Clean It Up

UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: MTMARYT on June 16, 2009, 08:47:04 am

Title: Carpet Moths
Post by: MTMARYT on June 16, 2009, 08:47:04 am
Hi can anyone advise on the best way to get rid of carpet moths permanently?

Is a mini smoke generator efective enough?


Thanks

Mary
Title: Re: Carpet Moths
Post by: Amethyst on June 16, 2009, 02:28:35 pm
I would have said not. These little blighters like dark, undisturbed places to live. In my experience that means under the carpet, under the skirting board and the like. The only 100% way to ensure they don't persist is to lift the carpet and underlay and burn or dispose of it and replace with synthetic carpet. Drastic! In practical terms you will need to roll the carpet back where-ever you suspect they have been muching, vac up any of the little critters you may find and then spray thoroughly getting right into the gaps between the skirting board and the floor. Check under the carpet and under the underlay as well. I have been to jobs where Rentokil had treated the affected rooms twice and still didn't cure the problem. The reason being they simply sprayed everything but didn't reach the hidden areas the moths like.

Title: Re: Carpet Moths
Post by: Karl Wildey on June 16, 2009, 03:56:40 pm
strapo used to do a anti moth spray, but then this was back in the 80's, so not sure if its still available.
Title: Re: Carpet Moths
Post by: Gerry Styles on June 16, 2009, 05:35:56 pm
Stapro insecticide is available from Bio Productions 01444 244000
Title: Re: Carpet Moths
Post by: Steve Chapman on June 16, 2009, 05:47:56 pm
ultra fresh from chemspec

steve
Title: Re: Carpet Moths
Post by: The Great One on June 16, 2009, 06:27:39 pm
Hi

Sadly I feel Ian's solution is the only cure, these things seem to be everywhere these days, they usually come out at around 9pm and like ian said they like dark places where humans are not. Under beds, wardrobes, skirtings etc.

Regards

Martin 8)
Title: Re: Carpet Moths
Post by: Neil Williams on June 16, 2009, 09:32:48 pm
Twice I've had jobs that involved this pest, and on both occassions I followed the instructions to the letter (from 2 different major suppliers) and on both occassions the problem didn't go away.
Wool carpets, dark areas and old furniture produces the best results ;D
Title: Re: Carpet Moths
Post by: MTMARYT on June 16, 2009, 09:47:15 pm
Thanks everyone for the advice

Mary
Title: Re: Carpet Moths
Post by: master-clean on June 16, 2009, 10:22:37 pm
You just need to vac them up regular, they only live where they are not disturbed like under furniture, move the furniture and vac regular, thats all thats needed.
Title: Re: Carpet Moths
Post by: Jim_77 on June 16, 2009, 10:32:20 pm
I offer two services.

Full treatment involves treating with two products at the same time.  First an insecticide to kill adults & larvae, but this won't affect eggs or pupae.  Then it is followed up with a growth inhibitor which remains active for a few months in the carpet.  This is to break the life cycle, so that any remaining eggs or emerging adults can't go on the the next stage.  You need to get to every inch of carpet for this, so involves shifting all the big heavy furniture you'd normally leave in place when doing a normal clean.

"Containment" is just a standard clean with M-Power, but being much more thorough in the out-of-sight places that you normally wouldn't spend too long on.  I price it up a little more than a standard cleaning job to allow for the extra time and effort.

Most customers go for the containment, which suits me :)
Title: Re: Carpet Moths
Post by: master-clean on June 16, 2009, 10:38:16 pm
Dont use INSECTICIDE in peoples homes!

The damage is done by the larvael stage, always in dark un-disturbed areas. At this stage hot water extraction is sufficient to kill/remove the offending blighters - insecticides are not required.

Once the damage is done it is irreparable but prevention is a matter of thorough vacuum cleaning to remove eggs before they can hatch.. most commonly once the damage is noticed, all that remains of the insect is a large number of 'empty rice grains'. The adult moth often returns to the same site to lay its' eggs, so watch out for the next generation.
Title: Re: Carpet Moths
Post by: Jim_77 on June 16, 2009, 10:47:01 pm
::)
Title: Re: Carpet Moths
Post by: AJB on June 17, 2009, 12:32:45 am
I was always taught that the adults return to the same place to reproduce.
Last year i likened this to salmon returning to spawn where they were born.
I got seriously flamed for saying this, but i still believe it to be true.
Thorough vacuuming throughout the months of May and June is all that is necessary to
break the cycle. if you stop the larvae reaching adulthood, the problem is solved.
Title: Re: Carpet Moths
Post by: master-clean on June 17, 2009, 07:50:23 am
AJB I'm pleased to find someone in ageement. :)

I would like to add I'm uncomfortable with ametures (c/cers) using insecticides in peoples homes.

