What Are the Active Ingredients in Moth Balls?
Mothballs contain either naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene as their active ingredient. Both of these substances are fumigants--they are volatile compounds that release odors to repel clothes moths. Does this Spark an idea?
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Usage
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Mothballs must be placed in a garment bag or other sealed container; trash bags are not acceptable. The clothes being stored with the mothballs must not be stored in an open closet where vapors can get into other rooms in the house.
EPA and Mothballs
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Mothballs must be used in accordance with the label and label directions. They are considered to be pesticides by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which overlooks all legal pesticides in the United States.
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Legal Mothballs
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Only paradichlorobenzene mothballs are legal in the United States. To see if a pack or box of mothballs is legal in the US, check for an EPA registration number on the package.
Side Effects of Paradichlorobenzene
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Side effects of paradichlorobenzene exposure include headaches, nausea, difficulty breathing, and dizziness. If vapors escape into the living area, the house may have to be evacuated and vented out.
Considerations
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Naphthalene mothballs are illegal in the US. Any pesticides sold off the streets may either be stolen or illegal in the US. Shop only from trusted retailers like Lowes, Home Depot, local landscaping stores, and garden centers.
Warnings
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Never combine naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene mothballs. Keep mothballs and other pesticides out of reach of children and pets.
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