Are mothballs safe around plants? Using mothballs in gardens also causes significant environmental problems. They usually contain either naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene. Both of these chemicals are highly toxic and can get into the soil and groundwater. These mothball hazards may even harm the plants you are trying to protect.
Can I put mothballs in my potted plants?
Mothballs will kill potted plants because they contain naphthalene and paradichlorobenzene. These chemicals will seep into the soil and damage the roots and stems of the plant. To keep pests away, you can use safe, organic alternatives such as rosemary, lavender, thyme, mint, or cedarwood.
Can you put moth balls around your garden?
Mothballs are not intended to be used outdoors. The active ingredients can contaminate water and soil, harm wildlife, and contribute to air pollution.
Will mothballs hurt garden vegetables?
Will my vegetables be safe to eat? A: The chemicals in mothballs are not translocated into edible plants. Some gardeners use mothballs to keep out rabbits and squirrels but the results are questionable. Mothballs can kill the vegetables by touching them.
Where should you not put mothballs in?
Mothballs should not be placed in closets, attics, basements, storage chests or trunks, garment bags or other spaces other than in tightly closed containers as explained above. Gasses from the mothballs escape into the air and can cause respiratory problems.
Where do you put mothballs in your garden?
What happens when mothballs get wet?
Wet mothballs are even more potent than dry ones. And the wetness can be profound, like exposure to water from a flood or leaky pipe, or mild, in the form of high humidity. Either will cause the odor to be more potent and sublimation to be more rapid.
Will mothballs hurt tomato plants?
The Gardening Channel notes that chemicals in the mothballs irritate moles, forcing them to abandon the tunnels and go elsewhere. Do not place any mothballs into the hole where your tomato plants will go. The ingredients in the mothballs will kill the plant if placed that close together in a confined underground space.
Why would someone put mothballs outside?
While mothballs are meant to keep moths away from clothing, wool blankets and similar stored goods, some people have used them to keep animals away from gardens or even out of the attic. Although many animals find the stench unappealing, placing moth balls in mulch or otherwise using them outdoors is not a good idea.
How long will mothballs last outside?
One mothball in open air takes 3-6 months to dissipate entirely. If you place the mothball underneath clothing or otherwise not in open air, it will take up to 12 months to completely dissipate. The mothball smell stays in your home for months or years after dissipating.
Can mothballs contaminate food?
Mothballs should not be used around food or food preparation areas. Mothballs are only allowed to be used in airtight containers. Gasses build up to kill insects that feed on natural fibers. Those gasses may pose a risk to people or pets if used improperly.
Do moth balls keep squirrels out of flower pots?
Take the moth balls, cayenne pepper and tape outside to your garden. If you have a problem with the moth balls being used, you could try just the cayenne pepper in the squirrel repellents to see if this will work.
Do moth balls keep animals away?
Outdoors. Mothballs are occasionally thrown in gardens and lawns to keep away pets and other animals. However, mothballs are ineffective in repelling wildlife in outdoor areas such as rats, mice, squirrels, bats, snakes, or other wildlife.
Is smelling mothballs harmful?
Moth balls contain a toxic chemical, either naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene. Both become a gas when exposed to air and cause that pungent moth ball smell. These gases are irritating to the eyes and lungs and may cause headache, dizziness and nausea. They are both suspected of causing cancer.
Can smelling mothballs make you sick?
Inhalation of naphthalene may cause skin and eye irritation; gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea; neurologic symptoms, such as confusion, excitement, and convulsions; renal problems, such as acute renal shutdown; and hematologic features, such as icterus and severe anemia …
What are moth balls good for?
Today’s mothballs are typically almost 100% active ingredient, either paradichlorobenzene or naphthalene. These chemicals turn into gases that build up inside airtight containers, killing clothes moths and their eggs.
Do snakes hate mothballs?
Use of Snake Repellents
As with any pesticide, make sure you read the entire label before using any products to repel snakes. Mothballs are commonly thought to repel snakes, but they are not intended to be used this way and have little effect on snakes.
Do moth balls keep rats away?
Mothballs repelling mice and rats is a common misconception. Mothballs contain a small amount of naphthalene and can be a deterrent in large quantities, however, they aren’t powerful enough to get rid of mice and rodents.
What bugs do mothballs keep away?
The primary purpose of a mothball is to destroy moths and their larvae, but some companies claim that their mothballs work on a variety of different pests ranging from bed bugs to carpet beetles.
What do you do if you touch a mothball?
If ingested, seek medical attention immediately! If you have found mothballs, do not touch them with your bare hands: use gloves. Dispose of them in the same way that you dispose of other household hazardous waste. Ensure that you wash your hands afterwards as well.
Do moth balls keep squirrels out of flower pots?
Take the moth balls, cayenne pepper and tape outside to your garden. If you have a problem with the moth balls being used, you could try just the cayenne pepper in the squirrel repellents to see if this will work.
Will mothballs hurt tomato plants?
The Gardening Channel notes that chemicals in the mothballs irritate moles, forcing them to abandon the tunnels and go elsewhere. Do not place any mothballs into the hole where your tomato plants will go. The ingredients in the mothballs will kill the plant if placed that close together in a confined underground space.
Do mothballs keep mosquitoes away?
The label of any pesticide product, including mothballs, tells you exactly where and how a product is supposed to be used. Using the product in any other way could put you and others at risk. Besides, they have little or no effect as repellents. Many years ago, mothballs may have been made out of different chemicals.