like:

Adult clothes moths are straw coloured, about 5 to 8mm in length, with a wingspan of about 12-17mm. They have a feathered edge to their wing, no markings and often a reddish fur/hair on top of the head. Their Larvae (which are the most damaging) are small, cream-colored to pale brown with a dark head, and often covered in tiny bristles.

Signs of carpet moths:

To spot signs of a carpet moth infestation, look for irregular holes or thinning areas in carpets, rugs, and fabrics, particularly in low-traffic areas where moths prefer to hide. You may notice small, silken threads or webbing left behind by the larvae, which they use to create their feeding tunnels. Pay attention to corners, under furniture, inside closets, and behind curtains, as these are common hiding spots. Additionally, finding small, off-white larvae or cocoons in these areas can indicate an active infestation. A musty odor may also accompany the damage caused by moths. If you see any of these signs, it’s important to act quickly to prevent further damage.

How to get rid of/avoid carpet moths:

To avoid carpet moths, it’s essential to maintain a clean and well-maintained environment. Regularly vacuum carpets, rugs, and upholstered furniture, especially in hidden or less frequently disturbed areas like under furniture or in corners. You should also consider excessive humidity/condensation issues which may contribute to their presence. To get rid of carpet moths you must remove the existing moths but more importantly destroy their larvae. There are over the counter remedies for this which can be used along with continuous vacuuming and monitoring, such methods may be effective in low volume infestations.

Here at advanced pest solutions we use a proven spray formulation available exclusively to the pest control industry, this product instantly kills all larvae, ensuring the lifecycle is cut off and total extermination is achieved. Treatments are highly effective and is safe for use around children and pets.