I have a gap under my kitchen sink, we dropped some in there quite a few I must say. It is also a good idea to have a pheromone trap that you can hang in your closet to get rid of clothes moths. Mothball odour is a terrible smell to have clinging to your clothing. Mothballs change from a solid into a gas in a process called sublimation. Once youve assembled your arsenal of odor-fighting ingredients, youre ready to combat mothball odors wherever you find them. Open Windows when you open your sealed clothes you can place them near an open window and it will release the gas into the air. I do understand the fear that people must have when they see a snake or rodents and other wildlife animals, however, that is not its intended purpose. If you put the mothball under fabric or someplace where there is no air circulation, it takes about 12 months to dissipate! The mothball smell tends to linger. When you smell mothballs, you are inhaling the insecticide. It probably has to do with the fact that its known more of as a household product (like a cleaner) rather than a pesticide. How To Get Rid Of Mice? Mothballs can also be used to soak up moisture and prevent mould growth. . To get rid of this smell, its recommended that you never use any sort of air freshener to cover up the smell. Mothballs will disappear usually in a couple of months, but it really will depend on where you use them and the temperature and humidity play a big factor. Once your baby can sit up, you can practise rolling a ball back and forth.Use a big, light ball that will be easy for your baby to push. Once the baking soda has sat long enough to absorb the smell, vacuum it up. Although mothballs have been determined as safe for general use, the fumes can cause health problems. This simple white powder has the power to absorb even the most stubborn smells imaginable. Method 1 Wash the clothes with white vinegar Use a solution of white vinegar and water to get rid of mothball smells. It takes one mothball about 3 to 6 months for it to evaporate if kept in the open air. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Will Mothball Smell Go Away? We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. If you put the mothball under fabric or someplace where there is no air circulation, it takes about 12 months to dissipate! All containers should also thoroughly be washed out with vinegar after being used. Both the washing machine and hand washing should get the smell of mothballs out of clothing. A quality neutralizer will actually destroy the odor of the mothballs instead of just trying to cover it up. How do you neutralize the smell of mothballs? Weve had mice problems and someone told me to put mothballs. Keep your clothes smelling fresh by washing and drying them before sticking them in the closet. Last but not least, youll always want to use rubber gloves when handling mothballs. Mothballs are a great tool for protecting your clothes, blankets, sleeping bags, and anything else that can be damaged due to either moth larvae and mold. And we have some shocking news for you: a single mothball takes about 3-6 months to dissipate completely. It means that you can wear your clothes the next day without feeling embarrassed about your clothes reeking of naphthalene. CLOTHES MOTH KILLER KIT | 6 Months Protection for Closet Clothing | Professional Grade. Extended exposure may result in kidney and liver damage. Other methods for repelling moths that dont stink and make you sick include essential oils. Mothballs are a pesticide product that contain either naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene as active ingredients. In contrast to chemical moth balls, cedar is non-toxic, making it a natural alternative. The good news is that getting rid of that stench is fairly simple and involves products you likely already have in your home. A dry cleaner should be able to get rid of the smell of mothballs. Tomato juice can effectively remove unwanted smells and odors. Getting Rid of Mothball Smells in Your Home - Jenkins Restorations Charcoal tablets are usually sold at pet or department stores in pellet form. Take a small bowl and put baking soda in it. We allowed a friend going through a tough time to move in for a month or two. Due to the harmful chemicals naphthalene and paradichlorobenzene found within these mothballs we DO NOT sell them and would advise against using them for your own safety. Dry cleaning is not recommended, so, if needed, maybe the 1:1 vinegar water with a wet vac will solve the problem. A bowl of vinegar or activated charcoal (available at most pet stores) will slowly absorb the odor safely. Another thing you can do is take a small glass and fill it up with white vinegar. Both are potential carcinogens, poisonous and may cause nausea, dizziness, restlessness, lack of appetite, fatigue, headaches, and more. Keep mothballs away from ventilation areas in the home. Now, without wasting any more of your precious time lets head right into the depth of the things! It is against federal law to use a pesticide in any manner that is not consistent with its labeling. You dont want to remain exposed to mothballs for too long, though. The toxic chemical naphthalene can be smelled by humans at a MUCH lower threshold than whats considered harmful exposure. This will highly depend on the type of moths you are trying to be rid of. Naphthalene General Fact Sheet - Oregon State University And clothes moths pheromone trap. Mothball odor is a terrible smell to have clinging to your clothing. Baking Soda, on the other hand, does deodorize you can spread baking soda directly on or into clothing, shoes, etc and it will help eliminate odors. The hotter and more humid it is the faster the mothballs will dissipate from solid to gas. However, delicate clothing my require hand washing. The underlying concept is that removing a smell from air does not remove the source of the smell. When you have a clothes moth problem, mothballs are a convenient solution for getting the infestation under control. Next time you want to stop clothes moths from chewing holes in your sweaters and coats, consider using an alternative to mothballs. Literally epitomising the statement sticking around like a bad smell!. Both are potential carcinogens, poisonous and may cause nausea, dizziness, restlessness, lack