If you’ve spotted moths or mysterious bald patches in your wool rugs or carpets, it’s a sign you need to act quickly. Moths can do serious damage fast—especially in quiet corners or under furniture where there’s little disturbance. And it can be costly, as one of Biome's Instagram followers commented "...cost me over $15,000 to replace the carpet!!!"
Here’s what I would do to stop the damage, treat the affected area, and most importantly, prevent it from happening further!
🐛 Step 1: Identify the culprit
Wool-eating clothes moth larvae are likely to blame. Adult moths don’t eat—they lay eggs, and it’s the tiny larvae that do the chewing.
Look for:
- Small, beige-coloured moths fluttering close to the floor
- Silky webbing or white larvae on the carpet
- Irregular, worn or threadbare patches—especially in undisturbed, shaded areas
🧹 Step 2: Vacuum thoroughly
- Vacuum the entire room, focusing on edges, under furniture, and any low-traffic areas.
- Use the crevice tool to get into baseboards and skirting boards.
- Vacuum both the top and underside of rugs if possible.
- Immediately empty the vacuum into an outdoor bin to prevent re-infestation.
🌡️ Step 3: Treat the affected areas
- If you can lift the rug, place it in direct sunlight for several hours—heat and light help kill larvae.
- For smaller rugs, you can use the freezer method: Seal in a bag and freeze for 72 hours.
- Sprinkle the area with diatomaceous earth—a natural, non-toxic powder that damages larvae. Leave for 24–48 hours, then vacuum.
- You can also apply a natural huon pine carpet freshener. It delivers a deep deodorising clean while leaving behind moth-repelling oils.
🛡️ Step 4: Prevent future infestations
- Keep things moving: Moths prefer dark, undisturbed areas. Regular vacuuming is your best defence.
- Rotate furniture or rugs occasionally to expose hidden patches.
- Avoid storing clutter under furniture where woollen rugs are laid.
- Use natural moth repellents around the area (see list below).
- Refresh carpets and rugs every month or two with huon pine freshener to leave behind protective scent compounds.
- Set up sticky moth traps to monitor new activity.
🌿 Top natural moth repellents for carpet protection
You don’t need toxic sprays or chemical mothballs. These natural solutions help deter moths safely and sustainably. Find all the essentials oil mentioned here.
Cedarwood
Cedar blocks, rings, or shavings contain natural oils that moths hate. Tuck them near baseboards or under furniture.
Huon pine
Sustainably harvested from Tasmania, huon pine is incredibly effective. Place shavings or blocks near affected areas. Read more below about how huon pine helps.
Lavender
Sachets of dried lavender or a few drops of lavender essential oil help deter moths and add a lovely scent.
Eucalyptus
Use dried eucalyptus leaves or spray a mix of water and eucalyptus oil near the edges of carpets and under furniture.
Peppermint
A great all-rounder. Place cotton balls with peppermint oil in discreet corners near rugs or baseboards.
Clove and Rosemary
Spicy and strong, both work well as part of a herb sachet mix. You can combine them with bay leaves or thyme too. Cut fresh herbs from your garden and dry first, or use essential oils for maximum strength.
Linii huon pine carpet freshener – why it's useful and how to use it to help prevent moths in wool carpets
The Linii Huon Pine Carpet Freshener is a fantastic option for moth-prone carpets and rugs, particularly woollen carpets. It’s made from finely milled huon pine shavings—an Australian timber known for its natural insect-repelling oils.
Why it’s useful
- Contains methyl eugenol, a naturally occurring compound that repels moths, silverfish and other pests
- The fine shavings penetrate carpet fibres, helping to reach hidden larvae
- Helps neutralise musty odours, a common sign of low ventilation or undisturbed areas
- Completely natural, non-toxic and safe for use around pets and people
How to use Linii huon pine for moth-prone carpets
- After vacuuming, open the inner packaging and shake an even layer over the affected or musty area.
- Allow to sit for 2 to 8 hours so the huon pine can work its way in.
- Sweep off the excess with a dustpan and brush, then vacuum the rest.
- Reseal the tube to keep the product fresh.
- Repeat monthly or as needed to maintain protection.
Biome stocks a full range of natural moth repellents and safe cleaning tools to help protect your home without harsh chemicals. If you need help choosing the right combination for your space, just ask—we’re here to help.
👉 shop natural moth protection at Biome
👉 shop essential oils at Biome
↠ Got a problem? So did we. Our ‘Help!’ Series shares the real fixes we’ve discovered over 23 years of solving everyday life and eco dilemmas for the Biome community—with honesty, personal experience and care. Find all our Help series here
