How Moths Destroy Rugs – And How to Stop Them
We’ve seen it too many times. A beautiful, hand-knotted rug left untouched under a piece of furniture… only to be discovered years later, ravaged by moths. If you’ve ever wondered how moths can do so much damage—or how to prevent it—this is for you.
Why Moths Target Rugs
Clothes moths don’t care how much your rug cost. They’re looking for a dark, undisturbed home with plenty of keratin-rich material like wool or silk to feed their larvae. Dirty rugs are even more appealing because household dust contains dead skin cells—a gourmet meal for moths.
The Lifecycle of Destruction
It’s not the moths you see flying that do the damage. It’s their larvae. After a moth lays its eggs in a quiet corner of your rug, the larvae hatch and begin chewing through fibres to build their cocoons. The cycle continues unless interrupted—and the longer it goes unnoticed, the worse the damage.
How to Spot the Signs
Loose fibres and bald patches
Fuzzy white cocoons or grainy frass (droppings)
Larvae wriggling deep in the pile
Slow-flying tan moths near your rug
Prevention is Everything
Let in light. Vacuum regularly. Avoid placing rugs under heavy furniture. If you’re storing a rug, have it washed and protected with a moth treatment, then wrap it in Tyvek® or kraft paper—never plastic.
For added peace of mind, our specialist moth treatment makes your rug taste undesirable to moths without affecting its feel or look. It’s our way of stopping an infestation before it ever starts.
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