Natural Alternatives To Moth Balls

With the growing concern about the chemicals in mothballs and in a bid to create a less toxic product, camphor is sometimes used as the primary ingredient. Camphor comes from the camphor tree, native to Asia.  It was introduced into North America in the late 1800’s.  Camphor is used in Asia to treat a number of medical conditions such as headaches and digestive disorders.  However, in large doses, it is known to be poisonous – not such an attractive quality.  Synthetic camphor may be derived from the essence of turpentine.

Although touted as a safer alternative to traditional chemicals in mothball production - naphthalene and dichlorobenzene – camphor comes with its own set of health risks including the potential to cause hormone imbalances, seizures, confusion and hyperactivity.  In a high enough dose it can be lethal. 

Despite the ‘safer’ edge of camphor, it is obviously far from ideal.

So what can you do?  At Rid Moths Naturally we have taken great strides in researching and testing the answer to this.  Here are just a couple of examples of the tips we have to get rid of moths.

There are some environmentally friendly alternatives.  An additional benefit to these alternatives is that they do not have the traditional unpleasant odor of mothballs.  Instead, the fragrances are much more pleasing. 

            Here’s an easy recipe for a repellant spray.  Mix the following:

¨       ¼ cup of Neem oil

¨       ½ gallon of water

¨       Dab of liquid castile soap

Spray inside your closets, drawers or other storage areas.

Various natural herbs that can also be used to repel moths.  Lavender leaves and oil, mint leaves, cedar wood chips, rosemary, bay leaves, cloves and thyme are all effective. 

It’s quite easy to mix some of these ingredients together and place them into a small sachet.

            The following mix has proven to be effective.

¨       2 ounces of dried rosemary and mint

¨       1 ounce of dried thyme and ginseng

¨       8 ounces of whole cloves

In conclusion, despite the easy temptation to just open up a box of mothballs and toss a few in the closet, think twice and try a safe alternative instead.

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.