ALERT!!! MOTHS ARE ATTACKING VICTORIA'S WOOL RUGS

Just because you aren't using your rug doesn't mean that something isn't. When you roll up your rug and store it away without cleaning it, even for a short time, clothes moth can make it their home.

Clothes moth like the climate in Victoria, BC and have done a lot of damage to many wool rugs. Clothes moths are very small, about an half an inch long, and are a golden colour, but it is their larvae that eats the wool on your rugs and clothing. After the egg hatches into a very tiny worm like larvae they immediately start eating your wool rug and it doesn't take long for them to do a lot of damage.

On May 12, 2011 Luv-A-Rug received 3 phones in a row about moths that have eaten area rugs. The first call came from Duncan, BC about many rugs that had moth damage to them. The rugs were cleaned then rolled up and store in the same room that their pet Parrots slept in. The owner was wondering how the clean rugs got infested since the rugs were not used.

The small feathers and bird droppings would have attracted the moths and then they would have moved onto the rugs for a more undisturbed food source. That is why wrapping your rugs properly after cleaning is so important. Even though the rugs were cleaned if they aren't wrapped up, NEVER IN PLASTIC, they can collect the organic dust from humans and pets in the air and moths will move in on your wool rugs.

Out of sight is not the best when it comes to your wool rugs. It may seem like an hassle or and added expense to get your rugs cleaned, but what is cheaper; getting your rugs cleaned or having to deal with a moth infestation or worse having to replace the rug?

The second call came from a storage facility here in Victoria that had a client who stored a very large rug in one of their units for under a year. The rug was around 15x20 feet and stored standing on one end and when they took it out of the storage unit one end had a lot of moth damage. Chances are that a rug that size had moths present on the rug before storing and it was not cleaned or wrapped prior to storing. The owners of the rug decided to toss the rug and the owners of the storage place called up and wanted to know how much to clean and repair it.

The third call was from a lovely retired lady who lives in Cordova Bay here in Victoria. She had a flood in her home and her British Indian rug got wet, so the rug was rolled up and put away while the flood damage was fixed to the rest of the floor. When she went to put the rug back she discovered that moths had damaged one end of it.

She called to get us to take a look at it, she had done a Google search for moth damage, to see if it could be trimmed back and re edged. The boss is going to go take a look at it on Saturday when he does free pick up and delivery. I can tell you without looking at the rug that we can save her rug and make it usable again.

This rug is a 9x12.8 wool British India (Aubusson)and we are cutting both ends of the rug back to the same point of the pattern to make it symmetrical and serging the ends.

The rug got flooded and had a piece of furniture on it, so along with sever moth damage there is the rust stains as well.



There is also a twist to this story, the owners are moving into a small place and having to trim back the rug to a smaller size means that they can use the rug in their new dining room. It just goes to show that not all rug disasters end with the rug getting thrown out.

Now I bet you are thinking that we always say we can fix any rug no matter what shape it is in, but you would be incorrect. The staff at Luv-A-Rug know how the different types of area rugs are made and the cleaning concerns for each rug and stain.When you have us clean your rug we let you know if it is worth cleaning and what the cleaning results will be.

Before you throw away your old, really dirty, or damaged area rug bring it to us or get us to pick it up first. If you like your rug we will do our best to save it and make it lovable for you.

Here's to less rugs in the landfill, RugloverMary.

Live Moth Larva, cute but dangerous

The elusive wool eating moth larva are shy little guys and it is hard to see them at work, but I have found them damaging a wool area rug. This rug was rolled up in a room that was used regularly and everyday dust and dirt made it a perfect home for moths.


They are hard to see up close with the camera because the largest one was no more that 1/4 of an inch long. There were more moth larva on this 3x5 foot rug, but as soon as I tried to get a closer look they disappeared into the fibers. These little guys were not that old, a few days at the most. They had not eaten enough wool yet to make any serious damage, but it wouldn't have taken much longer for them to do damage.

