Moths and wool carpets Post Reply

[LMV]

Hi everyone,

Having moved into our home last year we’ve discovered a serious infestation of moths. They are in every room and we can see their eggs in the carpet throughout the house. One pest control company has said we need to replace our wool carpets with synthetic carpet, along with three rounds of fumigating, to get rid of them. Our whole house is carpeted apart from kitchen and bathrooms so this would be a mammoth undertaking.

Has anyone been in a similar position who can advise whether it’s really necessary to rip up the carpets? We’ll probably have another 5 years in this house so we need to get rid of the moths but would rather avoid unnecessary expensive work to do it!

Thanks!

[robinm]

We have the same problem right now.

I'm currently going down the 'cheaper' route rather than the suggested replace carpets. I've placed pads down (see link below) and they're collecting the moths really quickly and effectively. I've also sprayed the carpets with the spray below. Going to spray again soon, and then assess the situation. If the moths persist, I'll try the 'smoke bombs'!

Pads - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07 ... UTF8&psc=1

Spray - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07 ... UTF8&psc=1

Fumigation 'bombs' - https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_no ... moke+bombs

Hope that helps, for now.

Robin

[LMV]

Thanks Robin. That’s so helpful.

Any other suggestions would be very welcome!

[astro]

Hi both,

We have the same problem now and I was curious as to how much success you’ve had with the above approach? also don’t want to pull up all of our carpet!

Thanks

[SamanthaB]

When we moved to our house, there were traces of moth issues but no obvious moths! We were recommended to a carpet cleaner that uses a product that biodegrades and deals with problem. I joined after the initial post and saw the sprays and bombs but with children, I never wanted to leave carpet full of 'corpses'.
I would be happy to pass on my recommendation, if you want to message me.

[Pitterpat]

Hi LMV.  We have had moths for a few years now.  I have a good quality wool carpet throughout my house (fitted from an open plan sitting room, up the stairs, along landing).  We have noticed that their numbers have been increasing a lot year on year and we are continuing the battle.  Last year we managed to find the main nest. It was underneath a large log basket which we hardly ever move, but when we did we found the carpet had been properly munched. 

I have used the sticky moth traps, available in Lakeland and Robert Dyas in Wimbledon, and these have been successful in trapping the moths. Unfortunately, it is not the moths that do the damage, it is their hatching larvae.  We now have to regularly move furniture, because apparently, they like finding hatching areas under items of furniture that are rarely moved, because they like the dark, undisturbed places.  We Hoover well and spray the carpet with moth-killing lavender scented spray, also available in the above stores. It has not eradicated them completely, but numbers are definitely down.  

[amumtoo]

We also have what looks. like moths, flying insects everywhere with brown wings but they don't seem to do anything, i.e. I haven't seen any visible damage. Maybe not yet??? 

It started about 4 months ago and there are now more of them.