Moth Damage in Rugs – How to Spot It, Stop It, and Save Your Rug
You just found bare patches. Or tiny white threads falling out. Maybe even little dusty cocoons tucked into the rug’s edge.
Chances are, you’re dealing with moth damage — and time is not on your side.
At Ahmadi Rug, we specialize in emergency moth damage repair and prevention. We’ve restored rugs that were 40% eaten — and brought them back to life with hand reweaving and structural reconstruction.
Here’s everything you need to know to act fast, save your rug, and avoid thousands in losses.
Why Moths Love Rugs
It’s not the rug they’re after — it’s the protein in the wool. Specifically, keratin found in animal-based fibers like:
- Wool
- Silk
- Goat hair
- Camel hair
Your rug is a gourmet buffet — especially if it’s:
- Undisturbed (stored or under furniture)
- Dirty (dust, spills, skin cells attract them)
- Dark and low-traffic (closets, storage, rarely used rooms)
How to Spot Moth Damage Early
Look for:
- Threadbare areas or irregular holes
- Loose knots or missing pile
- White cobweb-like strands in the foundation
- Sticky “sand” particles — moth excrement
- Flying beige moths near the rug or under furniture
- Edges or back of rug feel dusty or brittle
⚠️ Most clients don’t notice until dozens of larvae have eaten through valuable sections.
What NOT to Do
- Don’t use a steam cleaner — it sets in damage and can shrink structure
- Don’t vacuum too hard — you’ll pull out weakened fibers
- Don’t spray Raid or carpet cleaners — they don’t work on moth eggs
- Don’t assume one treatment is enough — moth eggs hatch in cycles
🛠️ Our Moth Rescue & Repair Protocol
Step 1 – Deep Cleaning + Larvae Neutralization
We remove dust, debris, and invisible eggs using vibration + pH-controlled cold washing.
Step 2 – UV + Visual Inspection
Under UV light, we identify active moth zones, compromised fiber areas, and border damage.
Step 3 – Structural Reinforcement or Reweaving
Depending on severity:
- We secure loose warp/weft
- We hand-reweave eaten pile with matched knots
- We replace missing fringe or edges if needed
Step 4 – Mothproofing
Optional final rinse with natural, non-toxic moth deterrent oils (cedar blend).
Case Study: A Rug Saved from the Brink
Rug: Antique Tabriz wool 8×10
Damage: 25+ visible holes; moths under dining table
Our Solution:
- Full wash + de-larva soak
- Mothproofing rinse
- Hand-reweaving of borders + medallion pattern
- Invisible thread match
Saved a $12,000 heirloom.
Took 10 days total.
Owner now schedules preventive cleanings yearly.
Our Promise
We:
- Never outsource your rug
- Offer honest repair quotes
- Provide mothproofing options
- Give you peace of mind before more damage spreads
📍 Request Emergency Rug Pickup Now →
🔗 Internal Links
- Rug Repair Chicago
- Frayed Rug Edge Repair
- Pet-Damaged Rug Repair
- Proudly Serving all Chicagoland area and all North Shore area
❓ FAQ
Can you fully fix moth holes in a rug?
Yes, if the foundation is intact. Even if not, we can reweave or patch-match in most cases.
What if I just vacuumed it — is that enough?
No. Vacuuming may remove loose eggs, but not hidden larvae or cocoons woven into the base.
How can I prevent this again?
Clean your rugs yearly. Rotate them. Keep them visible. We offer optional non-toxic mothproofing with every wash.
