Audubon House Provides Good Moth Habitat

Designers of the high-profile Audubon Headquarters in New York City, together with National Audubon Society scientists, took great pains to minimize the use of toxic and environmentally damaging building materials. Among the choices they made in renovating the 100-year-old building was to use undyed, 100% wool carpet throughout the space occupied by the Society. Within three years of the renovation, however, moths had infested the carpeting. While the source of the infestation remains unclear, Audubon has concentrated on coming up with the least toxic treatment for the problem.

Incomplete information and differing explanations make it difficult to determine why the infestation occurred. Even experienced wool-carpet installers claim they’ve never encountered this type of problem. Some parties blame inadequate pesticide treatment; others suggest that over-aggressive cleaning removed the initial treatment. As is often the case, an unfortunate combination of factors may ultimately be responsible.