of appetite, fatigue, headaches, and more. Here's What to Do! Washing your hands in things like toothpaste and lemon-scented soap can help eliminate the mothball smell from your hands. Sublimation is a fancy way to say that a molecule can go from a solid-state directly into a gas-state without going into a liquid state. First, as mothballs evaporate, they leave a gas in the air. Mothballs are an effective way to keep your home smelling fresh and clean. Finally hung open bags of mothballs in my attic. While theyre great for protecting fabrics from the ravages of insects, mothballs have bigger drawbacks than simply their smell. For starters, you can use a good odor absorbent such as baking soda, activated charcoal, or white vinegar. The smell is enough to drive moths and other insects, as well as small pests like mice and rats, away from the space. Certain bugs will Hi, I'm Mike, I have spent many years in the pest industry and wanted to share my experience and education with the world so if they desired so they could accomplish DIY Pest Control and do it with a confidence that it will work and that it is done correctly. Mothballs disappear over time because of sublimation. Dangers The chemical naphthalene is dangerous to humans and animals. By keeping them in air tight containers or plastic bags, you can prevent the dangerous fumes from escaping and causing unnecessary health issues. As long as you take precautions and put mothballs in an enclosed space, you shouldnt have to worry about breathing in enough fumes for the chemicals to affect you. For the rest of the house, lots of air movement/exchange (fans, open windows) is the best thing to do. You can eliminate mothball odors by using deodorizers, vinegar, or charcoal. mothballs are a convenient solution for getting the infestation under control, Clothes Moth Killer Kit - 6 Months' Protection. How Long Does it Take for Mothballs to Dissipate? By the way, I hope you only use mothballs indoors. The combination of its low price and its efficiency in warding off moths makes this repellent our top selection. When it comes to how long mothball smell will last in the air space of your home, this can be an ambiguous timeframe that will depend on various factors inside the home, such as how much mothballs were used in the indoor space, the airflow and ventilation in the home, and solutions that are used to combat this odor. They have been in the garage airing out even putting them in the sun to see if that helps. Both of these chemicals are toxic fumigants (which means they volatilize into the. Yes. We have developed professional grade solutions including proprietary pheromones engineered in Germany to the highest production standards. (see the current price for Nuvan Pro Strips on DoMyOwn.Com). Moth Hatching Season: When Are Moths Active, How to Get Rid of Drain Flies/Moth Flies in Your Bathroom. Should we chance it and try treating the smell or move on to something without mothballs. Then, go over the furniture as you normally would with the wet-vac. You may need a specialized odor eliminator to nix the mothball odor. There are certain scents that I remember quite vividly from my childhood. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. If those options dont work for you, storing clothing inside garment bags or storage containers may also prove effective. However, the fumes can last much longer, allowing mothballs to effectively last for several years if in a properly sealed container. Mothballs are a pesticide so if you want to use them please be sure to only use it for its intended purpose. Second, by crossing one odor with the other, youll more than likely create a new odor thats just as disgusting if not worse. Because basil, spearmint, rosemary, and sage drive away moths as well. Does the mothball smell go away? The best performing moth solutions on the market. Mothballs are basically a chunk or small ball of pesticides that repel both clothes moths and humans alikeand for good reason. Besides breathing the toxic gasses, ingesting mothballs can also lead to serious health concerns including death. An Informative Guide to Mini Goats, Knowing When to Plant Ranunculus Is Critical for Optimal Growth. How To Get Rid Of Mice? Inhaling the fumes will exacerbate this sensation and may lead to headaches, breathing difficulties, nausea, and dizziness. ), Hornet Nests vs Wasp Nests (How to Spot the Difference), How to Get Rid of Dust Mites from Upholstery, Smelleze Reusable Mothball Smell Deodorizer. So, if you are looking for ways to get rid of the mothball smell, I suggest you keep on reading because I am about to disclose some of the extremely effective methods that I learned from my mom. My mom would usually put the mothballs in the closets and the shelves to get rid of harmful bugs. Naphthalene can cause dizziness, nausea, upset stomach and liver problems. I was only able to retrieve 2. Alternatively, put the clothes in . Mothball odor is Typically, moth balls can last anywhere from 2 months up to a year, but like previously mentioned, the rate at which they dissolve really depends on the temperature and the current environmental conditions. That would allow you to suck up most or all of the balls. The labeled use of mothballs is to kill moths and other fiberinsects toprotectclothing. You can purchase a cedar chest or wardrobe to store seasonal clothing and shoes when you dont need them. So why do mothballs disappear over time? Here are the most common mothball-related questions: It usually takes a couple of months for the physical mothball to completely dissipate when not exposed to air. Do not leave windows opened if there's a chance of rain or other precipitation. They are airing in the sun outside this week. This is called Paradichlorobenzene. Moth Larvae on Your Kitchen Ceiling? Air Fresheners are nice and they can make the air smell delightful, however, they do not treat the air so I dont think it really counts as a way to eliminate mothball odor. You can also freshen up the air with the petitgrain aroma. March 17, 2022 By Admin033 Leave a Comment. Is there enough of a residual effect to cause harm? The 9 Best Moth Repellents of 2023 | by The Spruce How long does it take for mothballs to stop smelling? He attended the University of Akron, graduating with