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Carpet moth - looking for professional treatment

(42 Posts)
Thoro Mon 16-Mar-26 15:45:01

I've just spent a morning on the phone to various pest control companies and feel like I'm going down a rabbit hole!
I have a bad infestation of carpet moths in my wool carpets throughout the house. It has been here the last couple of years but due to ill health I've not really addressed it until today.
One company said heat treatment was the best but most expensive or chemical treatment which was much cheaper.
Another company said heat was for bedbugs and not good for moth and I needed chemicals.
All said I would need to be out of the house for 8-9 hours, one said my two dogs would need to be out 24 hours, others said not. One well known pest control firm wouldn't discuss anything without a surveyor visit at the cost of £120.
Has anyone had any experience of getting rid of carpet moths with professional treatment and what was the best? Thank you

Witzend Tue 17-Mar-26 16:05:44

We’ve had the little buggers for years. Just the other day, since we were going to be out for several hours, we left an anti moth smoke bomb in each room - two in bigger rooms - and are hoping that will put paid to any that are matching out around now.

Thoro Tue 17-Mar-26 16:30:23

Thanks everyone for your input.
Not sure but I think I've learnt there are carpet beetles as well as moths but I think I've only got moths.
I've decided for the moment to stick my head back in the sand (although I might spray some white vinegar or get a steamer.)
I've heart surgery scheduled for next month so will leave it until I have recovered from that🤞. 🫣

NotSpaghetti Tue 17-Mar-26 16:51:15

It might be easy to attract some of the males with pheromone traps?

I do that. I change them quite often.
They are inexpensive and effective.
Mine are made by entopest.

fortproducts.co.uk/product/entopest-10-x-plastic-holders-for-moth-pheromone-control-pads-holders-for-moth-killer-pads-reusable-plastic-holders-for-a-range-of-moth-traps-and-carpet-moth-killer-pads-moth-killer-for-wardrobe/

These are the holders - the sticky cards go in them. Now the ones I hang up I just use a paper-clip to hang them and don't bother with the plastic case.
I change mine every 3 months as a precaution.

Allira Tue 17-Mar-26 17:05:55

Just found one larva on the sitting room carpet.

The little so and so's are persistent.

Grantanow Thu 19-Mar-26 09:33:25

The moth sprays are quite effective but we also use pherenome sticky papers near the carpets/rugs and in wardrobes to kill off the moths. We also put woollen items in sealed bags.

The moths seem to prefer pure wool.

Visgir1 Thu 19-Mar-26 09:48:49

I have always had Wool carpet but last year was the first time, the little blighters got me. Found them in 4 rooms, around the skirting boards but the worst area was they munched a patch under a bed.
I read they like wool plus moisture I found them only a few weeks after I had all the carpets professionally steamed cleaned.
So we used loads of moth spray killer, moth repellent block placed through out the area and I constantly spray with Lavender in areas they were found.
Repeated frequently for months, so far do good, fingers crossed.

Allira Thu 19-Mar-26 10:02:48

and I constantly spray with Lavender in areas they were found.

Yes, I found a spray online - Cedar and Lavender Carpet Spray. Cedar is effective to kill eggs/larvae and lavender to repel the adults, I think.

ClicketyClick Sat 21-Mar-26 09:39:15

I've used this product successfully and is really easy with no effort involved. You just press down and hold the spray button after putting it in the middle of the room and close the door for a couple of hours. There's no after smell but I did open the windows to freshen the room. To be sure, I used one every 3 months for a year. Not seen any since. I appreciate that it may not be for everyone with it not being a natural product but sometimes needs must.

pest-expert.com/pest-expert-formula-p-carpet-beetle-killer-fogger-150ml-324-p.asp

J52 Sat 21-Mar-26 10:16:21

Allira

^and I constantly spray with Lavender in areas they were found.^

Yes, I found a spray online - Cedar and Lavender Carpet Spray. Cedar is effective to kill eggs/larvae and lavender to repel the adults, I think.

I’ve just ordered some, thanks for mentioning it. We haven’t got carpet moths as far as I know, but I’m so paranoid about getting any, clothes or carpet that I always on the look out for preventative ideas.
We recently had a wool stair carpet fitted and the fitter said that they now treat wool carpets with anti moth preparation.

Allira Sat 21-Mar-26 10:44:59

I must spray around the edges of ours. A couple of the little varmints have appeared recently.

Allira Sat 21-Mar-26 10:46:29

J52 we have a couple of pieces of furniture which are difficult, well impossible for us now, to move so I spray as far as I can around them too.

Susie42 Sat 21-Mar-26 16:20:58

I used a company called Borough Pest Control who seem to cover most of the south-east region, and came recommended by the local authority. I found them on the internet and used the local phone number. The operative was very professional arriving early after checking that it was convenient with me. It was quite expensive but covered two treatments a fortnight apart.

MT62 Sun 22-Mar-26 00:21:40

NotSpaghetti

I have just looked this up MT62 and yes, bird and animal nests are the primary "nursery" for the little blighters in nature...
The larvae live in bird nests, squirrel dreys, rodent burrows, or wasp nests etc where they eat leftover feathers, fur, skin flakes, animal hair and feathers, carapace and dried remains.

Yum!

👍🏻

Primrose53 Sun 22-Mar-26 08:33:53

I agree with birds nest being the main hideout for carpet beetles.

We first noticed the little pests when pigeons had built a huge nest of sticks and laid eggs behind a satellite dish on the side of the house between two of the bedroom windows. This was the boiling hot summer 2 years ago. We knocked the nest down as soon as they started building the next year but they would not give up.

Gwyllt Sun 22-Mar-26 10:42:47

The more I read everyone’s post I realise I am in good company !!

Thoro Sun 22-Mar-26 15:51:56

Thank you all for advice and experiences - I have bought a few things from Amazon and will see how that goes. I'm due for heart surgery in a few weeks so I'll put getting professionals involved on hold until after I've recovered.