Moth damage

Moth damage is the work of larvae: clothes moths lay their eggs on wool, and it is the larvae that eat a rug, grazing the pile and leaving irregular holes, silk webbing and gritty droppings. They prefer dark, undisturbed places, and particularly like the ground under furniture and the edges of carpets. Regular vacuuming, including under furniture, discourages them, and conservators advise checking stored rugs every year.

Also moths · clothes moth · webbing clothes moth · carpet moth · moth eaten

See also Rug washing, Underlay, Rotating a rug

Last reviewed November 2026