Why undisturbed rooms are the risk
Carpet moth larvae eat natural fibres, wool carpet, clothing, upholstery, and thrive in whatever corner goes weeks without being disturbed, as anyone near Kew will recognise, where leafy streets of period houses close to Kew Gardens and the river. A spare room, the underside of furniture that rarely moves, and the back of a wardrobe are typical starting points in any home.
Georgian townhouses in the conservation areas
Richmond's Georgian townhouses, many sitting within conservation areas, often still have original wool carpeting in rooms kept mostly for show, and that combination of natural fibre and low disturbance is exactly what carpet moth larvae need.
What to look for
Look for pale bristly larvae, silken tubes woven into the pile, and uneven bare patches close to a skirting board, whether that's near Whitton, where quieter suburban streets with a mix of semis and terraced housing, or elsewhere in the borough. Small, pale and reluctant fliers, adult moths mean the damage tends to be spotted long before the moth itself, much as it does near Richmond, where georgian townhouses and riverside streets close to Richmond Park and the town centre.
Beyond the carpet
An established infestation rarely stays confined to the flooring, as anyone near Whitton will recognise, where quieter suburban streets with a mix of semis and terraced housing. It's worth checking clothing, blankets and any upholstered furniture stored in the same rooms, especially wool items that haven't seen use or fresh air recently, much as it does near Richmond, where georgian townhouses and riverside streets close to Richmond Park and the town centre.
What to do before treatment
- Vacuum thoroughly, including under furniture and along skirting boards, and empty the vacuum outside
- Have affected clothing dry-cleaned or washed hot rather than put straight back in a drawer
- Move stored boxes and furniture away from walls so the edges can be reached
- Avoid vacuuming the surface only and assuming that's dealt with it - larvae sit deeper in the pile
Booking carpet moth treatment in Richmond upon Thames
Carpet moth treatment in Richmond upon Thames is priced at £180 for the first room and £60 for each additional room, and given that around Twickenham, where riverside houses and terraces close to the Thames, it is worth checking older rooms first before you book carpet moth treatment and tell us which rooms show damage, with the rest on the Richmond upon Thames carpet moth treatment page.
