Carpet moths in bedroom, how do we get rid of these without harsh chemicals/treatment?

[ArnieandBob]

I was cleaning under my bed yesterday and noticed there was a large patch where the carpet was worn away which was really strange.

On closer inspection I have found two other areas under our bedside cabinets.

Quick google suggested carpet moths and again, on closer inspection I have discovered lots of little caterpillar/maggot-like creatures (makes me feel itchy thinking about it!).

The problem is that we don't have a spare room so will need to treat this whilst we are still sleeping in the room. Dh has Asthma so we are not too keen to spray with a harsh chemicals. We do have a carpet cleaner and wonder if it's possible to hoover then wash the carpet with the cleaner, does anyone know if this would kill them?

Will obviously now need to replace the carpet but funds are low atm (what with Christmas and 6 birthdays looming), so will have to wait until the new year.

Any suggestions on what can be done in the meantime? We have never had any kind of infestation in the 25 years we have lived here and feel a bit lousy tbh.

Carpet needs removing and underlay and gripper. Dispose of it in plastic bags, you don't want to contaminate the rest of the house. Make up a bleach solution to wash the subfloor and leave 48 hours to dry.

Then have new carpets and underlay/gripper fitted but nothing with any wool in it. That's what they go for, natural fibres. Little bastards are near impossible to get rid of once they're in so you just have to get rid of what is attractive to them.

We got rid of them with vacuuming and some spray from Lakeland, it's been several years now and no re-infestation. Didn't lift or replace the carpet.

We simply can not afford a new carpet right now, it's out of the question so not sure what to do. The carpet is wool and was really expensive. I am so annoyed the buggers have ruined it.

Suppose we will have to have bare floorboards for a while. I don't relish the idea with Winter looming.

I'll look on the Lakeland site, thanks.

Without using any chemicals there isn't much else to be done. Anything to kill them will give off fumes.

Could you get a cheap remnant from somewhere? I did my front room for less than £300 with an offcut.

Don't buy wool carpets again if you're in an area where moths are a problem. They're lovely quality but will always attract them even those that are treated against them. I work for a flooring store and the amount of people who have carpet moth problems is huge. They're a really common problem but seem to be on the decrease since polypropylene carpets became popular.

I used these, the moths just disappeared dragonfli.co.uk/products/clothes-moth-egg-sachets

They will be difficult to get rid of without replacing the carpets.

You'll need to hoover constantly, keep moving the furniture around to different places (they don't like sunlight). Clean the bottom of the bed too, they could be on the frame. Bug sprays are useful but they are pretty toxic and IME didn't work completely anyway. You can buy moth traps to stop them breeding.

Check all your other rooms, curtains, your clothes drawers and wardrobes. The little buggers get everywhere. Good luck!

Appreciate you are limited on funds, but I found professional pest control for fleas very effective for also getting rid of moths. You remain out of the house for 5 hours, the product is water-based and so no fumes to come back to. I was very worried about inhaling nasties but there was nothing. Might be worth getting a quote from an independent local firm. If you go for professional moth control that is much more expensive as it's done by heat.

As for synthetic carpets - our polypropylene mix carpet has been eaten down to the underlay in (hidden) areas, while a pure wool carpet hasn't been touched.

I'll have to look around this weekend and see if we can find something cheap and temporary.
Definitely won't be purchasing wool again, it was really expensive and 5 years on its now ruined.
I'm so annoyed.

Thanks LemonFanta1
I'll check that out.

ToffeeForEveryone looks like dh and I have a busy weekend ahead, deep joy!

CeruleanDive I'll have a ring around later, see how much they are quoting.