Mothball Alternatives: Safe Options to Prevent Moths
By Marilee Nelson |
Mothballs have been the go-to pesticide for preventing moths from destroying sweaters, upholstery, rugs, and other clothing for decades.
Although they are effective, they also smell terrible and are highly toxic to humans and pets.
Yet, if you’ve ever pulled your favorite cashmere sweater from storage only to find it ruined by moth holes, you likely understand the temptation.
Fortunately, with a bit of prevention and a few natural mothball alternatives, you can avoid the perils of moths without sacrificing your health in the process.
In this article, we’ll explore three natural mothball alternatives and how to use them.
What Is A Mothball?
Mothballs are solid round balls made with the EPA-registered pesticides naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene.
Originally made from natural camphor, they were created to kill clothes moths, which thrive in warm, dark, unventilated areas and whose larvae love to consume natural fibers, especially wool and cashmere.
The three major problems with mothballs are:
#1: They are highly toxic to humans and pets, especially babies, children, and small pets.
If people realized how toxic mothballs are, I’m convinced there is no way they would allow them in their homes. Yet, we are led to believe they are safe so long as “used as directed”.
The problem is, even when sealed in a clothing bin, their toxic fumes permeate the entire house and are inhaled by its inhabitants. Plus, when we remove clothing from the bins, that residue is touching our skin.
What exactly are these fumes? As mentioned previously, they come from Naphthalene or Para-dichlorobenzene, the leading ingredients in mothballs.
Let’s start with the dangers of Naphthalene, which is considered an irritant, health hazard, and environmental hazard.
Side effects of short-term Naphthalene exposure via inhalation, ingestion, or dermal contact can include:
- Hemolytic anemia, in adults and babies whose mothers inhaled Naphthalene from mothballs during pregnancy
- Liver damage
- Neurological damage
- Cataracts
- Severe burns to skin and eyes
- Irritation to the eyes and mucous membranes
Chronic, long-term exposure has produced:
- Cataracts
- Hemolytic anemia
Some mothballs are made with Para-dichlorobenzene or PDCB, which is considered less toxic than Naphthalene.
However, PDCB is also considered an irritant, health hazard, and environmental hazard. Its toxicity affects the liver, skin, lungs, kidneys, and central and peripheral nervous systems.
People must also understand that children, babies, and pets are much more vulnerable to the effects of these toxins due to their smaller size and less developed organs.
#2: They are often misused.
Even though the authorities do not recommend it, many households commonly place mothballs tucked away in closets, attics, cupboards, etc.
This is a big problem because their fumes escape and permeate the entire house, which means everyone who lives there breathes in toxic pesticides all day and all night long.
Mothballs are intended for use in sealed spaces, such as clothing storage bins, which should be opened outdoors (after several months storage) to avoid exposure.
However, as mentioned previously, even when used as directed, a portion of their fumes will escape and pollute the home.
#3: Every year, thousands of children and pets accidentally ingest toxic mothballs.
Tragically, children and pets can mistake mothballs for something edible (especially exploring babies) and ingest them.
This can cause severe organ damage and even death.
Mothball Alternative
If learning about those health and safety hazards has made you rethink your relationship with mothballs, congratulations!
There’s a reason eliminating household pesticides is the first step in our Toss The Toxins Online Course; they are incredibly hazardous to your health and the environment.
Plus, they are entirely unnecessary when you know what to do, which we’ll discuss next.
The Key to Moth Control - Proper Cleaning and Storage
Did you know that moths are attracted to clothes that have food stains, perspiration and urine odors. Even if a garment is only worn for a few hours, it should be cleaned before storing because a moth will not attack clean clothes. Moths are interested in the nutrients that they find on clothes from sweat, body fluids and oils, and spilled food.
Clean all clothes, regardless of fabric, before storing in your closet. Clothing moths typically do not eat cotton, rayon, linen, or polyester but if they are blended with animal components, OR if they are very dirty with food or sweat stains, then moths may come to feast. As long as cotton clothes are clean and dry they should not be at risk. In general moth larvae prefer animal based fibers that contain keratin.
Ideally, clothes should be stored in a cool, dry, well ventilated area.
