Clothes moth larvae are about ½ inch long and shiny white. Clothes moths can cause damage to clothing and other belongings in some homes. In the Pacific Northwest, there are two common species of clothes moths: the webbing clothes moth (Tineola bisselliella) and the casemaking clothes moth (Tinea pellionella). The larvae, or immature form, of the moths are to blame for the destruction of personal belongings.
The larvae of the clothes moth do not eat synthetic fibers. They eat animal fibers such as wool, feathers, and felt. They can, however, chew through synthetic fibers to reach animal-derived dirt or stains. They can also harm clothing made of both synthetic and wool or other animal fibers. Clothes moth larvae cannot survive solely on raw silk, but they do eat the finish on the yarn or fabric.
Clothing worn on a regular basis (two or three times per week) is rarely damaged by clothes moths because they are only active on garments that have been left undisturbed for an extended period of time.
Clothing moths can be controlled in a variety of ways, including sanitary, structural, and chemical methods. This comprehensive approach is known as Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Mothballs are one chemical method used to control clothes moths. There are some precautions you should take if you use mothballs to protect yourself, your family, and your pets.
What Are MothBalls?
Mothballs, a pesticide, are used to control moths, silverfish, and other fiber pests in wool and other natural fiber clothing and materials.
Mothballs can be harmful to animals or humans who ingest or inhale high concentrations of their vapors. They should only be used as directed on the label, and their disposal is governed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
For those who prefer not to use mothballs or other chemical treatments, alternative methods for controlling clothes moths are provided below.
What Chemicals Are in Mothballs?
Mothballs are often made of naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene, hich are both toxic to humans. These chemicals are fumigants, which means that their volatile chemicals will vaporize at lower temperatures, such as room temperature. Naphthalene has been linked to negative health effects caused by the improper use of mothballs in the home. Naphthalene exposure causes headaches, nausea, dizziness, and difficulty breathing. Paradichlorobenzene is also a potential hazard, though it is usually less so than naphthalene.
These two active ingredients can also be found in other household products. This publication focuses on the legal application of clothing moth control products.
While most people are familiar with mothballs, these chemicals are also available in cakes, crystals, tablets, bars, and flakes to control clothes moths. All of these products have one thing in common: they must be used according to the label instructions.
Following the label instructions will limit your exposure to these chemicals while effectively controlling the pest. It is also required by law. When using mothballs, never combine active ingredients such as naphthalene and paradichlorobezene.
Are Mothballs Poisonous?
Mothballs contain chemicals that are toxic to both humans and pets. By inhaling the fumes, people are exposed to the chemicals in mothballs. You are being exposed to these chemicals if you smell mothballs. Children and pets may mistake mothballs for food or candy and consume them, which can have serious consequences.
Some mothball chemicals can cause reversible health effects such as headaches, nausea, eye and nose irritation, and coughing. Naphthalene exposure can result in more serious side effects, such as hemolytic anemia. Naphthalene may also be carcinogenic. Long-term exposure to mothballs can also harm the liver and kidneys.
What Is the Best Way to Use Mothballs?
Mothballs, as regulated pesticides, must be used exactly as directed on the label. The labeled use of mothballs is to kill moths and other fiber insects in order to protect clothing. Place mothballs inside tightly closed containers with the clothing or materials to ensure proper disposal. The vapors will be trapped inside the container and will kill the moths. The closed containers keep chemicals from entering the air and spreading throughout the house. Before resuming use of mothball-treated materials, make sure to thoroughly clean them. Mothballs should not be used on diapers.
Common Misunderstandings
Mothballs should never be used in schools, daycare centers, or other public buildings.
The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals’ Section of Environmental Epidemiology and
Toxicology (SEET)
Mothballs should be used in an airtight container, such as a garment bag or a tightly sealed container. Mothballs should never be stored in an open closet or in a plastic garbage bag. When vapors enter a home, their odor can linger for a long time. People may experience symptoms or be forced to evacuate their homes, causing stress and financial hardship. Mothball odor can be detected in the air at a few parts per billion (One part per billion is equivalent to several drops of water in an Olympic-sized pool).
Never store mothballs in a location where small children or pets can reach them. A young child’s red blood cells can be damaged by eating just one naphthalene-containing mothball. Mothballs, like any pesticide product, should be kept in a locked cabinet out of reach of children.
Another common misunderstanding is the use of mothballs to repel rodents, squirrels, bats, snakes, and other wildlife in outdoor areas. Mothballs are ineffective for this purpose and can contaminate soil and water. Using mothballs as animal repellents is inappropriate and may be illegal.
Because mothballs are registered pesticides, it is illegal to use them in areas not listed on the label. Furthermore, manufacturers do not claim that these products are effective for anything other than moth control (or carpet beetle control for some products).
Placing mothballs in an attic to repel squirrels is a relatively common mistake. This is an incorrect application that may result in a foul odor throughout the house. Family members may suffer from adverse health effects or be forced to leave the house.
There are specific products and alternative strategies available to repel many common pests. Choose legal and effective methods against the specific pest.
Other Ways to Control Pests
Integrated pest management (IPM) is the most effective method of pest control.
If you have a pest problem in your home or office, you should use the IPM method to deal with it. IPM is a multifaceted and safe method of monitoring, identifying, preventing, and controlling pests. IPM consists of the following steps:
- Identify the pest in order to target preventive and control measures.
