Harmful action of insects
Handmade carpets and kilims are made by hand, using wool and/or silk yarns. As they are natural fibers, they can attract, if the conditions of the environment allow it, insects and other parasites, since these threads are a natural food for all of them.
In conditions of humidity, heat and darkness, insects deposit their eggs in these fabrics, which eventually turn into larvae and begin to feed on the fabrics of the carpets where they are found.
Insects such as the «Tinea pellionella» or more commonly known as moth, destroy and eat away the wool, causing losses in the fabrics of our carpets and kilims, making them lose their value and even become unusable if we do not act quickly.
What preventive measures should be taken?
- As a first preventive measure to avoid the action of insects it will be necessary to make a regular cleaning of our handmade carpets and kilims, action that prevents the deposition of eggs and removes any remaining insects. At Centauro we carry out a professional washing of all types of carpets.
- Secondly, have the carpets exposed and do not pick them up during warmer seasons, since wool is a good natural insulator and contrary to popular belief, carpets are not hot in summer, it is just a sensation and our perception.
- If you still prefer to store them during the summer season, or if you are away from home for the season and want to collect them, they should be stored in well ventilated places, in the absence of humidity and darkness to avoid the action of insects. If the carpets are going to be stored for a long time, it is advisable to open them from time to time, allowing them to be aired and to receive natural light.
Measures to eliminate the action of existing moths
Taking into account the previous preventive measures, we will avoid the appearance of moths and their harmful action in the carpets. But if we already have this problem and moths and other insects are present in our carpets, we must act quickly.
Contact our Centauro customer services and ask for a mothproofing treatment.
ACTION ANTI-MOOTHES
Steps to request anti-moth treatment
- Request the opinion of our mothproofing experts by calling Centauro’s contact telephone numbers.
- You will be asked for the data of the affected carpet, measurements, photos, etc.
One of our technicians will examine the photos of the affected carpet or carpets and will make a prognosis of the degree of affection suffered by the carpet. - According to this prognosis, we will give you an estimate for treatment only, or restoration plus mothproofing treatment, if the insects have devoured part of the carpet fabric.
- Once the estimate is accepted by the client, we set a date for the collection of the carpet by our means, which is transferred to our facilities.
- Once the carpet is received, it will be thoroughly examined and if we see the need for an intervention to restore part of it, we will contact the client.
- The carpets are washed with water and special cleaning products, dried and prepared to receive mothproofing treatment.
Anti-moth treatment
- First, carpets affected by the presence of moths and other parasites are thoroughly washed to eliminate any physical remains of the insects.
- Once dry, the carpets are placed in airtight chambers where they are gassed with specific products to eliminate any existing larvae.
- This process will be repeated in several phases, which can last up to three days, to ensure the complete elimination of all parasites and their remains.
- Once this process is completed, the carpets are aerated, checked and if everything is correct, they are placed in micro-perforated plastic bags and prepared for shipment to the customer’s home.
- We contact the customer and set the date and time of delivery.