Moth balls how many to use

Moth balls contain chemicals that give off fumes and should be handled carefully, so work in a well-ventilated area and wear rubber gloves. Moth larvae feed on natural materials like hair, pet dander — and your woollen garments! So how can you use moth balls to prevent your clothes being riddled with holes? Moth balls are actually small round discs of solid chemical pesticide, usually made of naphthalene or para-dichlorobenzene.

Moth balls use the gas which evaporates from the chemicals they contain to kill off moths and moth larvae. What topics would you like to read about? Place your clothes in an airtight container, such as plastic laundry bags, plastic storage boxes or trunks, not straight into your closet or drawers. This helps the moth balls work efficiently, and prevents any fumes from getting into the rest of your home.

There is no need to use moth balls to care for synthetic garments , as moth larvae generally only feed on natural fibres. No account yet? Create an account. Edit this Article. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Cookie Settings. Learn why people trust wikiHow. Download Article Explore this Article parts. Tips and Warnings. Related Articles.

Article Summary. Part 1. Pack your clothing into a resealable container. Mothballs must only be used in enclosed, airtight containers. Choose plastic containers and garment bags you can close up and store in the closet or under the bed. Lay the clothes inside the container. Moths eat animal products such as wool, leather, and felt. They will chew through synthetic fibers to get to animal stains like sweat. Place the mothballs inside the container.

Read the directions on the box to find out how much of the product you need. To be an effective deterrent against clothes moths, you need to use enough mothballs.

Simply lay the mothballs on or around the clothing. Seal the container. Close up the container. Make sure no air can escape. Once this is done, store the container in a safe spot, such as under the bed or in the closet. Over time, the mothballs will dissolve. Wash stored clothing with vinegar before wearing it.

The clothing will have a strong mothball smell, so clean it first. Soak the items in equal parts water and vinegar or add a cup mL of vinegar to the wash cycle. Place the water and vinegar combination in a spray bottle for use on clothing that can't be put in a washer and dryer. Do not machine dry the clothing until the smell is gone or else it will linger permanently. Clean out the containers with vinegar. Vinegar is also useful for getting rid of the odor in the containers.

Mix an equal amount of water and vinegar inside the container. Let it soak for a couple of minutes, then rinse out the container with warm water. Do this before storing the container or using it again.

Vinegar can also help you clean closets or other areas that smell like mothballs. Part 2. Clean clothing regularly. A proper cleaning after usage removes stains that the moths seek. Wash all clothing, including your synthetics. Empty the pockets of lint. Mothballs used outdoors can also contaminate soil, plants and water. The information below contains additional resources for the proper use of mothballs and some alternative methods of controlling clothes moths.

If you have questions about this, or any pesticide-related topic, please call NPIC at am - pm PST , or email at npic ace. Return to Mothball Main Page. NPIC provides objective, science-based information about pesticides and pesticide-related topics to enable people to make informed decisions.

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