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The labeled use of mothballs is to kill moths and other fiber insects to protect clothing. The vapors will remain inside the container and kill the moths. The closed containers prevent the chemicals from getting into the air and spreading through the house.
What can mothballs kill?
Mothballs are meant to kill moths, eggs and larvae, but are also used to keep rats, mice and squirrels away. Those containing paradichlorobenzene are safer than mothballs containing naphthalene. As little as one mothball can be toxic when swallowed. The chemicals can harm blood cells.
What are other uses for mothballs?
Protect your clothing, and accomplish these 5 tasks with this easy-to-find item. Rinse woolens for storage. Of course it is a good idea to store woolens with mothballs to ward off moths. Kill bugs on potted plants. Repel mice from garage or shed. Keep dogs and cats away from garden. Keep bats at bay.
Can you put mothballs in your house?
‘ 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.
Why have mothballs been banned?
Under California’s Proposition 65, naphthalene is listed as “known to the State to cause cancer”. In addition to their cancer risks, mothballs are known to cause liver and kidney damage. 1,4-Dichlorobenzene is a neurotoxin.
Where should I put mothballs in my house?
To do so properly, place mothballs inside tightly closed containers along with the clothing or materials. The vapors will remain inside the container and kill the moths. The closed containers prevent the chemicals from getting into the air and spreading through the house.
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.
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 critters do mothballs 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.
Can mothballs repel cockroaches?
Most roaches will move away from the smell of mothballs, and in rare cases, some roaches affected by the smell die due to inability to breath. In other words, we can say that mothballs mostly repel roaches, and in rare cases can kill them as well.
Do mothballs repel bed bugs?
Moth balls will repel bed bugs. Page 3 o FALSE—moth balls do not repel or kill bed bugs and they contain naphthalene or PDCB (paradichlorobenzene) and they are both are considered poisons, as well as being a choking hazard for kids. Kerosene will repel bed bugs. It cannot get into the places where bed bugs hide.
Why does my house suddenly smell like mothballs?
The simple answer is mothballs. Specifically the chemical that causes the mothball smell is naphthalene. Naphthalene also is present in tobacco smoke, and even in the air in highly polluted cities. If you live near one of these sources of naphthalene, your house may take on a strong mothball type smell.
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.
Can moth balls cause brain damage?
Storing treasured baby clothes in mothballs can be lethal, say leading pediatricians from Australia and New Zealand. The doctors say the fumes could lead to severe brain damage in babies and even death from the insecticide naphthalene used in mothballs.
Do mothballs keep snakes away?
Mothballs are commonly thought to repel snakes, but they are not intended to be used this way and have little effect on snakes.
Do mothballs keep mosquitoes away?
No, not unless the label describes that type of use pattern. 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.
How do I use mothballs in my closet?
To use mothballs, start by packing the clothes that you want to protect into an airtight container. Then, lay mothballs around the clothes in the container, using the right number of mothballs according to the instructions on the package. Next, seal the container and store it in a closet or under your bed.
How fast do mothballs work?
Mothballs get to work as soon as you place them in the area you wish to protect, and will work best in an enclosed area where the moths are trapped with the fumes. They can protect your clothing from moths and larvae for up to 3 months.