When you are not using your rugs get them cleaned before storing them, even if you are leaving them rolled up in a spare room. Moths don't care which room you put them in or if it is only for a month. They want a food supply for their larva to eat when they hatch.

After you get your rug cleaned if it is not wrapped properly for storage the rug can still become victim of moths. If your rug can get dust and dirt on it from the air it can make a good home for moths eventually. NEVER WRAP AREA RUGS IN PLASTIC FOR STORAGE! Plastic traps in moisture which causes many other problems to your rug whether it is wool or synthetic. It is best to use Tyvek, this is what they use to wrap houses in as a moisture barrier. Tyvek is breathable, but doesn't let moisture in making it ideal for storing area rugs in.

If you suspect your rugs have a moth issue call Luv-A-Rug a 250-590-6210/1-800-886-2802 or bring your rugs to 445 Beta St, off Alpha St.

Thanks for reading, RugloverMary, protecting your rugs from moths.

The Beginnings of moth damage to a Wool rug

Eagle eyes can stop Moth damage

I have written a lot of blogs about moth damage, but it was after the larva had eaten away a lot of the wool fibers. On Saturday we picked up a large Chinese rug from the Oak Bay area that had the beginnings of moth damage. Now when you inspect the back edges of your rug you will have a better idea what to look for.

As you can see the damage is very slight, but after a few weeks the larva can eat several inches and you wouldn't know it until you vacuumed and a hole appeared.

Whenever we find any evidence of moth larva activity we have to put your rug through our non-toxic moth treatment. The moth eggs are too small to see with the naked eye and the female moth can lay up to a hundred eggs at one time. There is no way of knowing how many eggs have hatched or how many are waiting to hatch.

Contrary to popular myth moth eggs do not go dormant for months like flea eggs. After a few weeks of not having the ideal hatching conditions they die, but again there is no way to tell if the eggs are still alive. That is why we must do our moth treatment to all rugs with any signs of moth activity. We cannot have cross contamination to our shop or another rug, plus it isn't good business to send a rug home and have the moth larva hatch and eat the rug.

If you can catch the moth damage early enough there is no visible damage to your rug. Remember a clean rug doesn't attract moths, so get your rug cleaned professionally every year or two, vacuum your entire rug often and check under the edges (4-6 inches) for the starting of moth activity.

If you do find moth activity call us and we will come pick up your rug and start our moth treatment right away.
250-590-6210/1-800-886-2802. Or if your rug is small you can bring it to our place at 445 Beta St (off Alpha St) Victoria BC.

Thanks for reading, RugloverMary

Another Rug Victim to Moths

What lurks in your basement could be eating your area rug

Last month we had a lovey lady come into Luv-A-Rug asking about getting a very large rug cleaned. The rug had been rolled up in the basement for years.

She was hosting a very special musical event here in Victoria and needed a rug to go under the piano.
The rug size was estimated at 12x16 feet, a very large rug by today's standards.

The area rug was not professionally cleaned nor properly wrapped for storage. My first thought and concern was that the rug was home to a lot of moth larva and damage. Moth's only leave a rug when they run out of the food source, ie wool.

The boss went to her house to look at the rug, and I am sad to report that it was very moth damaged. We could have cleaned the rug and did our moth treatment to it, but it was unusable. The moths had eaten away too much of the fibers to hide the damage.

All too often area rugs are rolled up and put in basements and storage units without being professionally cleaned and wrapped correctly for storage. Moths love dirty, dark, undisturbed area rugs. Having a dirty rug rolled up and stored improperly is prime for the little moths. Luv-A-Rug cleans and wraps area rugs for storing.

Do not take for granted that if you use a professional storage unit that your rug will be safe. Two weeks ago I had two phone calls from a client here in Victoria and one from Vernon, BC where their rugs were in Storage Places and their rugs got wet. Both were caused by carelessness of the Storage Places not the people renting the units. If the rugs were wrapped in Tyvek for storage they would have been safe.

