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 avoid the light and areas where they will be trampled on. There extensive damage is often concealed by furniture such as beds, cabinets, chests, and hidden within packed closets or hot-presses.

What do carpet moths look like:

Adult clothes moth 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.

Signs of carpet moths:

This moths larvae are laid in carpets and fabric, these larvae feed on the textile causing irregular holes and damage to the material. If you are seeing unusual signs of wear on carpets or fabrics then these are likely the culprit. These moths prefer low-traffic areas and are not fond of the light, so you’re likely to find them under the the bed or nightstand, or in a small carpeted closet; check these areas as they will be likely areas of highest damage.

How to get rid of/avoid carpet moths:

To avoid carpet moths you should regularly clean behind and under furniture in carpeted areas. 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 formula available exclusively to the pest control industry, this product instantly kills all larvae instantly, ensuring the lifecycle is cut off and total extermination of all clothes/carpet moths is achieved. You can return to the room 2 hours after the treatment is complete and it is safe for use around children and pets.