MOTH DAMAGE

MOTH DAMAGE

Moths are bane of the carpet business and a very serious problem for dealers and collectors who must  spend a lot of time and money periodically fumigating their inventories.Merchants usually do not buy rugs that have more than a small amount of moth damage.Pile loss sometimes occurs because the fleece was inadequately washed prior to dying.This affliction is manifested by missing wool in areas where pile is full,and tiny,but noticeable,larva,or stringly white cotton like organisms,about half an inch in length,throughout the piece.When the small larva is peeled off with the fingernail a little bit of carpet goes with it.The longer the larva remain on the rug the more nap will be lost.If one sees any very thin,thread-like substances on the front or back of the carpet,immediately wipe them away with a fairly soft nylon brush.If the moth presence is superficial,a cleaning may not be necessary.

Advanced destruction on the back of the weaving is exhibited by white areas of bare warp threads uncovered by the wool knots that have been ravaged.

When the damage areas are repaired,the colors and wool texture must  match the rest of the rug perfectly.The colors should not be lighter or darker than the rest of the rug.We are very sensitive to match colors by naturally dyed wool when we repile damage knots otherwise chemically dyed wool will fade more rapidly than the original dyes after successive washings.

Moth damage is more likely to develop in lightly trafficked sections that lie fallow for long periods.Parts of rugs that lie underneath sofas,cabinets,or dressers are particularly vulnerable and should be vacuumed periodically,at least several times a year if possible.Ends,selvedges,and borders are therefore often attacked first,and a little damage in one area is usually a sign of more devastation throughout the piece.Moth flakes or napthalane may occasionally be lightly sprinkled over and under fabric that lies beneath couches,side tables,or bookcases.Storing carpets,rolled up or folded,for many years,is a recipe for disaster.Pieces not in use should be protected with moth balls or flakes(napthalene) and occasionally opened,lightly brushed,vacuumed,and exposed to air and light for a little while.The back of the rug may be lightly sprayed with Lysol.Moth balls or flakes in fairly generous quantities can be thrown on the front and back of the carpet prior to rolling or folding.Do not roll too tightly or place heavy weight on folded pieces because staining from napthalene may occur.Napthalene is highly toxic so one must minimize exposure to it.Wrap rugs in plastic to reduce odor.Flakes are probably superior to balls because they are easier to apply evenly,cover more surface area,and penetrate the pile more deeply.They are less likely to stain than balls because they disintegrate more rapidly,and are moreeffective for protecting kilims.

If there is a lot of damage,the piece may be beyond repair and should perhaps be discarded.We may be consulted to see if the carpet merits restoration.It is not difficult for us to determine if repair is warranted because we know exactly how much pile will be lost during the cleaning.If the rug is important,or of high sentimental value,it is usually worth the price of a cleaning to find out how much remains intact.

Afghan carpets,with their inadequately washed,greasy wool,are frequently at high risk for moth development and should be vacuumed and cleaned with great regularity.Chemically washed rugs are less susceptible to moths but must still be protected with napthalene.Sprays that kill moths are avaible in  carpet supply stores.

Flying clothes moths do not eat your rugs, but the females do lay hundreds of eggs each, and the eggs hatch into larvae that consume wool, fur, feather, and silk fibers. Moths and their larvae thrive in dark, undisturbed areas where a rug gets little traffic and is not often vacuumed. A bad infestation sometimes leaves a cobweb-like veil in the area of the damage, along with fine, sand-like debris. An infestation often involves more than one rug, and can spread to (or from) woolens or furs hanging in a closet or sweaters stored in a drawer. A rug damaged by moths is not difficult to repair, but reweaving a large area of the rug can be expensive.

To prevent moth damage:

· Vacuum the entire face of the rug weekly if possible. At least several times a year, vacuum the back side of the rug and the pad and floor underneath. If the rug is too large to handle, flip the edges over, and vacuum at least one to two feet in along the borders on the back side of the rug. The corresponding areas on the pad and floor should also be vacuumed.

· Be aware that moth balls, flakes, or crystals (naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene) are ineffective in moth control for rugs. These materials act only as a minor repellent to moths. They do not kill moth larvae, and the naphthalene odor can be unpleasant and difficult to remove from the rug. Cedar scent is useless as a prevention for moth damage.

· Any place the vacuum cannot reach, such as areas of the rug under furniture, or a rug hung on the wall, can be sprayed with a household, non-staining insecticide made for the purpose. Most of these products contain pyrethrins (a class of insecticide originally extracted from the flower heads of chrysanthemums) among the active ingredients. Although poisonous to many varieties of insects, pyrethrins break down quickly after application and are considered safe for use in the home. BE CAREFUL IN CHOOSING AND APPLYING ANY INSECTICIDE. Choose a product designed for the intended use and follow directions for application, storage, and disposal carefully.

If a rug will be stored for a long period see the recommendations on storage