Something has eaten my carpet

[marshlander]

This is odd - I've found a bald patch on the carpet down by the side of the fireplace hearth. The wool has been eaten clean away and even the hessian backing in some places.

I've not noticed any moths - It's not under the rug or basket but still I haven't seen it til today as it's normally in the shadow of the brickwork - pretty sure it wasn't there last week I can't see damage anywhere else. The patch is about 12" x 1 - 2" wide (varies).

Any idea what has caused it and more importantly how do I stop it getting worse?

[MKG]

Shooting from the hip (and especially as you mentioned a hearth, which they love) I'd hazard a guess at silverfish. You have to stay up pretty late to spot 'em - they're nocturnal.

Take a look here ...

http://ezinearticles.com/?Get-Rid-of-Si ... id=1716699

and here ...

http://www.getridofthings.com/get-rid-of-silverfish.htm

Mike

[Shirl]

could it be carpet beetle?

[battybird]

We had silver fish many moons ago in our wool carpet and it does sound like they are responsible for your carpet damage! they dont like cloves so it might be worth laying them down after all the hoovering etc. At least it smells nicer than insecticides! We got rid of ours quite easily but seem to recall it being expensive! No isher site then (or internet actually!!) Good luck!

[snapdragon]

If it's all wool it could be clothes (wool) moth

[marshlander]

We had silver fish many moons ago in our wool carpet and it does sound like they are responsible for your carpet damage! they dont like cloves so it might be worth laying them down after all the hoovering etc. At least it smells nicer than insecticides! We got rid of ours quite easily but seem to recall it being expensive! No isher site then (or internet actually!!) Good luck!

Was it the new carpet or how you got rid of them that was expensive? - how did you get rid of them?

[battybird]

Hi
The carpet was quite new but I am afraid I cannot remember how we got rid of them..it was a proprietory insecticide i think! I seem to recall that it would have done for other "bugs" like moth or beetle too. asked OH and he cannot remember either...sorry!

[Keaniebean]

My mum recently had moths in her carpet and it looked exactly as you described. We treated the area with a flea spray for cats and dogs which was about £3.99 as the shop owner advised us that this would work. I then made up sachets using equal parts of the following herbs.

Dried rosemary
Dried wormwood
Dried sage

We had to get the wormwood on line from http://www.baldwins.co.uk

I also used sage, rosemary, thyme, sandalwood and cedarwood essential oils. Basically the stronger it smells the more repellant it is to the moths. It seems to have worked, but you might need to go through your wardrobes and cupboards to see if you can find the source. They had made themselves comfortable in a pair of sheepskin slippers at my mums

[Mrs Moustoir]

We had carpet beetle in our house in the UK - it is the lavae that do the damage. They munched a newish berber/wool carpet but I only discovered the damage once we cleared the lounge when we moved out as it was under furniture.

Mice will also have a nibble at carpets given half a chance but you'd see their droppings about.

[marshlander]

Thanks for the advice. Was up til 2 am last night and came looking for the culprits before going to bed - no sign of anything

This morning OH put on a light wooly jumper and gosh, lots of holes - maybe moths have eaten the carpet too and we vac'd up the evidence befor noticing the damage

Guess I'll have to turn everything out & check - I'll see what I can do anti moth - lavender bags maybe? I know! Stable door,horse etc