Mothball Uses
- Corpse Odors. It’s possible to discover a dead animal on your property, especially if you live near woods or in the countryside.
- Flea Killer. Adding some mothballs to the bag or canister of your vacuum cleaner will kill fleas, dust mites, and bedbugs on contact, if you suck some up while cleaning.
- Insect Repellent. Mothballs’ true claim to fame comes from their usage when storing clothes and other insect-prone items.
- Large Critter Deterrent. You can bury mothballs to help deter larger pests such as chipmunks and prarie dogs from helping themselves to your garden.
Do mothballs repel animals?
Mothballs, whether they are made from naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene, give off an odor that is noxious to animals. But they only repel animals if the gas concentration is high enough. Typically, gas concentrations can only get high when used in amazing quantities and within a closed space.
What are mothballs and why are they popular?
Mothballs’ true claim to fame comes from their usage when storing clothes and other insect-prone items. It’s common for some families to store wedding dresses in mothballs to pass down from generation to generation, for example.
What are mothballs made of?
Mothballs are chemical insecticides that are typically shaped into small balls. Currently, most mothballs are made of paradichlorobenzene, however, they can also be made of naphthalene or camphor. In order to dispel moths and moth larvae, the mothballs go from solid form into a toxic v
Do mothballs kill fleas and dust mites?
Adding some mothballs to the bag or canister of your vacuum cleaner will kill fleas, dust mites, and bedbugs on contact, if you suck some up while cleaning. Mothballs’ true claim to fame comes from their usage when storing clothes and other insect-prone items.
What insects do mothballs keep away?
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. Mothballs are not intended to be used outdoors.
Do mothballs repel cockroaches?
Roaches don't like the scent of mothballs, making them an effective pest repellent. Mothballs can only keep cockroaches away for a year or two since the pests adjust quickly and easily to new environments.
What does mothballs keep away from your house?
However, leaving mothballs out in the open as a way to repel rodents is a very bad idea. Mothballs are ineffective as a rodent repellent. Plus, using them can expose your family to toxic chemicals. The way that mothballs work is that they kill moths and their eggs by releasing deadly gases into the air.
Do spiders like mothballs?
There is an easy solution to repel spiders in areas of the home where you don't want them, and that solution is: moth balls! Moth balls not only kill moths, but they can ward off other pests, such as spiders.
Where do you put mothballs?
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.
Can you sleep in a room with mothballs?
' and the answer to this question is yes, potentially. According to the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC), the chemicals use in mothballs can be toxic to humans and pets and as people are exposed to these chemicals that are released as toxic fumes in the air space of the home.
How long do moth balls last?
Mothballs can last up to four to six weeks, and they can last even longer if you store your garments in a tightly sealed container. Regardless of how long the mothballs last before they dissolve, the smell will likely last longer.
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.
Why shouldn't you use mothballs?
Why You Shouldn’t Use Mothballs. You shouldn’t use mothballs to repel wildlife because not only is it illegal to use pesticides in a manner that violates the label (mentioned above), but mothballs can harm your health and those you love.
Can mothballs cause hemolysis?
If your exposure to mothballs (naphthalene version) is high enough, such as through inhalation or ingestion, you can suffer from acute intravascular haemolysis. Acute intravascular haemolysis is a fancy term for, your red blood cells break down.
Do mothballs repel animals?
But they only repel animals if the gas concentration is high enough.
Do mothballs violate the EPA?
But in doing that, you will have not only violated the law (i.e. mothballs are pesticides and using them in a manner that goes beyond the label instructions violates EPA regulations) but you will likely be creating conditions that drive you and your loved ones out of the house to get away from the noxious fumes.
How to protect clothing from moths?
Typically, the directions on the package will say to place the mothballs inside of an airtight container with the clothing you want to protect from moths. That’s right...airtight. To be most effective and prevent unwanted exposure, ensure that the container is airtight to prevent the escape of the toxic mothball vapor.
What are mothballs made of?
Mothballs are chemical insecticides that are typically shaped into small balls. Currently, most mothballs are made of paradichlorobenzene, however, they can also be made of naphthalene or camphor. In order to dispel moths and moth larvae, the mothballs go from solid form into a toxic vapor. This vapor is what kills off the pests and gives off ...
Do mothballs kill snakes?
