Alternatives to Mothballs

-- Use alternatives to these highly toxic materials --

Summary: Mothballs are made from two very volatile toxic chemicals. These chemicals are dangerous even at very low concentrations. At concentrations high enough to be effective pest control agents they become extremely hazardous. As such we no longer recommend that mothballs be used for household pests such as carpet beetles and clothes moths, or indeed any other pest control task. There are now safer and more effective alternative treatments.

Mothballs are extremely toxic!

Mothballs are made of white crystals of one or two very dangerous chemicals, para-dichlorobenzene (1,4-dichlorobenzene) and/or naphthalene. Both chemicals are solid at room temperature but produce very strong, toxic vapors. Mothballs are generally sold as flakes or pressed into cakes or balls.

Both of these chemicals are fumigants and the vapors must be present in high concentration to be effective, and this is the problem. Concentrations high enough to be effective for pest control can be dangerous for anyone exposed to them.

Some people use mothballs to ward off insect pests that damage clothes, such as carpet beetles and clothes moths, and as a deterrent to some landscape pests. They are often used in large amounts which exposes people to high concentrations of these very dangerous compounds.

One of the ingredients, para-dichlorobenzene, may be a carcinogen and may also damage the liver and kidneys at high doses. And, naphthalene can damage the liver and cause eye injury. Mothballs can be especially dangerous if accidentally eaten. In short, mothballs should not be used by homeowners.

If they are used, and unfortunately I know that some people will continue to use them, they should only be used sparingly and anything stored around mothballs should be thoroughly cleaned. Dry clean wool and silk articles or wash other fabrics to remove all mothball smell before use.