Did you know they are highly toxic nasty chemicals that CAN kill humans and pets.

I would not even let a professionaol pest controler use them in my home.
Title: Re: Carpet Moths
Post by: Amethyst on June 17, 2009, 12:22:14 pm
Been to a job this morning which I believe confirms my thoughts. Evidence of infestation on the edge of the carpet (invisible and unreachable from the top) and under the carpet and under the underlay. So just vaccing and or spraying from above not good enough. Needed to roll carpet back and treat accordingly.

Title: Re: Carpet Moths
Post by: Karl Wildey on June 17, 2009, 04:50:22 pm
strapo insecticide does not kill moths, you need a moth killer.

Title: Re: Carpet Moths
Post by: Jim_77 on June 18, 2009, 04:12:57 pm
Wouldn't be much of an insecticide if it wasn't toxic would it ::) ::)

I think it's quite right what you say.  Idiots like you shouldn't be given insecticide in case they hurt someone :)

However, those with training in correct use of substances are perfectly capable of getting an effective job done, SAFELY.

 :-*
Title: Re: Carpet Moths
Post by: Amethyst on June 18, 2009, 04:23:28 pm
Nice one Jim!  ;)
Title: Re: Carpet Moths
Post by: Gerry Styles on June 18, 2009, 04:49:21 pm
strapo insecticide does not kill moths, you need a moth killer.



I have a packet in front of me and it does. I have used it and it works well
Title: Re: Carpet Moths
Post by: Karl Wildey on June 18, 2009, 06:38:07 pm
You are right, it does kill moths. Must have change format in last 20 years, maybe that why they don't do a moth killer now,

Jim, don't call me an idiot, it hurts my feelings.
Title: Re: Carpet Moths
Post by: murky on June 19, 2009, 08:04:28 am
I have used the Stapro one for years It has pyrethrin in it, and have never had a call back, well 1, he was a farmer and a pillok.

Treated carpet again after some moths came back he asked what was in it and I told him, he said 'I've got a shed load of that' so as he was a pillok I told him in future to do it your self then.

Murky
Title: Re: Carpet Moths
Post by: master-clean on June 19, 2009, 08:47:16 am
Wouldn't be much of an insecticide if it wasn't toxic would it ::) ::)

I think it's quite right what you say.  Idiots like you shouldn't be given insecticide in case they hurt someone :)

However, those with training in correct use of substances are perfectly capable of getting an effective job done, SAFELY.

 :-*

Or your just ignorant of the chemicals your using, idiot :-* :-*
Title: Re: Carpet Moths
Post by: Jim_77 on June 19, 2009, 03:17:02 pm
Karl, it wasn't aimed at you mate :)

Master-clean (I think I know who you are anyway :-* ) you carry on, there's a good chap :)
Title: Re: Carpet Moths
Post by: Darren O on June 19, 2009, 03:38:00 pm
Who is it Mossy
Title: Re: Carpet Moths
Post by: Karl Wildey on June 19, 2009, 10:12:36 pm
Sorry Jim, thought you was having a pop.

Now I am confused. Insecticide can kill people, surely thats homocide then, and then if the instructions are on the packet and restormate, craftex ect sell it to us, does not make them at fault for selling dangerous chemicals to humans?

And the idea with the strapo insecticide is you spray it down and leave for 2 weeks and do not vaccum, this stops the life cycle of all you kill.

Whats in insecticide that makes it dangerous to humans?
Title: Re: Carpet Moths
Post by: Jim_77 on June 20, 2009, 01:33:34 am
No worries :)

If you took a big gulp of ultrapac renovate it wouldn't do you any good.  But of course you wouldn't.  Neither would you blatantly disregard the safe operating procedures for an insecticide.

Anyway, it doesn't matter.  Someone who likes stamping on wasps' nests is having a bit of a go, I think.  Leave him to it ;)
Title: Re: Carpet Moths
Post by: master-clean on June 20, 2009, 08:04:43 am
Jim dont take it as a personnal attack, its not, you give good advice most of the time :)

My points nothing to do with any personalities, but pointing out how toxic insectide is and personnally I would not use it.
Title: Re: Carpet Moths
Post by: Karl Wildey on June 23, 2009, 10:20:43 pm
still don't see whats wrong with it, unless you are an insect. used with care its a great product