Store cleaned clothes made of wool, fur, or feathers in a tightly sealed container (tape over zippers, seams and joints to prevent entrance) that moths can’t enter. Moths will lay eggs in clean wool. Place suits, dresses, and hanging clothes in garment bags, sealed (again tape over zippers, seams and joints to prevent entrance) without holes. Avoid fabric containers, which moths can eat through.
Cedar Balls, Rings, Blocks, or Chips
Natural cedar has a long-standing history as the best natural moth and insect repellant, but there are caveats. Check out this article for the pros and cons and consider if desired.
- Cedar has a strong aroma, from cedar terpenes, that is hard to remove from clothes. The cedar smell also incorporates into drywall and other porous materials.
- Cedar must be refreshed periodically to be effective.
It is difficult to find a way to use cedar without impacting your home’s air quality. Consider covering your cedar chest inside and out as suggested in article above.
Why Are Moths Attracted to Fabrics and Clothing?
Moths are attracted to fabrics and clothing because they’re stored in dark places and provide a food source for their larvae.
However, the food source isn’t just the fabric. Moth larvae need a certain amount of B vitamins, which they get from fabrics and from human skin, sweat, hair, and food.
This is why it’s so important to wash your clothing, blankets, etc., before storing for the next season.
Washing And Storing Your Clothing
When it comes to moths, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
The best way to prevent moths from infesting your stored clothing is to ensure that it is put away clean.
Yes, sweaters require special cleaning, but extending their life and preventing a moth infestation is worth the time and effort.
Ideally, we recommend hand-washing your sweaters in natural laundry soap to prevent exposure to dry cleaning chemicals.
However, always check the labels because “Dry Clean Only” can mean the wool or cashmere will shrink significantly if hand-washed.
In this case, try to find a non-toxic dry cleaner in your area.
For more details, see: How To Wash Dry-Clean Only Items At Home.
If your sweaters can be hand-washed, follow these instructions:
- Hand-wash in cold or warm water using a natural laundry soap, like Branch Basics Laundry.
- Gently squeeze out excess water, then place on a bath towel.
- Roll the wet seater up in the bath towel, pressing firmly to extract as much water as possible
- Unroll and repeat to remove more water.
- Lay flat to dry completely.
- Store in an airtight container of your choicew
Although clever marketing has led us to believe we need a specific type of “gentle” synthetic-chemical-based detergent for sweaters, the truth is a natural, human-safe laundry soap or detergent is a much gentler option for sweaters.
Related reading: 9 Natural Laundry Detergent Alternatives.
How To Get Rid Of Clothing Moths
If you’ve already discovered evidence of clothing moths, resist the urge to call an exterminator or break out the toxic mothballs.
Fortunately, there are safer and equally effective ways to deal with moths, starting with a deep clean.
I lay out the entire process for you in: How To Get Rid Of Moths Without Toxic Mothballs.
Toss The Toxins With Branch Basics
Learning how to address pest issues without toxic pesticides, like mothballs, is one of the best things you can do to protect your health.
Removing and replacing other harmful synthetic household chemicals with safer, more natural alternatives is also essential to creating a healthy home haven.
Branch Basics is all about making it easy to replace synthetic chemical cleaning, laundry, and personal care products with human-safe, eco-friendly, and natural alternatives.
Our natural cleaning line, for example, was designed to replace every toxic cleaner, laundry product, and more using just one Made-Safe Certified, Concentrate.
We also offer a wealth of educational resources on identifying, removing, and replacing harmful products in your home on our blog, Podcast, and through our Toss The Toxins Online Course.
For more information about Branch Basics’ human-safe, plant- and mineral-based cleaning system, see: How To Get Started With Your Branch Basics Kit for a full video and written tutorial.
Ready to get started? Check out Branch Basics starter Kits available in refillable plastic or glass, which have everything you need to toss the toxins and start creating a healthier home.
Marilee Nelson
Marilee Nelson is an Environmental Toxins expert who has spent nearly 30 years advocating for the chemically-sensitive and chronically-ill. She is a Board Certified Nutritionist, Certified Bau-Biologist and Bau-Biology Inspector and specializes in Food As Medicine. She has helped thousands of families and individuals identify, heal and recover from toxic exposures and is on a mission to revolutionize the way American families view their health.
