
Is it legal to put mothballs in your yard?
Using mothballs in your yard is considered illegal and should not be done. The usage of mothballs is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). That means using mothballs for anything other than their intended purposes is illegal due to the harm it causes to humans, wildlife, and the environment.
What do moth balls kill?
The fumes from mothballs kill clothes moths, their eggs and larvae that eat natural fbers in indoor storage areas, such as closets, attics and basements. Clothing Moth (Tineola bisselliella) Mothballs are not intended to be used outdoors. The active ingredients can contaminate water and soil, harm wildlife, and contribute to airpollution.
What you should know about mothballs?
Precautions In Using Mothballs To Deter Wasps
- Always wash your hands well after handling mothballs, and preferably use disposable gloves to handle the mothballs.
- Do not place mothballs in an area where the fumes enter the house and constantly expose the occupants to the fumes. ...
- If you have pets, do not use mothballs in an area where the pets may accidentally access them. ...
Is it safe to have mothballs in the House?
The use of mothballs in the safe, confined space of your home can present many potential health risks and problems, especially with improper use of this chemical pesticide. It has been an important question posed in regard to mothballs, ‘can mothballs make you sick?’ and the answer to this question is yes, potentially.

Is it illegal to use mothballs to repel animals?
Using mothballs in a way not specified by the label is not only illegal, but can harm people, pets or the environment. Some mothballs for sale may be illegal, which means they were imported without oversight of the product contents or labeling. Because they have not been evaluated, the risks they pose are unknown.
Is it illegal to leave mothballs outside?
Another misunderstanding is the use of mothballs in outdoor areas to repel rodents, squirrels, bats, snakes or other wildlife. Mothballs are ineffective for this use and can contaminate soil and water. Using mothballs as animal repellants is not appropriate and can be illegal.
Can you put mothballs around your house?
Mothballs should not be used inside attics, crawl spaces, gardens, trash cans or vehicles. Nor used to control skunks, mice or other pests. Mothballs should not be used inside attics, crawl spaces, gardens, trash cans or vehicles.
What animals do mothballs keep away?
Mothballs or moth crystals are not to be used in open areas where the vapors can be inhaled by people. There are commercial repellent products available that contain naphthalene and sulfur and that have labels that do allow their use to repel rodents, snakes, raccoons, skunks, squirrels, bats, woodpeckers, and others.
How long will a mothball last outside?
One mothball in open air takes 3-6 months to dissipate entirely.
How long are mothballs effective outside?
Mothballs work as soon as their fume spreads. They work best in enclosed areas where pests and moths quickly smell them. Generally, they will last from three to six months when placed outside. They will gradually vanish in thin air in the form of gas.
Do moth balls attract mice?
Mothballs repelling mice and rats is a common misconception.
Are mothballs toxic to dogs?
What makes mothballs poisonous for dogs? Perhaps the most toxic commonly found mothball ingredient is camphor. Camphor ingestion results in central nervous system poisoning where a dog can become agitated and develop seizures. The signs will occur quickly after ingestion and can be life-threatening.
Why don't we use mothballs anymore?
Improved Home Pest Control While climate control and fabric blends mean moths are less likely to make their way inside your home and far less likely to find a suitable meal while there, improved pest control services have also played a part in the decline of demand for mothballs.
How do you spread mothballs in your yard?
1:286:58Simple Garden Hack....Mothballs - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBy your garden by doorsteps near your base of your house. Any place where you think a snake mightMoreBy your garden by doorsteps near your base of your house. Any place where you think a snake might hide throw a moth ball down there I do this about once a quarter. They do a really great job.
What to use instead of mothballs?
Cedar chips are a natural moth deterrent and a useful alternative for protecting your closet's contents from insects. Cedar comes in a variety of options from hanging cedar blocks to cedar chip balls to small plastic containers filled with cedar chips.
What happens if 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.
What happens if 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.
Why don't we use mothballs anymore?
Improved Home Pest Control While climate control and fabric blends mean moths are less likely to make their way inside your home and far less likely to find a suitable meal while there, improved pest control services have also played a part in the decline of demand for mothballs.
What happens to mothballs left in the open?
Mothballs slowly disappear as they turn into gas and mix with the surrounding air. The time it takes a mothball to vaporize depends on many factors, including how many mothballs are present, the amount of air-flow around the mothballs, and the temperature.
Why have mothballs been banned?
Illegal naphthalene moth repellent products -- mothballs -- are hazardous to young children. Mothballs can easily be mistaken for candy, or simply tempt young children to touch and play with them. Recent studies link naphthalene to illnesses, including nasal cancer.
What is illegal pesticide?
Pesticide products that are sold or distributed without a valid EPA registration (other than certain minimum risk products that are exempt from registration) are referred to as illegal pesticides. These products can harm you, your family and pets, as well as the environment. Registered pesticide products have been evaluated by EPA for safety.
How to shop for pesticides?
Shop for pesticides only in stores you know and trust. Don’t buy products that are packed or wrapped suspiciously. Contact the EPA Regional Pesticide unit for your location or call the National Pesticide Information Center Exit at 1-800-858-7378.
Should pesticides be avoided?
All illegal pesticides products should be avoided. You have no way of knowing how dangerous an unregistered pesticide is because it has not been tested for safety.
Can pesticides be counterfeit?
Read about pesticide registration. Can be counterfeit or copy-cats – they are made to look like EPA-approved products. Often do not have important safety information, such as warnings about keeping children and pets away from the product. Illegal pesticides may be sold on the street or in small neighborhood stores.
Can pesticides be used in the home?
Be aware that some pesticides are not meant to be used in the home (like farm pesticides). The product label will tell you where the product can be used.
Is mothball dangerous?
Illegal naphthalene moth repellent products -- mothballs -- are hazardous to young children. Mothballs can easily be mistaken for candy, or simply tempt young children to touch and play with them. Recent studies link naphthalene to illnesses, including nasal cancer. Widespread sale of illegal mothball products is a particular concern.
Is mothball illegal?
Widespread sale of illegal mothball products is a particular concern. Illegal pet products, including foreign versions of the well-known EPA-registered pet products Advantage and Frontline, have been illegally imported and sold throughout the United States.
