„People often use mothballs in inappropriate places and against fake pests,” Stock said. „The only recommendation that matters is the product label, a legal document whose instructions must be followed – especially on where mothballs can be used and what pests they will control.” Pesticides sold or distributed without a valid EPA registration (with the exception of certain minimal-risk products that are exempt from registration) are called illegal pesticides. These products can harm you, your family and your pets, as well as the environment. The safety of registered pesticides has been tested by the EPA. Many people don`t even know that mothballs are pesticides. These are pesticides that come in solid form, then evaporate and slowly turn into gas. If you smell mothballs, inhale the pesticide. Because mothballs are pesticides, they are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency and using products in a way that does not fit the product label is illegal. The labels do not allow use as an animal repellent. Following label directions limits exposure to these chemicals and controls them as effectively as possible.
It is also a legal obligation. „Never mix active ingredients like naphthalene and paradichlorobenzene when using mothballs,” Stone said. When mothballs are used in airtight containers, as required by the label, the vapours released by mothballs accumulate and kill or at least repel them. Many experts say that mothballs against clothing moths are not very effective anyway. To function effectively, they must be used in sufficient quantities and used in an airtight container; Most people fail both ways. Plastic bins with dense lids are a good choice for storing wool and clothes. After all, placing mothballs or moth crystals in your attic is likely to deter indeterminate animals from nesting there (see Don`t use mothballs to repel pesky animals). A female squirrel will move into an attic as she prepares to give birth, and once she establishes her nest there, it will be very difficult to keep her going. Once their cubs are born, it will be practically impossible to replace them with repellents.
Mothballs are pesticides designed to kill clothing moths and other tissue pests. They are regulated in the United States by the Environmental Protection Agency. The label of each pesticide, including mothballs, states exactly where and how you can legally use the product. Using mothballs in a way not indicated by the label is not only illegal, but can harm people, pets or the environment. It is important to know that mothballs are poisonous, so you will deposit a poison in your home that will give off fumes for months. These vapors are insecticides and it is not healthy to inhale them. According to the National Pesticide Information Center, outdoor mothballs can harm children, pets, and other animals. Mothballs are regulated by the EPA, and the packaging includes instructions on how to use them legally. Using them in your yard as a snake repellent is not a legal way to use them, and it`s toxic to you, your family, and the animals in your home, including pets. Inhalation of the vapours has been linked to irritation of the lungs and eyes, as well as cancer. In other words, it is against federal law to use mothballs for anything other than the intended use indicated on the packaging because they are so harmful to humans and animals. Mothballs should not be used in attics, crawl spaces, gardens, garbage cans or vehicles.
„Often mothballs are used in these places to control pests other than clothing moths,” Stone said. These include squirrels, skunks, deer, mice, rats, dogs, cats, raccoons, moles, snakes, pigeons and a variety of other animals. Such use is illegal. „A relatively common mistake is placing mothballs in an attic to repel squirrels. This almost always results in a persistent and harmful smell throughout the house. „Mothballs or related moth crystals, moth flakes or moth cakes contain naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene chemicals. They are technically fumigants that emit fumes that, if misused, can be harmful to humans and pets. The product label states that mothballs can only be placed in tightly sealed containers to protect fabrics from clothing moths or carpet beetles.
Mothballs and related products should never be used in open spaces, especially in living quarters where people can inhale them. If enough mothballs are placed in an attic, and depending on the air exchange in the house, the fumes can affect a child sleeping in an upstairs bedroom. Some mothballs for sale may be illegal, meaning they have been imported without supervision of product content or labeling. As they have not been assessed, the risks they pose are unknown. Another common mistake is using mothballs in gardens or other outdoor spaces to control insects, snakes, or other wildlife. Using mothballs outdoors can harm children, pets and other animals. Mothballs used outdoors can also contaminate soil, plants and water. The following information provides additional resources for the proper use of mothballs and some alternative methods of controlling clothing moths. If you have an annoying animal problem in or around your home, it`s best to contact a pest control company like Colonial, which is licensed and experienced in wildlife control, including trapping and exclusion.
Don`t risk your family`s health by trying to scare animals with mothballs. When we visit homes to remove squirrels, birds, bats or other pesky animals from attics, we often find that the owner has thrown mothballs into the attic to keep intruders away. This is not a good decision in more ways than one. A common mistake is the use of mothballs in containers that are not airtight, allowing toxic fumes to escape into the surrounding air. This can lead to long-term exposure, which can cause health problems. Mothball labels typically instruct users to place mothballs in a tightly sealed container that prevents pesticide fumes from accumulating in homes where humans and pets can inhale them for long periods of time.