How To Use Mothballs and Other Alternatives
Mothballs, one of the most common methods to control clothes moths. So how do you use mothballs? To begin, mothballs need to be recognized as a pesticide that when misused can be harmful to humans or animals, according to the Department of Health and Hospitals and pest management experts and toxicologists from Oregon State University. Keep reading to find out more about how to use mothballs (or have OrangeBag do your laundry and dry cleaning for you).
Mothballs shouldn’t be used in attics, crawl spaces, gardens, trash cans, or vehicles. Sometimes, mothballs are used in these locations to control pests other than clothes moths. They include squirrels, skunks, deer, mice, rats, dogs, cats, raccoons, moles, snakes, pigeons, and a variety of other animals. Any such use is illegal, and a relatively common mistake is placing mothballs in an attic to repel squirrels. This will almost always result in a persistent and noxious odor throughout your house.
So where do you use mothballs? If you’ve ever unfolded a sweater at the beginning of fall to find it riddled with holes from hungry moth larvae, it’s not a stretch to understand why mothballs exist.
Moths and carpet beetles love anything made of natural fibers, (think: your favorite wool sweater) because it’s a place to lay their larvae and guarantee their offspring have a hearty first meal. (They also are big fans of pet dander and hair, which is why it’s important to clean your clothes thoroughly before storing them.)
Some Problems With Mothballs
Mothballs have been used for generations to prevent infestations of moths and insects in stored clothing. However, mothballs, which are regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA,) contain strong chemicals like naphthalene or 1,4-dichlorobenzene that can be harmful to humans. Lung tissue can be damaged if the fumes are breathed in or skin can become irritated if moth ball-stored clothing comes in direct contact with skin.1 Plus, they smell really terrible and removing the odor from stored clothes is time-consuming and can be expensive.
So what are some other options to use instead of Mothballs?
Use Lavender Instead of Moth Balls for Clothing Storage
For an environmentally-friendly insect deterrent, use dried lavender. Lavender is non-irritating and has a pleasant smell. You'll find that your clothing, if properly stored, is just as protected from most insects and is ready to wear when you remove it from storage.
Because the scent fades over time, dried lavender sachets should be replaced seasonally to keep clothing protected. If you do not have freshly dried lavender, you can refresh the older lavender by adding purchased essential oils. Start with only a single drop because the oils are very potent and work in small batches so that you can mix it in well to distribute. If using essential oils, you should add a fixative that will help the oils cling to the plant material. Orris root or calamus root is a good fixative choice. For each pint of dried lavender, use about one tablespoon of fixative
Lavender can be purchased already dried or you can dry fresh lavender yourself. It is best to make sachets or place the dried lavender in a potpourri ball to prevent any possible staining of the fabrics. The ball or sachet should then be hung in closets or placed in drawers.
How to Prepare Clothing for Storage
Of course, nothing is going to prevent all insect infestation unless you have prepared the clothes or linens to be stored correctly. Follow these tips for best results:
Wash or dry clean all pieces before storing to remove stains that attract insects.
Thoroughly clean the storage area by vacuuming.
Select the correct type of storage containers.
Maintain an optimal temperature and humidity control in the storage area.
If you can smell the mothball odor, you are breathing in the pesticide. When mothballs are used properly inside airtight containers, the exposure risk for people and pets is low. However, if mothballs are used out in the open, the gas is released into the environment where people can breathe the vapors.
Exposure to gas from mothballs can lead to headaches, coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, eye and nose irritation, and nausea. More serious effects, like kidney and liver damage, can be caused by longer-term exposures. Do not use Mothballs as animal repellents or in ways that allow people or animals to become exposed. To make sure you are keeping your risk low, follow all label instructions and keep all pesticides out of the reach of children and animals.
OrangeBag is your expert Los Angeles Laundry Delivery Service and has the answers to your laundry questions!