- Monitor pest numbers, damage, and locations.
- Implement preventive measures such as removing food sources, making habitat undesirable (for example, by removing tall grass), and erecting physical barriers; and
- Pests can be controlled using selective measures such as trapping and removing pests or using pesticides specific to the pest in an appropriate and minimal manner.
If pesticides are used, make sure to strictly adhere to the label instructions in order to use them safely and correctly.
Alternative Controls for Clothes Moths
Many people are opposed to using mothballs to control clothes moths. Even when used as directed, there is a risk of vapor inhalation or accidental ingestion by children and pets.
While cedar chips or balls smell great, they do nothing to keep clothes moths away.
Keeping moths out is the best way to protect your at-risk (animal-fiber) clothing from clothes moths. To protect these garments from clothes moths, clean them all according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The clean clothing should then be stored in airtight containers.
You must do more to combat existing clothes moth infestations. Using a HEPA vacuum cleaner, clean out drawers and closets. Vacuum all furniture and other areas where food sources such as lint, pet hair, and human hair can accumulate. Untouched lint and hair for an extended period of time are ideal breeding grounds for clothes moths. After vacuuming, throw away the vacuum bag as soon as possible.
After the infested items have been removed and cleaned, boric acid dust can be used to treat cracks and crevices. When using boric acid dusts, always follow the label directions.
Place stored clothing that is not kept in airtight containers in the dryer or the sun once or twice a month to kill larvae. Before putting the clothes back in the drawer or on the hanger, shake them out or brush them. This will aid in the removal of any remaining eggs and larvae.
Finally, do not use rodenticide baits to kill mice or rats indoors. Their carcasses can serve as a breeding ground for clothes moths!
FAQ
Can I Put Mothballs in My Room? Can You Sleep in A Room with Mothballs?
Yes, potentially, is the answer to this question.
Where Should Mothballs Be Placed in A Room?
According to the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC), the chemicals used in mothballs can be toxic to humans and animals, and when humans are exposed to these chemicals, toxic fumes are released into the home’s air space.
To do so correctly, place mothballs inside tightly closed containers with the clothing or materials. The vapors will remain within the container and eliminate the insects. The closed containers keep the chemicals from entering the air and spreading throughout the house.
How Many Mothballs to Use in A Room?
When it comes to determining how many mothballs to use in a room. Well, it depends. The majority of people keep an open pack of them in their closets. Some people, however, keep them in the drawers right next to their clothes. I would put one or two mothballs in the closet, one on the floor and one higher up. The next step will be to place one on the dresser (or where ever you keep your clothes in drawers).
To answer the question, one or two mothballs are sufficient for use in a single room.
However, I believe it is best not to use them because they are somewhat toxic. If you want to keep moths away from your room or house, use lavender, mint, or other repellents.
How to Use Mothballs in Closet?
Mothballs must be placed in an airtight container or garment bag to be effective. Never place mothballs in a plastic rubbish bag or an open closet. Once vapors enter a residence, their odor might linger for an extended period of time.
What Will Happen to The Mothballs When Placed in A Closet for 2 Weeks?
As mothballs decompose into gas and mingle with the surrounding air, they vanish gradually. Many factors influence how long it takes a mothball to evaporate, including the number of mothballs present, the quantity of airflow surrounding the mothballs, and the temperature.
In the air, moisture and sunlight cause it to decompose, typically within one day.
Do Mothballs Keep Mice Out of Garage?
The notion that mothballs repel mice and rats is a widespread fallacy. Mothballs contain a small quantity of naphthalene and can be used as a deterrent in large amounts; nevertheless, they are ineffective against mice and other rodents.
Is It Safe to Put Mothballs in Your Garden?
Clothes moths, their eggs, and larvae that eat natural fibers in indoor storage areas such as closets, attics, and basements are all killed by mothball fumes. Mothballs should never be used outside. The active ingredients have the potential to pollute water and soil, as well as harm wildlife and contribute to air pollution.
What Happens When You Put Mothballs in Water?
In water, naphthalene is degraded by bacteria or evaporates into the atmosphere. The majority of naphthalene will be removed from water in rivers or lakes within two weeks.
How Much Exposure to Mothballs Is Dangerous?
In the United States, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has established a permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 10 ppm for naphthalene. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) determined that naphthalene is immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) at 250 ppm.
How Long Does It Take for Mothballs to Kill Moths?
Mothballs start working as soon as you place them in the area you want to protect, and they work best in an enclosed area where the fumes trap the moths. They can keep moths and larvae away from your clothing for up to three months.
Do Mothballs Repel Animals? What Kind of Animals Do Mothballs Keep Away?
Mothballs are commonly recommended as wildlife deterrents in both indoor and outdoor settings. They are sometimes thrown in gardens and lawns to keep pets and other animals away. Mothballs, on the other hand, are ineffective at repelling wildlife in outdoor areas, such as rats, mice, squirrels, bats, snakes, or other wildlife, and are illegal in some cases.
Is It Harmful to Breathe in Mothballs?
Mothballs contain chemicals that are toxic to both humans and pets. By inhaling the fumes, people are exposed to the chemicals in mothballs. You are being exposed to these chemicals if you smell mothballs. Children and pets may mistake mothballs for food or candy and consume them, which can have serious consequences.