Where should you not put mothballs in?

Mothballs should not be placed in closets, attics, basements, storage chests or trunks, garment bags or other spaces other than in tightly closed containers as explained above. Gasses from the mothballs escape into the air and can cause respiratory problems.

Where should mothballs be placed?

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 put moth balls in your house?

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.

Why you shouldn't use moth balls?

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. The active ingredients can contaminate water and soil, harm wildlife, and contribute to air pollution.

Is smelling mothballs harmful?

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.

Simple Garden Hack....Mothballs

Are mothballs safe to breathe?

The chemicals in mothballs are toxic to humans and pets. People are exposed to the chemicals in mothballs by inhaling the fumes. If you smell mothballs, you are being exposed to these chemicals. Children or pets sometimes mistake mothballs for food or candy and eat them, which can cause serious effects.

How do you use mothballs safely?

Many people forget that mothballs are made of dangerous pesticides and don't take safety precautions when using them. Never use these products out in the open. Instead, place your clothing with the mothballs in a sealed container. Prevent moths by wearing, washing, and drying your clothing regularly.

What are the side effects of mothballs?

The chemicals in mothballs can cause reversible health effects that include headaches, nausea, eye and nose irritation, and coughing. Exposure to naphthalene can cause more serious effects, including hemolytic anemia. Naphthalene is also a possible carcinogen.

What does moth balls keep away?

"Often, mothballs are used in these locations to control pests other than clothes moths," Stone said. They include squirrels, skunks, deer, mice, rats, dogs, cats, raccoons, moles, snakes, pigeons and a variety of other animals.

What to use instead of mothballs?

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.

How long are mothballs toxic?

One mothball in open air takes 3-6 months to dissipate entirely. If you place the mothball underneath clothing or otherwise not in open air, it will take up to 12 months to completely dissipate.

Will mothball smell go away?

Mothball odor is a terrible smell to have clinging to your clothing. And we have some shocking news for you: a single mothball takes about 3-6 months to dissipate completely. If you put the mothball under fabric or someplace where there is no air circulation, it takes about 12 months to dissipate!

What happens to mothballs left in the open?

Mothballs slowly disappear as they turn into gas and mix with the surrounding air. The time it takes a mothball to vaporize depends on many factors, including how many mothballs are present, the amount of air-flow around the mothballs, and the temperature.

What do moth balls do?

Mothballs are pesticides intended to kill clothes moths and other fabric pests. They are regulated in the United States by the Environmental Protection Agency. The label of any pesticide, including mothballs, specifies exactly where and how you can legally use the product.

Do snakes hate mothballs?

Use of Snake Repellents

Mothballs are commonly thought to repel snakes, but they are not intended to be used this way and have little effect on snakes.

What keeps mice out of your house?

What happens when you put mothballs in water?

At hazardous waste sites and landfills, naphthalene can dissolve in water, attach to soil, and leach into underground drinking water. Some naphthalene dissolves in rivers, lakes, or wells and evaporates within two weeks. Bacteria destroy naphthalene in water.

Are mothballs cancerous?

Chemicals in mothballs and air fresheners may increase the risk of cancer, scientists have discovered. Naphthalene and para-dichlorobenzene are recognised pollutants that can cause cancer in rodents. Experts believe they are also likely to be harmful to humans.

How do you get the air smell out of mothballs?

What kills the smell of mothballs?

To remove these odors, leave out bowls of vinegar or plates of activated charcoal in the affected areas. (Activated charcoal is sold in various pellet sizes and is usually available at pet stores.) You can also try placing containers of coffee grounds or odor-absorbing candles for similar results.

Why does my house suddenly smell like mothballs?

Areas with high pollution tend to have a high concentration of naphthalene in the air. Companies that produce ink, dye, coal, tar, preserve wood or tan leathers also use naphthalene to the point where the smell may be noticeable.

How often should you change mothballs?

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 smell do mice hate?

Peppermint oil, cayenne pepper, pepper and cloves.

Mice are said to hate the smell of these. Lightly soak some cotton balls in oils from one or more of these foods and leave the cotton balls in places where you've had problems with mice.

Do dryer sheets keep mice away?

Dryer sheets don't deter mice. Baited traps won't solve a mouse problem, either.