Carpet beetles and clothes moths attack fibre of animal origin, avoiding the synthetic fabrics.
Even synthetics may be attacked if they are soiled by food or animal excrement. The blending of animal fibres and synthetic fibres is now commonplace and make such textiles susceptible to carpet beetle and moth damage.
Both carpet beetles and moths prefer secluded areas such as behind curtains and furniture where they are seldom disturbed. In each instance, it is the larva that will cause damage to carpet and other fabrics.
Prevention
Some carpets are treated during manufacture and should give protection against infestation until the chemicals are removed, either by cleaning or have lost their effect due to normal chemical breakdown.
Prevention and correction of carpet pest infestations require special skills and extensive knowledge of the problem and careful workmanship. Protection of carpets and fabrics with high animal fibre content is an ongoing challenge which is now not always possible with the range of safer, less persistent formulations in use in the marketplace today.
Learn more about specific species: