The destructive Case Bearing Clothes Moth (Tinea pellionella) or Carpet Moth, is a hugely damaging insect that mainly attacks carpets in secluded spots, under furniture and in undisturbed areas. If carpeting is removed, this moth may attack clothes or soft furnishings. With reproduction, female carpet moth produce 30-300 eggs per sitting and the resultant larvae can decimate your carpets. If the environment is perfect for them, up to 6 broods per year is possible, and in this case, damage can be extensive. These larvae spin silken, cooked rice like cases in which to hide, incorporating carpet fibres so the case can be a similar colour to the attacked carpet !
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Due to this pest attacking mainly carpet, the treatment is more simple than if you are treating the Common Clothes Moth.
Essentially you need to apply insecticide to at least the affected area and one metre beyond the visibly attacked area.
Carpet Moth will attack carpet that has higher than average moisture content, so expect to find more evidence on carpet that abutts external walls. They do not often infest traffic areas, ie: where you regularly walk or vacuum.
Firstly, carry out a full inspection, moving furniture away from walls to expose any hidden carpet, this may reveal unexpected evidence!
Vacuum through the treatment area and remove all moth "cases" that may be found on walls and even ceilings near the affected carpet. You can vacuum these off in most situations. In our experience, carpet moth pupal cases are mainly found on the carpet being attacked.
Belt and braces approach is to lift the edges of the carpet where activity is spotted and treat the reverse side of the carpet, prior to treatment of the upper surface. For under carpet treatment, we recommend Pro-Active Dust, which is non toxic, needs no second application once in place and will last for years. The dust should be applied to an area of up to 500mm from the skirting in a band around the infested carpet again extending 1 metre either side of the evidently attacked carpet adjacent the skirting. We suggest a maximum 500ml band of dust along the edge of the room under the carpet, being sure to apply some dust under the skirtings if there are gaps between skirtings and floor. If there is clear evidence of activity beyond 500ml form the skirting then by all means apply a band wide enough to extend out from the skirting to the last signs of infestation going toward the centre of the room. You can also use insecticidal spray for this treatment but the activity period will be greatly reduced, giving little long term protection.
Once you have completed sub carpet treatment (should you choose the belt and braces approach) you need to carry out the surface treatment.
Apply Pro-Active C liquid insecticide to the upper carpet fibres. Best practice would be to stick to applying insecticide to the areas of carpet showing carpet moth attack, however, in our opinion, applying insecticide to the whole carpet in an infested room will give more certaintly of control. Do not soak the carpet but ensure a good dampness is applied overall.
Pro-Active C has an extended life of perhaps up to 8 weeks, however, we recommend a second application after 4-6 weeks from the initial spray treatment. This will ensure extended life of the treatment giving the best chance of total eradication.
Allow the treated carpet to dry before moving any furniture back into its original position, or use clingfilm on the parts of the furniture that will be in contact with the carpet, otherwise there is a risk of furniture stain leeching into the damp carpet.
You can also use other carpet moth killer sprays for this treatment and we have found that Rentokil Crawling Insect Killer aerosol is popular and gives deep penetration into the carpet and rapid kill. Natural insect killer sprays can also be used but kill rate will be slow and several treatments may be required.
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