Oriental rugs are a works of art that can add decorative value to your home, but unfortunately people are not the only ones who enjoy them. Moths love the silky carpet fibers that make up oriental rugs and use them for food and shelter. Before you even realize it your oriental rugs can become invested by moths. Moths enjoy oriental rugs because they are a source of food for the moths and a good environment to reproduce. Over time deposits of moisture, food particles and hair build up in the fibers. Moths will then eat through carpet fibers to find food. Once they get into your rugs the moths start to reproduce and you could end up with an infestation. The most common cause of moth infestations is the simple neglect to vacuum and clean your oriental rugs on a regular basis. Simple vacuuming can reduce your chances of a moth infestation, but it will not always guarantee a moth free rug which is why we suggest mothproofing.

The step to dealing with moth damage is to identify it. One of the first signs that moths are eating your carpets is missing fibers and the look of wear and tear. The moth larva that eats the carpet is not visible at first and hides underneath the surface of the rug. As they eat away at the fibers indentations and wear becomes present. Another sign is black sand like particles underneath your rug. Moth larvae enjoy dark quite untouched places to reproduce and underneath you is the ideal spot. If you notice black sand like particles under your rug it most likely is the debris from the moth larvae egg casings. The more the moths reproduce the more visible they become. The most visible sign of a moth infestation is the presence of rice size eggs, small squirming white larvae and even the moths themselves. Once people notice this is when we usually get a call.

When someone comes to us with moth infested rug it is usually because it was never properly cleaned or maintained or the individual never knew about mothproofing. Mothproofing is a service that involves a safe chemical spray that deters not only moths, but other pests such as beetles and silverfish. Mothproofing chemicals can be applied after every thorough or professional cleaning. It is important to also get mothproofing done on any rugs you plan on keeping in storage. Regular basis cleaning and mothproofing of your oriental rugs will increase longevity, brighten colors and reduce the chance of a moth infestation in your rugs.