Safe Alternative to Toxic Mothballs

Editor’s note: This article has been reprinted. First published October 18, 2017.

Before the mass production of synthetic fibers such as polyester, mothballs were commonly added to trash cans, boxes and trunks to prevent clothes moths (Tineola bisselliella) from infesting stored clothing made from natural fibers. Perhaps you remember visiting an elderly relative’s home where the attic or basement smelled strongly of mothballs. It’s an unforgettable smell and one that can become toxic with continued exposure.

Even though people today wear less natural fabrics like wool, demand for mothballs remains high. While mothballs were once used almost exclusively to prevent moths from attracting stored clothing, they are now mostly misused to deter pests found in attics, backyards, and gardens. A much better solution to repel moths is to use essential oils such as lavender, mint, and eucalyptus oil.

Who regulates mothballs and what’s in them?

In the United States, mothballs are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Currently, more than 30 products containing paradichlorobenzene and more than a dozen products containing naphthalene are registered with the EPA.^One In particular, the European Union (EU) banned the supply of all naphthalene-containing products in 2008 due to toxicity concerns.²

Pesticide labels, including mothball labels, detail where and how the product may legally be used. Using moth balls in any way beyond what is recommended on the label is not only illegal but can be harmful to people, pets, and the environment.^three For example, you may use mothballs to prevent digging rodents in your garden. Tim Stock, director of integrated pest management at Oregon State University (OSU), said:⁴

“People often use mothballs in the wrong places and against the wrong pests. The only recommendation that matters is the product label. This is a legal document that must be followed, specifically providing guidance on where mothballs can be used and what pests they are intended to control. .”

Stock and Dave Stone, Ph.D., associate dean for international programs at OSU, co-authored an article titled “Moths: Appropriate Uses and Alternative Controls for Clothes Moths.”⁵

Stone says moth balls should not be used in attics, crawl spaces, gardens, trash cans or inside vehicles. “Mothballs are often used in these locations to control pests other than clothes moths,” he says. Wild pests Stone mentioned include deer, mice, moles, raccoons, squirrels and skunks. He suggested that domesticated cats and dogs were also targets of mothballs. All of these animal applications are illegal and sometimes dangerous, Stone said.⁶

“A relatively common mistake is to place mothballs in the attic to repel squirrels. This almost always results in a persistent, noxious odor throughout the house.”

Health effects of toxic ingredients in mothballs

In the past, mothballs were made from vegetable camphor, and later from naphthalene, a derivative of coal tar. Because naphthalene is highly flammable, mothballs are sometimes made using the synthetic chemical paradichlorobenzene, which has an unpleasant odor but is cheaper to manufacture.⁷

Almost 100% of today’s mothballs (bars, cakes, crystals, flakes, tablets) contain naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene as the active ingredient.⁸ When you inhale the smell of mothballs, you are actually inhaling pesticides. According to Stone:⁹

“Both chemicals are fumigants, which means the volatile chemicals vaporize at low temperatures, such as room temperature. Naphthalene has been linked to adverse health effects such as headaches, nausea, dizziness and difficulty breathing. Paradichlorobenzene There is also a potential risk, but generally less than that of naphthalene.”

Because naphthalene and paradichlorobenzene convert directly from a solid to a gas (a process called sublimation), it is the toxic fumes that kill moths and moth larvae.¹⁰

In addition to the concerns mentioned above, I would like to add that paradichlorobenzene has been found to cause cancer in animals. Long-term exposure to naphthalene can damage or destroy red blood cells, causing diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Because of potential side effects, it is important to follow all label directions and take steps to limit exposure to naphthalene and paradichlorobenzene contained in mothballs and other household products.

How to Use Mothballs Correctly

The secret to success with mothballs is to place them in an airtight container with stored items. Inside the sealed container, the smoke becomes concentrated and kills the moths. When placed this way, mothballs are said to be harmless to humans because they contain smoke. However, you face a risk of toxic exposure and potential health problems if:^11,12

• Store mothballed items in containers that are not tightly sealed. This is because smoke can be released into the air and accumulate in living spaces where people and pets live.
• Use mothballs in your garden or other outdoor areas to control insects, rodents or snakes due to potential contamination of the air, soil, plants and water supply.
• Keep mothballs out of reach of children and pets who might swallow them.
• Wash clothes stored with mothballs immediately after removing them from the storage container.