No matter if you are storing it for a few months or years. It doesn't take long for a pregnant female moth to lay 50-100 eggs and for them to hatch and start eating your beloved rug. It saves you time and money to get your rug cleaned before putting it away.

You may think that I have written enough about moths and the damage they cause, but I don't think so. If that were the case I wouldn't see a lot less rugs that had moth damage. It is as simple as that.

Thanks for reading, RugloverMary wool moth expert

40 Years and Still going Strong

Yesterday we received a 9x12.5 wool Chinese area rug. The owner has had it for around 40 years and it has a lot of memories tied into it. The golden colour is very retro, but still can hold it's own even today.



Large area rugs are prime targets for damage from moths or carpet beetles. I know it wasn't moth that ate this rug. There was no larva casings any where on the rug.

When ever a large rug comes in for cleaning I always look for moth damage. Large rugs have furniture on them and have areas that are not used.

Moth damage can take weeks to happen, so it doesn't mean that you are not diligent in your cleaning. It only takes one pregnant female to lay her many eggs in an area that doesn't get walked on or vacuumed often.

To prevent moth's from making your rug lunch:

• vacuum the entire area rug at least once a month
• rotate your rug often
• have your rug cleaned professionally deep cleaned every year or two
• if you find any evidence of moth activity get your area rug taken care of by a professional

Moth's are wool''s natural enemy. By keeping your area rugs as clean as possible it is a lot less likely you will have moth damage.

Thanks for reading, RugloverMary

Another Moth Vacation comes to an End

It is very sad when we get in an area rug that has been infested by moths. For some rugs it is just a bit of minor damage, for others it can be an all out free buffet and the whole family shows up.

This video is of a small Gabbeh area rug that has somewhat minor, but noticeable, moth damage, and a moth larva caught in the act. I do apologize for the blurriness of the video. I was trying to get all the action that was happening and not paying attention to what I was doing with the camera.



THE BEST WAY TO PREVENT THIS IS TO HAVE YOUR RUGS CLEANED BEFORE STORING THEM.
No matter how short of a period. It only takes one pregnant female moth to lay 50+ eggs and your rug is a haven.

ALSO TO VACUUM THE ENTIRE RUG OFTEN.

Moth's cannot survive on a clean rug, they need dirt, dust, food spills, and for the rug to be undisturbed.

I know that it isn't easy to vacuum ALL of the rug because of furniture placement, but it is worth it!

It is cheaper to pay a few neighbour kids or con family members into doing it for you than having to replace the rug and getting rid of the moth infestation.
Here is more information about the life cycle of the moth, how to prevent an infestation and what to do if you find one.

Just like with fires.............Only you can prevent a moth infestation!

Thanks for reading and viewing, RugloverMary

Moth season=bad day for wool rugs

Moths are having a grand time on people's rugs this year. We have a few rugs in lately that got moth damage in the last few months. This is my third blog about Moth's. I will remind every rug owner to vacuum the entire rug. The part of the rug that is under furniture is prime real estate for moth larvae to feed on. A yearly professional cleaning and a monthly vacuum is the best defense against wool's number one enemy.
Plus check underneath the rug at least six inches. This picture shows moth damage on the back of the rug. The moth larvae can feed there undetected until one day you vacuum the rug and a bunch of the fibers are sucked up. The damage on this rug was caught in time that no repairs had to be done and there was no visible damage to the top of the rug. This shows how slight the damage can be and also how sneaky the moths can be. They do not care where their food source is, just that they have one so they can survive. Another reason the spring and autumn cleaning are so important. Out of sight does not equal peace of mind. Yes it is a pain and a hassle, but it can save your furniture and precious area rugs.







