Part 1 of the article can be found here
The Solution
One of the main reasons I wrote this article was that I heard many tales from people how difficult they are to get rid of. I believe that in many cases, this is because the infestation has not been treated fully or properly. In most instances, if all procedures are followed step by step, the treatment is highly successful. Dozens of times, I have witnessed the ‘light bulb’ moment on a client’s face, who, having struggled to combat these pests, understood instantly when I explained the importance of moving and treating under all the big, heavy furniture because those are exactly the places the moths seek out!
Localised treatment.
In order to save our client’s money and try and provide a less blunt instrument than the oft quoted, “you’ll need to fumigate the house and it’ll cost £150.00 per room!”, we have developed our own system of treatment where moth is detected in its early stages, perhaps in a single room, we recommend, initially at least, carrying out a localised treatment in that one room.
The carpet needs to be thoroughly vacuumed, particularly around the edges using a crevice tool, moving all furniture and then treated with a moth eliminator. (As it is a water based spray, it is important to put the furniture back on foil or polystyrene blocks to prevent dye transfer or rust marks forming from metal studs on the furniture legs).
IMPORTANT !!
A very important point often overlooked, is that once the eliminator is applied, the carpet should not then be vacuumed for three weeks. The reason for this is that the treatment remains effective killing fresh larvae as they emerge from any surviving eggs. Carpets throughout the house should then be monitored closely with furniture moved regularly to check for moths. If they reappear, particularly in other rooms, full treatment of all wool/wool mix carpets and susceptible clothing is recommended.
Full Treatment
Where moth infestation has taken hold in more than one room, we recommend treating all wool and wool mix carpets in the home. All furniture will require moving, thorough vacuuming and treatment with eliminator as described above.
Ongoing Care
Once treated, (after the 3 week no vacuuming period), we recommend regular thorough vacuuming particularly around the edges with a crevice tool, also regularly moving furniture particularly beds, sofas and wall units etc. Be vigilant and look out for adult moths or the silken cases of the larvae/pupae which resemble grains of rice.
One useful aid to keep moth numbers down are pheromone traps. Female moths emit pheromones to attract a mate. These traps employ a synthetically produced equivalent to lure males to a sticky pad from which they can’t escape. They are inexpensive yet highly effective, helping to greatly reduce the problem.
Guarantee
Can you guarantee they will not come back again?
On a long term basis no. The treatment will get rid of the moths present now but can do nothing to prevent further infestations in years to come. The eliminator will only remain active in the carpet for a matter of weeks.
Other than for the localised treatment, should moths be found in any room following a full treatment, we will return free of charge and re-treat up to a period of 90 days. (We will not make the same guarantee following a localised treatment because it is possible the moths are from a different source.)
Precautions/Safety Information
You should vacate rooms being treated for at least 30 minutes after spraying to avoid inhalation of any airborne mist. Modern treatments are less toxic than their forebears but it is important to stress the following point.
Important
Moth eliminator is an insecticide and is fatal to fish. It attacks their respiratory system in the same way it attacks those of the intended victims. Fish tanks or bowls should be covered during treatment and for at least 20 minutes afterwards with a sheet or towel.
I Think I Have Moths, So What Shall I Do Now?
1. First and foremost; don’t panic! Moth attack is a gradual process. They aren’t going to destroy your carpet overnight and they represent no health threat to you, children or pets.
2. Call for advice. We’ll do what we can to help over the phone and, if necessary, we’ll send a suitably qualified person out, (usually at no cost), to give advice. You will be amazed how often we are called to a problem and find it isn’t carpet moth at all!
3. Treatment. People’s attitude to moths varies greatly. At one end, the householder wants them dealt with now, period. Others are more concerned about the treatment, after all, it is an insecticide and they don’t want it in their home. There are many who have installed pheromone traps and happily manage the problem by keeping numbers to a very low level.
4. Future Carpet Purchases. There are now wool carpets on the market which are being sold as ‘moth-proofed. Moth proofing is a factory applied treatment which makes the protein (keratin) in the wool indigestible to insects. The treatments are designed to last for the lifetime of the carpet and the ones we have discovered come with a manufacturer’s guarantee.
This is a great step forward for those who love ‘proper’ wool carpets and they have been developed with human health implications at the forefront, ensuring they are perfectly safe for children and pets.
Please Note: Moth proofing can only be applied at the point of manufacture, it is not available as an ‘aftercare’ product.
Article written by Phil Hall of TLC Carpet Cleaning Specialists 01761 235600 info@rugandcarpetcleaningbath.co.uk