Moths are both one of the most common and most damaging pests in this country. As a result, people are prone to adopting all sorts of solutions to get rid of them, often disregarding other potential damages that these solutions can result in.
One popular approach is to use mothballs, but just how safe is this strategy? Here, we take a look at the toxicity of conventional mothballs, as well as provide some safer alternatives that are less likely to be damaging to your health.
Conventional mothballs are toxic
To put it simply, yes – most conventional mothballs are made using toxic chemical compounds. Technically speaking a pesticide, older mothballs use a highly toxic compound called naphthalene, a chemical which causes hemolytic anaemia in humans.
While newer versions tend to use paradichlorobenzene (or PDB for short), a compound which is generally considered to be less toxic than naphthalene, it is still potentially a human carcinogen. As a result, it’s best to steer clear of both old and new conventional mothballs containing either of these chemicals.
Alternative solutions
Luckily, there are a range of much safer alternatives to help rid your home of its moth infestation.
Pheromone-based traps
One effective solution is to use traps from providers such as Moth Prevention. By attracting male moths to sticky traps using moth pheromones, these devices prevent moths from mating, thereby eradicating or at least substantially reducing the number of larvae in your home.
Lavender & essential oils
You can also use certain more natural ingredients to help prevent moths from destroying your natural fibres. The most common solution is to use lavender, either little bags containing actual lavender sprigs or drops of essential oil. There are also a number of other oils and woods that moths don’t like, which can be more or less effective depending on the context.
Vacuum sealed bags
If you have certain items that are either particularly vulnerable or really special to you, then it could be worth sealing them in vacuum bags. By placing these bags in the freezer for a relatively long period of time, you can ensure that no moths can get in contact with your vulnerable items, and that any moths inside the bags are exterminated.
Natural mothballs
There are of course also a lot of ‘natural’ mothballs that don’t contain toxic compounds, you just need to be diligent during your research. Always read the label thoroughly before picking a specific option, being sure to look up any ingredients that you’re not familiar with.
Getting rid of moths can seem like a Herculean task, but it needn’t be too difficult. By adopting a proactive strategy and sticking with your chosen method of prevention, you can help to ensure that your home remains moth-free over the years to come.
Don’t be afraid to try new solutions if old ones don’t work, but also try to avoid using just a single approach. You’ll need to mix and match your tactics to get it just right.