It is important to note that due to the small size of infants, they can be easily overcome by toxic exposure from clothing treated with mothballs.¹³ Clothes that have been stored in mothballs should not be worn on your baby until they have been properly ventilated and washed. If possible, keep baby clothing separate and use one of the non-toxic alternatives to mothballs, which we’ll discuss later.

As you can imagine, children, pets, and wild animals can easily mistake mothballs for food and chew or swallow them. If someone has ingested a mothball, call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 1-800-222-1222 or get emergency medical help. If you think your pet has eaten a mothball, contact your veterinarian.

A safer way to prevent moth damage

The Spruce offers some helpful suggestions for preventing moth damage without using toxic mothballs.¹⁴

• At the end of the season, machine wash or dry clean your clothes before storing them to kill any larvae that may be on them.
• Store items in sealed containers such as boxes, plastic storage containers, or suitcases. Putting zippered wool coats and suits into garment bags
• Moths prefer moist environments, so store items in closets or under beds. Avoid storing clothes in the basement or garage for long periods of time.

The best defense against clothes moths is a preventive strategy, but Stock provides information on how to deal with a moth infestation.¹⁵

“…Vacuum drawers and closets with a HEPA vacuum cleaner. Also vacuum furniture and other areas that provide food sources such as lint, pet hair, and human hair. Lint and hair left unattended for long periods of time are major breeding grounds for clothing and moths. “

Change vacuum bags regularly to remove larvae from your home and not give them a chance to reproduce again. If you find moths on clothing or other fabrics, place the item in the freezer for at least 24 hours to kill any active larvae.

How to get rid of moths naturally

The Apartment Therapy website offers an easy DIY project on how to make moth repellent bags using dried herbs.¹⁶ Most health food stores sell dried herbs in bulk. In addition to following the suggestions above, you can get rid of and prevent clothes moths with one or more of the following natural remedies:¹⁷

• Cedar — Cedar blocks, chips, boxes or closets have long been recognized as effective moth repellent. Keep in mind that cedar loses its scent and insect-repelling properties over time, so you’ll need to regularly lightly sand the wood or apply cedar oil to rebuild the scent.
• Cloves, rosemary, thyme — Place dried herbs in one or more bags and place them in a storage container with your clothes. Replace the contents of the sachet every six months or whenever the scent disappears.
• Lavender — Fill one or more bags with dried lavender or soak several cotton swabs in lavender essential oil and place them in an airtight storage container with your clothes.
• Mint – Place a handful or more of dried mint leaves in one or more bags or soak several cotton swabs in peppermint essential oil and place them in an airtight container with your stored items.

What about white camphor oil?

As previously mentioned, white camphor oil was once the main ingredient in mothballs. Unlike naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene, white benzene has medicinal uses and is not considered a carcinogen. However, it is toxic if consumed in large quantities.

Camphor oil (Cinnamomum camphora) is extracted from the camphor tree, which is native to China, Japan, and Taiwan (Formosa). It is sometimes also grown in India and Sri Lanka. Camphor oil produces three distinct fractions: brown, yellow, and white. Only white camphor oil is used for aromatic and medicinal purposes. The brown and yellow parts contain a substance called safrole, a known carcinogen.

White camphor is a common ingredient in menthol-containing products and ointments designed to relieve skin diseases and fungal infections. This can often be found in cold rubs and decongestants. Due to its intense penetrating scent, whitehorn oil acts as an effective pest repellent, especially against flies and moths. Because of its cooling and penetrating properties, whitehead oil offers several health benefits, including:¹⁸

• Anesthetics — Causes sensory nerve paralysis at the application site.
• Anti-inflammatory and sedative — It reduces inflammation and calms nerves, leaving you feeling peaceful and relaxed.
• Antispasmodics — Provides immediate relief from muscle spasms, spasms, and stiffness that may occur due to magnesium deficiency.
• Decongestants — Provides breathing relief by reducing blockages in the bronchi, lungs and nasal passages.

Precautions regarding white brain oil

Brain oil has many health benefits, but keep these precautions in mind: If you have any concerns or questions, seek the advice of a healthcare professional before use.