Moths in a wool rug show up as bare patches eaten down to the knots, tufts that pull out easily, and silky webbing or tiny cocoons, usually under furniture or along edges that stay dark. It is the larvae, not the flying moths, that eat the wool.
Signs of moths
- Thin or bare patches where the pile is gone and the knots or foundation show.
- Pile that comes away when you brush it with your hand.
- Silky webbing, small tube-like cases, or sandy grit the same color as the wool.
- Small, pale moths that fly away from light.
- Damage on the back of the rug, where it is often worse than on the front.
What to do right away
- Vacuum thoroughly. Both sides of the rug, the floor underneath and the edges of the room, then empty the vacuum outside.
- Keep it apart. Move the rug away from other wool rugs, blankets and clothes.
- Have it washed. A full hand wash removes eggs and larvae from the pile and the foundation, where vacuuming cannot reach.
- Check your other wool. Moths rarely stop at one rug.
How to prevent moths
- Vacuum often, including under sofas, beds and other furniture that rarely moves.
- Turn the rug and move furniture now and then, so no area stays dark and undisturbed.
- Keep it clean. Moths go first for wool with food, sweat or pet stains in it.
- Store rugs clean. Wash a rug before storing it, wrap it in breathable cotton rather than plastic, and check it every few months.
- Use pheromone moth traps to see early whether moths are around.
Can moth damage be repaired?
Usually, yes. Eaten pile can be rewoven by hand to match the surrounding knots, and loose sides and ends can be secured. How much can be done depends on whether the foundation is still intact, so the sooner the better. We clean and repair moth damage at our Chicago and Evanston showrooms; see rug cleaning and repair, or chat with us with a photo of the damage. For everyday care, see how to care for a handmade rug.