How to use mothballs around the House?
If you’re only using mothballs when storing clothing, you’re missing out! Try these genius ways you can use mothballs around the house, in your garden and in your garage. To exterminate bugs on a potted plant, put the plant in a clear plastic bag, such as a cleaning bag, add a few mothballs, and seal for a week.
Is it illegal to put mothballs in your attic?
They include squirrels, skunks, deer, mice, rats, dogs, cats, raccoons, moles, snakes, pigeons and a variety of other animals. Any such use is illegal. "A relatively common mistake is placing mothballs in an attic to repel squirrels.
Are mothballs safe to buy?
Some mothballs for sale may be illegal, which means they were imported without oversight of the product contents or labeling. Because they have not been evaluated, the risks they pose are unknown.
How long do mothballs stay in your home?
As the mothballs sublimate and turn into a gas this process is expected to last for over four to six weeks, however, the smell can linger in the air of the home for years in some extreme cases.
How long do mothballs last under a house?
If you place the mothball underneath clothing or otherwise not in open air, it will take up to 12 months to completely dissipate. The mothball smell stays in your home for months or years after dissipating. Often, the smell of mothballs never truly ever go away.
Can you put mothballs in your crawl space?
Mothballs should not be used inside attics, crawl spaces, gardens, trash cans or vehicles. ... "A relatively common mistake is placing mothballs in an attic to repel squirrels. This will almost always result in a persistent and noxious odor throughout the home."07-Oct-2008
Where is the best place to put moth balls?
Mothballs must be used in an airtight space, such as a garment bag or well- sealed container. Never place mothballs in an open closet or plastic garbage bag. Once vapors enter the home, their odor can persist for a long time.
What do mothballs keep away?
HOW ARE MOTHBALLS INTENDED TO BE USED? The fumes from mothballs kill clothes moths, their eggs and larvae that eat natural fibers in indoor storage areas, such as closets, attics and basements.
Can you put mothballs under your bed?
Mothballs must only be used in enclosed, airtight containers. Choose plastic containers and garment bags you can close up and store in the closet or under the bed. Lay the clothes inside the container.
How toxic are moth balls?
Moth balls contain a toxic chemical, either naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene. Both become a gas when exposed to air and cause that pungent moth ball smell. These gases are irritating to the eyes and lungs and may cause headache, dizziness and nausea. They are both suspected of causing cancer.
What happens to mothballs left in the open?
Mothballs in the U.S. contain high concentrations of either naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene. Both active ingredients are solid chemicals that slowly become fumes at room temperature. ... Mothballs slowly disappear as they turn into gas and mix with the surrounding air.15-Dec-2015
Do mothballs keep mice away?
Do mothballs keep mice away? Mothballs repelling mice and rats is a common misconception. Mothballs contain a small amount of naphthalene and can be a deterrent in large quantities, however, they aren't powerful enough to get rid of mice and rodents.
What happens when mothballs get wet?
Wet mothballs are even more potent than dry ones. And the wetness can be profound, like exposure to water from a flood or leaky pipe, or mild, in the form of high humidity. Either will cause the odor to be more potent and sublimation to be more rapid.29-Oct-2014
Will mothballs keep rats away from your house?
Put simply; mothballs are almost completely ineffective when it comes to repelling rats. Mothballs contain a chemical called naphthalene, which keeps red blood cells from carrying oxygen when inhaled, so one could naturally assume that it would be an effective measure against rats.
Are mothballs toxic to dogs?
Poisoning most commonly occurs when dogs ingest mothballs. ... Ingestion of naphthalene mothballs can cause gastrointestinal upset and less frequently, anemia, neurologic signs, and kidney or liver damage. Modern PDB mothballs are less toxic but can still cause illness, especially when ingested.
Can you still buy mothballs?
They can be found in many supermarkets and convenience stores (including CVS Pharmacy and dollar stores) and are generally sold in the aisle where you can find laundry supplies. The smell of mothballs is unmistakable and hard to miss.10-Jul-2018