How Mothballs Keep Pests Away

What Happens

• Mothballs only work in air-tight containers. Over time, they release vapors of naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene that become concentrated in the containers and sufficient to kill any moths present. If the containers aren't fully sealed, they will emit a sweet scent that could be harmful if regularly inhaled. This insecticide is also available in powder and bar form. Left in the open, where pets or small humans can touch or even eat mothballs, these pesticides become a health hazard.

Only One Way

• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulates the stated procedure for using mothballs. They must be kept in a sealed space, one that won't allow toxic substances to be released. And they are not approved for outdoor use. According to the EPA, the active ingredients in mothballs are harmful to soil, water aquifers, plants and animals. Outdoors, the mothballs also are more likely to be encountered by your pets or children.

Health Risks

• Both of the active ingredients in mothballs are potentially carcinogenic if breathed, touched or consumed, according to the EPA. The agency states on its website that naphthalene has "suggestive evidence of carcinogenicity" and paradichlorobenzene is "likely" carcinogenic. Beyond this, these toxins can damage organs, create rashes and effect the central nervous system, yet manufacturers in the 21st century still are only required to state that the product must be used in an air-tight container.

Other Ways

• A few other simple methods could keep your clothes moth-free, without the potential for health problems. Clean your wool clothes in hot water, with wool-sensitive detergent, before storing them away for the winter. This will ensure that no larvae remains. Some people use cedar wood chips or small bags of moth-repelling herbs like rosemary and cloves. The website Care2.com suggests other non-carcinogenic ways to keep moths off your winter wardrobe.