a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing. This can cause severe effects that should be taken care of immediately. link to Does One Bug Mean Many? Fortunately, while the smell tends to linger, it is easy to remove with things like vinegar, baking soda, cedar, and a washing machine. The rate at which a mothball evaporates really all depends on the temperature and the environmental conditions. Lawn Mower Starts Then Dies Heres the Fix. Even handling mothballs can cause your hands and eyes to itch and burn. So you dont want that smell hanging in the air like an ominous cloud. The answer is yes, with some hard work. The fumes are very toxic, and you could become ill with prolonged exposure. https://www.youtube.com . Called animal control and their methodology also proved useless. Any thing you can do too to help I would appreciate. I have had many customers whose home I have visited and when I get there they have a bag of mothballs out on the ground, in the garden and in other areas that they shouldnt use them. While its possible to wait out the mothball smell, this isnt recommended, in no small part because the poisonous residue will remain after the smell dissipates. The chemical used in the mothballs produces a vapor that can trigger respiratory contractions in asthma patients. If you don't have white vinegar, you can use coffee grounds instead. Amongst all the things I mentioned earlier, the most important amongst all is fresh air. When safely used they and are effective deterrent. Method 2 Soak the clothes in vinegar If you don't want to wash . The 71-piece set retails for $18, or about $0.25 a piece. Getting the mothball smell out of a room or closet is a little more difficult than clothing, although the solutions themselves are simple. Quora - A place to share knowledge and better understand the world How to Get Rid of a Mothball Smell - MothPrevention Made from either naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene, these little lumps of pesticide give off a toxic vapor that not only kills moths and their larva but also kills or repels a number of other insects. All Rights Reserved. You saved your clothing from becoming a moth-eaten heap. Toxic household products to avoid during pregnancy Mothball odor is a terrible smell to have clinging to your clothing. While airing the musty items out helps dissipate the scent, a little DIY know-how and some dedicated effort can help get rid of the mothball smell more quickly. Even handling mothballs can cause your hands and eyes to itch and burn. Although mothballs are a very popular and effective type of protective repellent, many people still dont fully understand how long moth balls last. The vapor that comes off of mothballs and kills pests is flammable, making them a serious fire hazard. Two different types of moths and the pheromone traps have different active ingredients to treat them. Eliminating a mothball smell can be infuriating and tricky. Why? Before you start spraying your upholstery to get out the mothball smell, consider the material. Make sure that you store moth balls and toilet cakes safely. It says directly on the label to only use them in a sealed container where the fumes are contained. In my professional opinion, I would only use mothballs in well-ventilated areas, garages, barns, or outbuildings. But now youre dealing with the smell of the mothballs you used previously to stop moths and their larvae from wreaking havoc on your wardrobe. No one loves the smell of mothballs. Naphthalene may also cause hemolytic anemia and is a possible carcinogen. Required fields are marked *. They can protect your clothing from moths and larvae for up to 3 months. MothPrevention speak to customers every day about their clothes moth issues - clothes moths are a species that are ever increasing and that can cause significant damage to clothes, carpets and other home textiles. Is a Hot Water Heater In the Attic a Good or Bad Idea? First apply a 50/50 mix of water and vinegar with a spray bottle. I got myself plenty of fresh air and some baking soda, to calm my stomach! Mothballs can pollute water sources damage soil and foliage, and if children or other animals get ahold of them there could be serious consequences even death. I wish I had a better (and cheaper) answer for you, but these are the two most viable options I can see, and the sooner you get the mothballs out of there, the less it will soak into the walls and floor of your kitchen. One mothball in open air takes 3-6 months to dissipate entirely. Now my brand new house smells like mothballs. Some popularnatural moth repellents involve ingredients like flowers, herbs, or essential oils. Apart from that, you can also use air fresheners to cover up the smell of mothballs. One of the best natural repellents is cedar wood. Mothballs disappear because they are composed of a weak molecular structure called naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene. Well have to hire someone to vacuum up any left-over mothballs. Lavender, mint, and cloves all repel insects. The smell, however, may remain in your home for months or years after the last used mothball. Its important to note that you should never dry your clothes until the odor of the mothballs has been completely eliminated. Neglecting to do this could result in respiratory problems. Price at time of publish: $18. Once you lay mothballs out to deal with moth larvae, the chemicals will transition into a gas and mix into the air. Whichever material you choose, place it in the areas with the heaviest smells, and change it often until the smell is gone. Eliminating a mothball smell can be infuriating and tricky. If ingested, can also be toxic to children, pets, and other animals, so its important not to use them in outdoor locations or in attics or crawlspaces. Mothballs may dissolve, but there will still be some intact pieces in the storage containers or within the folds of fabric. Paradichlorobenzene is a chlorinated hydrocarbon that also sublimates from a solid into a gas. Airing it out for a couple days usually enough to get rid of most of the smell. If you place the mothball underneath clothing or otherwise not in open air, it will take up to 12 months to completely dissipate. Store clothes in well-sealed containers or vacuum storage bags to restrict moth access.