How do you inhibit Moths eating Rugs?

[cleanking]

I was under the impression that "Repel" only lasts up to a year or so....? We very carefully word it when we offer it to customers... It doesn't stop the moths from eating it, it just makes it less tasty "sours the wool" making the moths move on to something more tasty...

I more so meant how long will unused powder last for.

 

[cleanking]

@Aaron Groseclose

 

[Nate The Great]

Good to know also...

 

[J Scott W]

I more so meant how long will unused powder last for.

The unused powder should be good for several years as long as it stays dry. In some climates or storage conditions that may be more difficult than you think. If the powder absorbs moisture from the air, it will slowly lose effectiveness.

 

[ruff]

Not sure I follow Scott.
If it loses effectiveness due to air exposure and moisture absorption, wouldn't it once applied to rugs lose the same effectiveness?

Also, is the product used on wool carpet? May help if applied under furniture where vacuuming never happens and is where the majority of damage happens.

Any adverse effect? For example I heard people complain (not about this specific product) that when vacuuming after a certain product (as particles get airborne) people felt a bitter aftertaste.

 

[J Scott W]

Not sure I follow Scott.
If it loses effectiveness due to air exposure and moisture absorption, wouldn't it once applied to rugs lose the same effectiveness?

Sorry for the confusion. I should have been more precise. When the container of product absorbs moisture form the air, it clumps and becomes more difficult to use and more difficult to apply evenly.

Over-application might produce some residual powder that could become air-borne. I have never heard of this being a health or safety issue.

To even out wear on rugs, many rug retailers and rug washers encourage people to rotate their rugs or otherwise change the traffic patterns on a regular basis. Applying a product to repel moths only to areas under furniture, would leave portions of the rug unprotected that might later be under furniture.

 

[ruff]

Thanks Scott.

I was also talking about applying the product to Carpet, not rugs, which naturally cannot be rotated.
I was wondering if an application there will actually help as the majority of damage to wool Carpet that I see, is in undisturbed and dark areas.

 

[Desk Jockey]

If that story is true and the vacuuming is breaking off particles which are thrown into the air stream, try doing so with HEPA filtration.

Its sounds as if the particles are broken off, vacuumed up but not trapped in the collector. Instead these micro-particles are being redistributed throughout the air space due to their size.

If this is the case then HEPA should help. You could also wear an N-95 particulate mask while vacuuming, if you felt it was necessary.

 

[J Scott W]

Thanks Scott.

I was also talking about applying the product to Carpet, not rugs, which naturally cannot be rotated.
I was wondering if an application there will actually help as the majority of damage to wool Carpet that I see, is in undisturbed and dark areas.

Ofer, my experience with these products is on rugs. Your ideas make sense to me. But, I do not want to go beyond my own experience especailly when talking about someone else's product.

 

[ruff]

What do you mean "if", Grasshopper? Sheesh! Do I have to report you to Willy again?

It was a client that mentioned it (not the Repel product) and I've learned to trust clients even if it is not what I experienced myself. Most people tell it as it is and some are more sensitive and aware than others. It was their vacuum, their vacuuming, I have no control over what filtration they use.

I am sure Hepa will help, but it does not trap everything and stuff gets airborne. Weather it was related to a specific product or had nothing to do with it I am not sure. That is why I am concerned with a product that is known to be "bitter" being airborne by vacuuming.

Thanks Scott.

 

[Cleanworks]

One of those situations where the customer has a choice. Moth larva eating their carpets, or using a hepa filtered vacuum and maybe putting up with some allergens. Or they could just get rid of the rugs. Just got to splain it right.

 

[The Great Oz]

I was also talking about applying the product to Carpet, not rugs, which naturally cannot be rotated.
I was wondering if an application there will actually help as the majority of damage to wool Carpet that I see, is in undisturbed and dark areas.

Almost all broadloom carpet is made with permanently mothproofed wool. The exceptions are those oddball manufacturers that make wool/jute/hemp salad carpet. Those customers would benefit from an anti-moth treatment.

 

[ruff]

Not sure what's happening but I've seen some looped (tufted) wool carpet that had severe moth damage.
No hemp, yes jute backing. I wonder if it wears off, or if there's enough of an infestation, they will still cause damage.

 

[Desk Jockey]

What do you mean "if", Grasshopper? Sheesh! Do I have to report you to Willy again?

