Oriental Rug Care - MOTH

Genuine hand-knotted Oriental and Persian rugs are extra durable and can last a full life time and more, provided you know how to take care of them.
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​Let us look at the Moth issues.

What causes severe damage is when the female moth lay their eggs (many), which hatch into larvae and consume silk fibers, wool, feather, and fur. Their ideal environment where they thrive in is anywhere warm, dark and quiet. The parts of the rug that receive the less foot traffic and are less vacuumed is a moth paradise. How to know if your rug is being infested by moths? You will notice sand-like debris along with a cobweb-like veil in the damaged area. 

Now, to be able to identify the presence of moths, here are some signs to help you.
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1. Bare spots in the pile – Larvae moths show clear preferences towards the taste of a specific color yarn over another. Bare spots can be tastier, especially if they have the particular color moths love to consume.
2. Cocoons – Cylinders of about 1/8” in diameter and approx. ½ an inch long (usually the same color as the pile of the rug) are a strong indication of moth activity. Know that larvae have the ability to camouflage their cocoon to blend in with the color of the surrounding wool. Just after hatching, moth larvae about 3/8” long can be seen in the pile, right before they construct their cocoons. This is when they eat the wool.
3. Flying moths – Clothing moth is less than 3/8” long and is either soft brown or silver tan in color. It flies slowly, and if you attempt to catch it with your hands when flying, it will fold its wing and just drop to the floor.
4. Loose or Broken Piles – It means that the larvae chew through the bindings or yarn overcastings.
5. Sand-like particles – This is the excretion of the larvae and is usually granular in look and brown or tan in color. You can spot them down in the rug’s pile.

Rug CARE

Basics to prevent moth damage
​Vacuum your rug every other week. The back side of the rug should also be vacuumed several times a year.
If you cannot handle the rug because of its size, flip its ends over and vacuum at least a couple of feet in along the borders of its back side (remember to do the same with the floor and pad, as well).
Keep the A/C on, a hot humid room attracts moths quickly.
Use a professional to clean your rugs - Rugport