Mothballs are also notoriously dangerous for the environment. They contaminate soil and water sources, causing them to become toxic. This can poison and kill any plants in the area. Imagine if you were using them around your garden. Despite common belief, mothballs do not really repel snakes or any other pests. There are lots of anecdotal tales of using mothballs to keep away mice successfully, but there’s just as many stories of nuisance animals completely disregarding the presence of mothballs and found literally sitting on top of them without care.
Is it illegal to use mothballs?
What this means for consumers is that any use of the mothballs that is not written on the packaging is actually illegal. Typically, the directions on the package will say to place the mothballs inside of an airtight container with the clothing you want to protect from moths. That’s right...airtight. To be most effective and prevent unwanted exposure, ensure that the container is airtight to prevent the escape of the toxic mothball vapor. Using them to attempt to repel non-moth pests is illegal, ineffective, and dangerous.
Can mothballs cause seizures?
Pets who ingest mothballs can experience vomiting, weakness, labored breathing, tremors, seizures, and lasting damage to the liver or kidneys which can be fatal. Long term exposure to mothball vapors is especially dangerous for small children and animals, but there are known cases of adults suffering from exposure as well.
Can mothballs be used to repel pests?
If you find yourself with a pest problem, please turn to local wildlife control experts before attempting any possibly dangerous methods like mothballs. Don't risk your family's safety by using mothballs to repel pests.
Is mothball poisonous?
Mothballs are far more dangerous than people realize. Long term exposure to the gas they put off can lead to health problems down the road. Far too commonly, people attempt to use mothballs to repel pests around the house or in their gardens.
Why do mothballs get undeserved credit?
Sometimes mothballs or moth crystals get undeserved credit because (1) they were applied at the time of year that the animal was getting ready to leave the nest site anyway; or (2) the animal is just checking-out the area and never intended to remain at all; or (3) the physical disturbance of applying the mothballs (not the odor itself) drives the animal away. Something has changed in its environment and it doesn’t like change.
What are mothballs regulated by?
The first thing to know is that mothballs or moth crystals are considered to be pesticides and are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency. They contain either naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene as the active ingredient.
What are moth balls?
By Chris Williams on December 1, 2011. Mothballs, moth crystals, or moth cakes are an age-old remedy for getting rid of everything from moths, to cockroaches, to squirrels in the attic. But do mothballs really work to repel animals from an area?
How to get rid of unwanted animals in your home?
The best way to get rid of unwanted nuisance animals in or around your home is to humanely trap them out of the space and then seal openings so that the animals cannot re-enter – something we do all the time at Colonial. Don’t subject your family to the odor and mess of repellents. Instead, contact Colonial Pest for a free quote, or call us at 1-800-525-8084 right now, for a permanent solution to your nuisance animal problem.
How to contact Colonial Pest?
Don’t subject your family to the odor and mess of repellents. Instead, contact Colonial Pest for a free quote, or call us at 1-800-525-8084 right now, for a permanent solution to your nuisance animal problem.
Is paradichlorobenzene toxic to humans?
You also need to consider the effects of high levels of naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene on the human inhabitants of your home. Naphthalene is considered to have low mammalian toxicity, but some people are very sensitive to it. Mothballs or crystals are highly toxic if ingested.
Does paradiclorobenzene repel animals?
Research has not shown that either naphthalene or paradiclorobenzene effectively repel animals from an area. If an animal has other nest sites, or has just moved into the area, mothballs may cause it to leave.
What are mothballs made of?
Today's mothballs are typically almost 100% active ingredient, either paradichlorobenzene or naphthalene.
What episode is a mothball mishap?
A Mothball Mishap? Episode 3 - A specialist debunks mothball myths and describes how improper use of mothballs can lead to unpleasant or even unhealthy results. Download and Listen, View Transcript - 1:32 min., 1.41MB
What does the label on mothballs mean?
The label of any pesticide product, including mothballs, tells you exactly where and how a product is supposed to be used. Using the product in any other way could put you and others at risk. Besides, they have little or no effect as repellents. Many years ago, mothballs may have been made out of different chemicals.
What happens if you smell mothballs?
If you can smell the mothball odor, you are breathing in the pesticide. Exposure to gas from mothballs can lead to headaches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, eye and nose irritation, and coughing. More serious effects, like liver and kidney damage, can be caused by longer-term exposures.
