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Alternatives
to Mothballs
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Use alternatives to these toxic materials -
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Summary:
Mothballs are made from two very toxic chemicals. As
such we no longer recommend that mothballs be used
for carpet beetle and clothes moth control because
there are now safer and more effective alternatives.
Jack
DeAngelis, PhD
OSU
Ext. Entomologist (ret.)
my resume
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Mothballs
are extremely toxic!
Mothballs
are made of white crystals of two very dangerous
chemicals, para-dichlorobenzene
(1,4-dichlorobenzene) and/or naphthalene. Both
chemicals are solid at room temperature but produce
very strong, toxic vapors. Mothballs are sold as
flakes or pressed into cakes.
Both
of these chemicals are fumigants and the vapors must
be present in high concentration to be effective,
and this is the problem. Concentrations high enough
to be effective for pest control can be dangerous
for anyone exposed to them.
alternative
spelling: moth balls
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varied carpet beetle
(magnified; ~ 1/8" long); some carpet
beetles are all black
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Don't use
mothballs. Some people use mothballs to ward off
insect pests that damage clothes, such as carpet
beetles and clothes moths, and as a
deterrent to some landscape pests. They are often used
in excess which exposes people to hazardous compounds.
One of the
ingredients, para-dichlorobenzene, may be a carcinogen
and may also damage the liver and kidneys at high
doses. And, naphthalene can damage the liver and cause
eye injury. Mothballs can be especially dangerous if
accidentally eaten. In short, mothballs should not be
used by homeowners.
If they are
used, and unfortunately I know that some of you will
continue to use them, they should only be used
sparingly and anything stored around mothballs should
be thoroughly cleaned. Dry clean wool and silk
articles or wash other fabrics to remove all mothball
smell before use.
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Alternatives
to mothballs
There
are alternatives to mothballs for clothes moths and
carpet beetles. The most important point to remember
about clothes moths is that soiled cloth is much
more likely to become infested. Do not put clothes
that have been worn into long-term storage without
first cleaning them. Dry cleaning is the most
effective method for removing eggs and larvae of
insect pests.
Store
clean clothes in plastic bags or boxes that are
tightly sealed. Be cautious of imported wool
textiles especially. Dry clean any soiled item
before you bring it home. Infested drawers and
closets should be completely emptied and wiped down
with a mild solution of household cleaner. Dry clean
all wool or silk articles, non-wool or silk articles
can be washed and dried under heat. See How
to Manage Clothes Moths and How
to Manage Carpet Beetles for specific
information about eliminating these pests in your
home.
Related Site
National
Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
(search on the term "mothballs")
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Cedar
chests and cedar-lined closets
Cedar
oils, at concentrations present in cedar chests,
closets and scented wood blocks, have almost no
value as moth or beetle repellents. The value
of a cedar chest is that the chest is tightly
closed, thus preventing entry of moths or beetles.
So enjoy the aroma of your cedar but don't expect it
to chase away any bugs!
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Mission: To provide accurate, up-to-date and
unbiased information for solving common insect and
mite problems around your home, business and landscape
using least-toxic methods.
Jack DeAngelis, PhD,
 , email:
[email protected]
Please see the Disclaimer
statements as well.
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