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Your carpets and rugs are constantly under attack from forces that cause gradual damage. Regular cleaning helps to keep them in good condition, as does exercising some caution when it comes to food and drink that might spill. It’s not always possible to foresee every potential problem, however, and that’s why professional cleaning is sometimes needed.
One problem that’s often overlooked is how many animals are out there that can cause damage to carpeting. Some of these creatures are too small to see, so you might not even know they’re there. Others prefer to hide, or people just don’t realise how damaging they can be.
Here are some of the creatures that could be causing damage to your rugs and carpets, so you can find out how to control them.
You’ve probably heard of the clothes moth: little pests that like to lay eggs among clothing so their larvae can chew holes in your favourite shirt. As a result, lots of people use mothballs or other repellents in their wardrobes to drive moths away.
What you might not be so familiar with are all the moths that eat carpet fibres. Called carpet moths, these moths are similar to their clothing-munching cousins in that mostly the larvae cause the damage, eating natural fibres like wool and cotton.
In addition to the carpet moth, several other less common types will eat carpet fibres if they get the chance, including the clothes moth. Many people don’t know they have moths until the carpet has been damaged, often around the edges or in corners. Regular vacuuming and professional deep cleaning will usually be enough to get rid of eggs before they hatch.
Like carpet moths, the larvae of these small beetles like to eat a selection of natural fibres, particularly wool. Carpets give them the perfect combination of a hiding place and constant food source. Unlike some of the other creatures on the list, carpet moth larvae will even eat synthetic fibres if they taste good — for example, if food or anything else that smells good has been spilled.
If you have carpet beetles in your home, they’ll breed constantly, as the indoor warmth helps them thrive. They may also spread from carpets to other fabrics, like furniture and clothing. Keeping your carpets clean is a reliable way to get rid of carpet beetles.
These small, elongated insects are more visible than some other pests, but they like to hide away in the dark. They’re especially attracted to damp places, so they sometimes infest basements, kitchens and bathrooms, although they’ll wander from room to room in search of food.
Food for a silverfish is quite a staggering range of different substances, so they’ll not only damage your carpet fibres but also eat their way through glues and backing materials. This behaviour causes significant damage over time.
Make sure your carpets are kept thoroughly clean and dry, and they should avoid the attention of silverfish.
It’s not just the uninvited animals that can cause serious damage to carpets — sometimes, the worst offenders are the ones you bring in yourself.
Cats and dogs can cause some serious problems for your carpets, especially if they like to sit or lie on them for long periods. Even small amounts of pet urine can sink into the fibres and damage a carpet or rug, and cats and dogs will also tread dirt across the floor. When they go outside, they can pick up all manner of nasty substances.
On top of the damage your pets cause themselves, they also help attract other pests like silverfish and beetles. When you have your carpet cleaned, make sure particular attention is paid to areas where pets commonly walk or sit. In many cases, this can be the key to protecting your carpeting against all sorts of pest damage.
For a professional carpet cleaning, please contact us at Davali Chem-Dry.
