How to Dissolve Moth Balls

Moth balls are small white balls used most frequently in containers where wool sweaters are stored to keep them from being eaten by moths. They are also used to keep rats away and other pests when placed outside the home, and they do this by their smell. Moth balls are made out of naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene, which are white crystaline compounds. They can be dissolved in few ways.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Place the moth balls outside in the rain. Leave the moth balls on concrete, and watch them dissolve within 15 minutes in heavy rain.

2. Put the moth balls in the soil of flower beds. You will have to replace the moth ball after a good rain if you want to use it to keep pests away. Between the moisture from the soil and water, the moth balls will dissolve quickly.

3. Dissolve moth balls when washing your sweaters. Place the moth balls in the washing machine during the rinse cycle to give added protection against hungry moths.

4. Place a moth ball in a can of turpentine. It will dissolve within one hour.

Tips & Warnings

• When handling moth balls, it is best to wear gloves to protect your hands from the chemicals.

References

• Use of moth balls
• Readers Digest

Resources

• About mothballs