How to contact NPIC?
If you have questions about this, or any pesticide-related topic, please call NPIC at 1-800-858-7378 (8:00am - 12:00pm PST), or email us at [email protected].
Can mothballs be used in airtight containers?
When mothballs are used properly inside airtight containers, the exposure risk for people and pets is low. However, if mothballs are used out in the open, the gas is released into the environment where people can breathe the vapors. If you can smell the mothball odor, you are breathing in the pesticide. Exposure to gas from mothballs can lead ...
Can moth balls be used as repellent?
Many years ago, mothballs may have been made out of different chemicals. Older product labels may have said it was okay to use them as repellents. This might explain why so many people think that mothballs can be used in such a way. However, our understanding of pesticides and the possible risk (s) of using them has come a long way over the years.
What are mothballs in soil?
These mothball hazards may even harm the plants you are trying to protect. Mothballs are insecticides that are controlled by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Why do we use moth balls in our garden?
Using mothballs to repel pests in the garden presents a danger to children, pets and wildlife that visit your garden. Young children explore their surroundings by putting things in their mouths. Animals might think moth balls are food.
How to get rid of animal pests without mothballs?
There are a number of ways to eliminate animal pests from the garden without using mothballs. Hazards are minimal when you avoid using chemicals and poisons. Here are some tips on using safe control measures as alternatives to mothballs. Traps.
How to get rid of chipmunks?
Traps. The persistent use of traps is a good way to reduce rodent populations and the only effective way to get rid of chipmunks. Use traps that capture animals without harming them and then release them in countryside fields or forests. Fences.
What repels animals from a garden?
Some are more effective than others, so be prepared for some trial and error. Well-used clay cat litter sometimes chases off burrowing animals if you pour it directly into the burrow openings. Hot pepper is said to repel squirrels and rabbits.
Can moth balls be used as rodent repellent?
Mothballs In Gardens: Safe Alternatives To Mothballs For Pest Control. You’ve probably read tips on websites and in magazines that recommend using mothballs as rodent and pest repellents. Some people think they are “natural” animal repellents because they are ordinary household products.
Can mothballs cause harm?
Ingesting even a small amount of the toxic chemicals in mothballs can cause serious harm that requires immediate medical or veterinary attention. Mothballs in gardens also present a risk if you breathe the fumes or get the chemicals on your skin or in your eyes.
What happens if you swallow mothballs?
The fumes from mothballs can cause headache, dizziness and irritation to the eyes and lungs. If swallowed, naphthalene can cause a condition called hemolytic anemia. This is when red blood cells break apart and can no longer carry oxygen to all parts of the body.
What is the predator of blue bird boxes?
Snakes are a major predator of blue bird boxes,eating eggs and young….snakes have a great sence of smell and can easily detect eggs and young alike…they climb fences and the blue bird poles to enter the nest boxes…This year I am going to try using moth chrystals in a small pill container with a snap cover and fasten it to the bottom of the pole….I will drill a few holes in the botttom so the strong gases can escape…My belief is that the gas smell will mask the nest box and the snake will smell the fumes which it doesn’t like and move on…The small pill containers are 1 inch x 3 inches and fastened to the bottom of the pole…Poles are six feet tall…I will contact moth company first…
What are the dangers of mothballs?
They look identical, but some are made with the chemical naphthalene, while others are made with paradichlorobenzene. Both chemicals become a gas when exposed to air and cause the strong mothball smell.
How to keep snakes out of your house?
Remove log or trash piles close to your house. Keep the grass or other vegetation near your house closely mowed or trimmed. Tight-fitting screens and doors will keep snakes out of the house. Seal off all cracks and holes into your crawl space or basement. Check the roof for overhanging vegetation.
Why do snakes come inside?
Of course, a key reason snakes come inside is because they are hunting food – that is field mice/house mice around or in the house – so managing mice is key to managing snakes in the house, it seems.
What to do if you have a snake in your house?
Have your house checked for rodent problems. If you can eliminate the food source, the snakes will go elsewhere.
How many days a week are nurses available?
Nurses are available 7 days a week to help you know what to do. Kathy adds that in the warm months, when snakes are most active, the Blue Ridge Poison Center sees an increase in calls from people who have been exposed to mothballs, because they are being used as repellents.
