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.

Why you shouldn't use 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.

Where is the best place to put moth balls?

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.

What will 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.

What happens to mothballs when exposed to air?

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 kind of animals do mothballs keep away?

Can you sleep in a room with mothballs?

Are mothballs toxic? 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.

Can smelling mothballs be harmful?

People have developed headaches, nausea, dizziness, and/or vomiting after being exposed to naphthalene vapors. If someone breathes in enough of the vapor or eats a mothball containing naphthalene, they might develop hemolytic anemia.

How long do mothballs stay active?

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.

How long do mothballs keep their smell?

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!

Do moth balls keep mice away?

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.

Can breathing in mothballs hurt you?

Inhalation of naphthalene may cause skin and eye irritation; gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea; neurologic symptoms, such as confusion, excitement, and convulsions; renal problems, such as acute renal shutdown; and hematologic features, such as icterus and severe anemia ...

Why do people put mothballs around their house?

Scatter them around your gardens and flowerbeds to keep cats, dogs, and rodents away. Animals hate the smell! Bats won't invade your belfry (or attic) if you scatter a few mothballs around. Add some mothballs to the boxes you store in the attic and silverfish will stay away too.

Why do people put mothballs in closets?

Why do People Use Mothballs? People use mothballs because moths have been known to eat through fabric in clothing and destroy the clothing items. They are used in an effort to stop the moth problem by killing or discouraging the moths from being in the area.

What animals are repelled by mothballs?

"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 animal would eat mothballs?

Poisoning most commonly occurs when dogs ingest mothballs. Cats are more sensitive to their toxic effects, but dogs are more likely to ingest mothballs due to their curious nature. Long-term exposure to mothball fumes can harm pets and people.

Do mothballs keep roaches away?

So, do mothballs get rid of roaches? The answer is yes they can. The use of mothballs is one of the most effective and easiest ways to use home remedies to curb a roach infestation. Apart from preventing roach infestations, mothballs also prevent other insects from coming into your home.

How long does it take for mothballs to make you sick?

Hemolysis of the red blood cells can occur following exposure to naphthalene by all routes of exposure. When hemolysis or methemoglobinemia occur, the onset of related signs and symptoms usually occurs 1-2 days after exposure because of the slow rate of metabolism of naphthalene to its oxidative metabolites.

Are mothballs toxic to dogs?

What makes mothballs poisonous for dogs? Perhaps the most toxic commonly found mothball ingredient is camphor. Camphor ingestion results in central nervous system poisoning where a dog can become agitated and develop seizures. The signs will occur quickly after ingestion and can be life-threatening.

What to do if you touched mothballs?

If naphthalene gets on your skin, wash with plenty of water right away. Remove clothes and shoes that contacted it. Wash clothes before wearing them again. If rash or irritation occurs, see a doctor.

Do mothballs keep bugs?

It is also important to note that mothballs aren't effective at repelling most pests. A few mothballs might get rid of moths and their larvae, but they aren't going to repel bed bugs, rats, mice, spiders, or ants.

Do moth balls 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.

What keeps mice away permanently?

Peppermint Oil

These rodents cannot stand this oil's robust and minty smell, so a few drops around your home can go a long way in keeping them away. You can also use a diffuser to spread the peppermint oil around your home or apply it directly to areas where you've seen mice or rats.

Does Irish Spring soap keep mice away?

The bottom line is the perfumes in this soap tell mice, rats, chipmunks, and other critters to stay clear. Irish Spring comes in different scents and varieties, and I have found that as long as it is Irish Spring in general it will work just fine.

Do dryer sheets keep mice away?

Do Dryer Sheets Keep Mice Out? Don't expect your box of Bounce to work any pest-control miracles. Dryer sheets don't deter mice. Baited traps won't solve a mouse problem, either.

Does Pine Sol keep mice away?

Strong scents deter rats and mice, specifically peppermint and Pine-Sol.