Mothball labels direct you to use the product only inside tightly sealed containers where the fumes are contained. Mothballs should never be used in open containers or in a way that will allow the pesticide fumes to accumulate in living spaces where people and pets can breath them. If you use mothballs to repel clothes moths from woolens, use them carefully. They must be kept away from children and pets. When mothballs are used inside airtight containers, as the label requires, the vapors released by the mothballs build up and kill, or at least repel, clothes moths.
Many experts say that mothballs are really not very effective against clothes moths anyway. To work effectively, they have to be used in sufficient amounts and used in an airtight container; most people fail on both counts. Another common mistake is using mothballs in gardens or other outdoor locations to control insects, snakes or other wildlife.
Using mothballs outside can harm children, pets and other animals. Mothballs used outdoors can also contaminate soil, plants and water. The information below contains additional resources for the proper use of mothballs and some alternative methods of controlling clothes moths.
If you have questions about this, or any pesticide-related topic, please call NPIC at am - pm PST , or email at npic ace. Return to Mothball Main Page. This may no longer hold true because the way mothballs are made is different from before. This is why they are safe to use indoors, provided they are in an airtight container. Mothballs are typically used to protect items that are put away for a long time, such as those in your storage area or garage. When used for other purposes, it can be risky for the health of humans, animals and the environment.
Mothballs are intended for fabric pests that eat away fibers of your clothing or carpets. Examples of these are the carpet beetle and clothes moth. Other pests included in this category are crickets, silverfish, cockroaches and termites. There have been claims that mothballs can keep away garden pests, like snakes, as well as mice and squirrels.
Using mothballs outdoors is a big no-no as it can harm innocent wildlife that may be stopping by your property, or even your own pets. To put it simply, no — it is not safe to put mothballs in your yard.
People have done this thinking that they can effectively repel pests. This could be because many popular websites have provided instructions on how to use mothballs as a pest repellent.
Mothballs have been used — as previously mentioned — to deter snakes in the garden, get rid of mice in the garage , or even squirrels in the attic. They are also claimed to be effective against bats when originally, it was used only for moths. Mothballs are a lot more dangerous than people think. Long-term exposure to the fumes can accumulate in your system and bring health problems later on.
Mothballs are highly toxic to humans, especially when ingested. This situation could happen to children, who would easily think that the pesticide is a candy. After all, mothballs do look like balls of candy, which can be tempting to an innocent kid. The serious damage caused by naphthalene ingestion is when red blood cells are destroyed.
As a result, they can no longer transport oxygen to the rest of your body. According to this published review titled, Naphthalene Mothballs: Emerging and Recurring Issues and their Relevance to Environmental Health , majority of exposure to naphthalene happens through inhalation. So yes, mothballs are toxic when breathed in. Accidental inhalation can also happen when naphthalene balls are used the wrong way, such as putting it in vents to repel pests. There are cases, although rare, wherein children experience symptoms related to naphthalene exposure after wearing clothing that has been stored with mothballs.
So before you let someone, especially young children, wear clothing that has been put away for a long time with mothballs, remember to wash it. When used inside an airtight container, mothballs can last for up to two months; some can last for a year.
The rate at which mothballs dissolve will still depend on the environmental conditions and the temperature of the area where it is placed.
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