Thanks for sharing this. I had a similar experience recently in which I treated a wool carpet with cypermethrin (an insecticide widely used to kill clothes moths). This or a similar compound is likely to be what was used in your case as well. It is relatively safe in humans and many mammals in the concentrations present in pest control products. 

Its mechanism of action is to bind with and disrupt sodium ion channels in the central nervous system of insects. It causes excessive firing of neurons and death. 

My suggestion to reduce infestations of moths and eventual suffering is to pre-treat natural fibres which are not washed regularly (like carpets) with a cypermethrin (or other pyrethroid) containing product at around 0.1% concentration. These will act as repellents and prevent the reproduction of moths before they become established and prevent future suffering. It should only be used indoors to prevent exposure to non-pest species as it is broadly toxic to insects and many vertebrates. These products are widely available on Amazon. 

(PS these products might be more toxic to cats for some reason. Bear this in mind when using them)