When this rug came in to the shop I was sad and excited. Sad because this rug could not be saved the damage was too severe. The rug was rolled up in a basement for awhile unprotected and the moth's had a new home. I was excited because this rug didn't just have moth larvae casings it has live larvae. Some were newly hatched because they were still clear and the older ones were the colour of the wool they had been eating. By the time I took pictures the larvae had disappeared into the fibers, they are shy and don't like their pictures taken.:) All the blue sand like particles is the larva's excrement and the flat rice looking pieces are the empty moth larvae casings (where they hatched from). This is only a few inches of the rug, the moth larva were all over it in different clumps of sections. Sometimes if the damage is only in one area we can repair it by trimming it off, yes some of the rug is lost but it would of still been usable. This is done after we do our moth treatment and do a thorough cleaning. Click to read more about moths and their life cycle and how to prevent them and what to do if you find that you have an infestation.
Thanks for reading, RugloverMary

Proper Storage of Area Rugs

One of the saddest parts of working at Luv-A-Rug is seeing an area rug that has moth larvae damage. I say moth larvae instead of just moth because it is not the moth that does the damage.

The most important thing to do when storing an area rug is to get it Professionally Cleaned before storing:

• A clean area rug lacks the nutrients most insects need to survive.

Wrap it in a waterproof,breathable sheet, such a Tyvek.

Tyvek is a registered trademark of DuPont. Tyvek is made with 100% high-density polyethylene fibers. The fibers are continuous and as thick as a human hair. When making Tyvek the fibers are continuous and non directional and then is flash spun using no binding agents or fillers. Tyvek is hard to tear, but can easily be cut with scissors or any sharp object.

The benefits of using Tyvek to store your area rugs in are: it is lightweight, has a neutral pH factor, and allows water vapour to pass through, but not liquid water.
Tyvek can be purchased from any hardware/home building store, but Luv-A-Rug can wrap your area rug in Tyvek after cleaning.

The area in which you store your area rug is important too. Store your area rugs in a place that is not too hot or too cold or prone to extreme temperature fluctuations and has low humidity. Your area rug should be laid flat. Do not stand it up on its end, that is not good for the rug. Do not store your area rug against an outside wall, the wall gets too cold, nor on a concrete floor, again too cold.

There is no ideal spot to store your area rug just ideal conditions. Remember that out of sight does not equal peace of mind. Periodically check your stored area rug to make sure that the wrapping hasn't been punctured by something. For long term storage moth balls (moth balls do come in a fresh scent of cedar, so no more musty smell) are recommended to be included with your area rug. Every precaution should be taken to make sure that your area rugs are safe, dry and ready to be enjoyed for years to come.

I am going to get a lot of flack from the area rug cleaning world when I post this, but I have proof. I have proof that ALL area rugs are susceptible to moth damage no matter the fibers. It is widely known that moths need natural fibers to survive, but if the rug is dirty enough it doesn't matter. This is the second synthetic, yes Synthetic area rug I have seen in my two years here at Luv-A-Rug with moth damage. The pink arrows are pointing to the eaten areas.




This is a picture of the back to prove that it is a machine made synthetic area rug. I have no way of knowing if the larvae survived long enough to turn into moths or if they died from eating a synthetic fiber. There were no larvae casings when I saw the rug, but if the rug was vacuumed before it was brought in the casings would have been sucked up. All area rugs should be professionally cleaned before storing.
When unwrapping your stored area rug that contained moth balls please do so in a well ventilated area and let the rug air out for a day or two. There may not be that old familiar musty smell but the gas the moth balls give off is still present.
If you have any other storage questions please do not hesitate to contact Luv-A-Rug(e-mail: luvvie@shaw.ca or phone 250-475-3922 or 1-800-886-2802 or drop by our shop at 445 Beta St (Alpha St) Victoria, BC website: www.luvarug.com) and we will be more than happy to assist you.
Since I cannot think of a better sign off line I will still say Thanks for reading! The Polished Area Rug Cleaner