Fighting moths in the carpet - how it works

The caterpillars of the clothes moth are able to completely destroy your carpet. You can prevent moths in the carpet if you fight the little pests early.

Detect signs of the infestation

The caterpillars live exclusively on animal hair. Therefore, your wool and silk carpets are particularly at risk.

• Examine eligible carpets every two months in summer.
• Pay attention to thin spots and small holes.
• Black crumbs on the carpet are also a sign.
• If you have found a moth infestation, vacuuming alone is not enough. You can only exterminate the moths with heat or cold.

You can fight the moths with these home remedies

These home remedies can already help with smaller carpets:

• The moth caterpillars do not like lavender or cedar wood and can thus be driven out of the carpet.
• You can vacuum a small carpet, roll it up and wrap it in foil. Then store the carpet at least minus 20 degrees for a few days. This kills eggs and larvae.
• Caterpillars can also be exterminated with great heat. A convection oven is well suited for this. Place the carpet on the grate and leave it in the oven at a temperature of 50 to 55 degrees for about an hour.
• If you have a sauna at home, it is a good idea to heat the carpet here.

Use of chemical agents

If the carpet is large, the home remedies tend to be out of the question. Now you have to help with chemistry.

• Obtain an insecticide that contains permethrin or pyrethrum from specialist retailers. This poison is approved for organic farming and harmless to humans.
• Spray the spray on the infested carpet.
• The drug works for three months. Repeat the treatment after three, six and nine months.
• This is necessary because the eggs do not die from the poison. After a year, however, all the caterpillars should have hatched from eggs.

Prevention of re-infestation

As a preventative measure, you should regularly clean your carpets with a vacuum cleaner.

• Moths find a clean carpet less attractive.
• Place mosquito screens on your windows to keep the moths out of the house.