Moth Balls - What Is Really Going On

Mothballs have a distinct odor.  Everyone recognizes it and everyone wrinkles up their nose at the smell.  But what’s really going on behind Mothballs?  Are they safe?

First of all, let’s look at what a Mothball really is – a small ball of chemical pesticide.  They are used to protect cloth items from those irritating little holes that either make you pick up a sewing needle or toss the item depending on how diligent the hungry larvae of the moths have been.

The most common use of Mothballs is to protect clothing.  Tossing a few in a closet is seen as a safeguard. However, Mothballs work using substances that are toxic to both the larvae and the moths. They are like dry ice (solid CO2) and undergo a physical change called sublimation. In this change the solid Mothball goes directly into the gas stage without first melting. In this gas stage the vapors can build up and kill the moths and their larvae. Mothballs are often also used to repel a number of other pests including mice and squirrels. 

But think about it for a minute.  If this stuff is so strong that it kills, do you really want to be near it?  It’s not really surprising that Mothball use has declined in recent years.  Research has indicated that the chemicals in Mothballs have the potential to cause, among other health issues, nausea, eye and skin irritation and cancer.

The health risks are attributed to two primary chemicals commonly found in Mothballs – Naphthalene derived from the distillation of coal tar and Paradichlorobenzene which is sometimes used as a substitute for Naphthalene. 

So you might want to think twice before you just toss a bunch of Mothballs into a closet.  There are safer moth removal alternatives out there.