Holes and eaten-away spots left where moth larvae, or other pests such as mice, have fed on a rug's natural fibers. It is a leading risk during storage and can affect used and new rugs alike, so inspection covers both the face and the back for spots that look as if something has been eating the rug away. Moisture, dirt and dark places, such as the parts of a rug covered by heavy furniture, attract the pests; cleanliness, good ventilation and dry air are the main prevention, along with vacuuming beneath furniture once or twice a month and checking there for moth, and moving the furniture to air the rug every few months.