Insect Damage

Although several different types of insects can damage wool rugs almost all of the damage that is seen is the result of carpet beetles and clothes moths. Clothes moths are small, only about ¼” in length as opposed to the more common food infesting moths which are double that size. Their flight pattern is somewhat distinctive as they flutter about erratically usually only near the infested area and they are not attracted to lights. The females lay an average of 40-50 eggs in darker, undisturbed areas and the eggs typically hatch in 1-2 weeks. The larvae emerge and use the wool as a food source. The larval stage may last from one month up to 2 ½ years.

Carpet beetles, depending on the species, range in size from 1/10” to 3/16” and their bodies somewhat resemble lady bugs in shape. Adult beetles are pollen and nectar feeders so they often fly into homes from nearby flowers or piggyback on fresh cut flowers. As with clothes moths it is the larvae that feed on wool and the larval stage may last up to 21 months.