It was a client that mentioned it (not the Repel product) and I've learned to trust clients even if it is not what I experienced myself. Most people tell it as it is and some are more sensitive and aware than others. It was their vacuum, their vacuuming, I have no control over what filtration they use.

I am sure Hepa will help, but it does not trap everything and stuff gets airborne. Weather it was related to a specific product or had nothing to do with it I am not sure. That is why I am concerned with a product that is known to be "bitter" being airborne by vacuuming.

Thanks Scott.

"If" is because its not first hand knowledge.

Ya know someone tells someone and then they tell another and before ya know it, some dumbass posts it on an internet bulletin board. Uhhh not you...someone else. Yea..thats ot someone else.

Seriously if the vacuum the are using is bypassing that much particulate its time for a much need upgrade. They aren't cleaning as well as they think they are. Infact they are merely redistributing contaminants throughout the airspace only to settle on horizontal surfaces. And that's the good news!

The bad is they are sucking it all down in their respiratory system.

 

[The Great Oz]

Not sure what's happening but I've seen some looped (tufted) wool carpet that had severe moth damage.
No hemp, yes jute backing. I wonder if it wears off, or if there's enough of an infestation, they will still cause damage.

When they treat the wool at the time of manufacture, the wool is permanently altered. No treatment to wear off. You're likely seeing the oddballs - often sold at places with names like "My Green Home" or somesuch. Treated wool isn't natural enough for those people, so they have to live with the natural damage.

Tell them what Ron said.

 

[ruff]

Any idea what the manufacturers use to moth proof their carpeting? And what makes it permanent, as the "bitter" being used for rugs from their advertisement will all (or most) be removed in the washing process?

 

[The Great Oz]

Let me google that for you: http://admin.woolsnz.com/uploadGallery/documents/insectresist .pdf

 

[ruff]

Thank you Bryan.
Now, could you please translate it

It actually raises more questions:

1. Unless I missed it, it does not specify if rinsing removes (or diminish) the moth repellency.
2. One of the products used Permethrin, is a known cat toxin with possible commutative effect- http://www.catvets.com/cat-owners/caring-for-cats/permethrin-poisoning-and-cats.

 

[J Scott W]

Thank you Bryan.
Now, could you please translate it

It actually raises more questions:

1. Unless I missed it, it does not specify if rinsing removes (or diminish) the moth repellency.
2. One of the products used Permethrin, is a known cat toxin with possible commutative effect- http://www.catvets.com/cat-owners/caring-for-cats/permethrin-poisoning-and-cats.

No harm to the cats once the product has dried. Your cats will not be harmed by walking on or even licking wool area rugs.

 

[sweendogg]

We have found that English Axeminster atleast for a while was not not moth proofing yarn so this is a another carpet that could use benefits of repel. We regularly will Fog our Showroom to try and eliminate the pests. We also have had great success with SLA spray for problem areas and a little squirt every so often in our storage tubes helps as well!

 

[Cleanworks]

Ok, Rug Guru's, I have a real world situation. One of my customers has a moth infestation in their home. They have 2-20x24 wool/silk rugs that are showing moth damage as well as several smaller (9x12) wool rugs. They would like me to treat the rugs in their home. I have available a solution of .5 percent pyrethin in a fine oil which I use at the shop. It is designed as a space spray and direct contact spray in large areas such as warehouses. I can also order Masterblend Repel. I am sending all the information to the customer to see what she is comfortable with in her home. It is possible to evacuate everyone for a day or so. What would you do?

 

[The Great Oz]

Ever notice that old Karastan label that says, "permanently mothproof"? Ever notice a Karastan with that label that has moth damage?

Ron,
Repel is water-borne, so probably no need to evacuate the area. To be most effective the rugs have to be saturated top and bottom, so the money saved by not moving the rugs to your shop would be eaten up (sorry) by the cost of return trips to flip them.

 

[Cleanworks]

Thanks oh wise and wonderful Oz. The smaller rugs I can remove to my shop. The 2 20x24's they want treated in home. The visible damage is under the sofa's and along the edges of the rugs. I was thinking of flipping the rugs over as far as I could and treating the backside and then treating the face. There is a piano involved as well as a heavy marble table that would take 4 guys to move. I think if we can get the majority treated it will at least minimize the damage.