tELL ME eVERYTHING YOU KNOW ABOUT MOTH BALLS...............................................................?

Answer 1

There are two different types of moth balls used to combat the moths. In one type, the main ingredient is naphthalene, and in the other it is paradichlorobenzene.

The idea with both chemicals is to kill moths and moth larvae with the fumes. Both naphthalene and paradichlorobenzene sublimate, meaning they transition from a solid straight to a gas. The gas is toxic to the moths.

For either of these chemicals to be effective, they need to be placed with the clothing in a sealed container so the fumes can build up and kill the moths. In a sealed atmosphere like this, the fumes are not harmful to people because they are contained. The main threat would occur when opening the containers, or from wearing clothes immediately after opening (especially a problem for infants). A solution is to open the containers outside and let the clothes hang and air out for a day before wearing.

We all seem to have an aunt whose entire house smells like moth balls, and we have all walked in to public restrooms where the smell of paradichlorobenzene is nearly overpowering. Are these fumes healthy? The answer is "probably not." If you read the chemical descriptions in the links, you will find that neither of these chemicals is particularly good for people to breathe on a regular basis. Airing out clothes is a way to limit exposure.

A less toxic alternative is cedar blocks, shavings or oil. The blocks are expensive, but cedar shavings in the form of hamster bedding can be very inexpensive. Again, the container needs to be closed in order for the cedar scent to have a real effect on moths.

Answer 2

There are two different formulations for mothballs. One is NAPHTHLALENE and the other is PARADICHLOROBENZENE. Both are potentially very toxic. The naphthalene type is more toxic. Both vaporize to produce fumes which can cause toxic effects on the central nervous system (possible seizures) and the liver. Naphthalene can also cause blood disorders (eg hemolytic anemia).

For most mammals moth balls are:
Harmful by inhalation
Harmful if swallowed
Harmful if contacted with skin
Irritating to eyes
Irritating to respiratory system
Irritating to skin
May cause sensitization to skin contact
Carcinogen (causes cancer)

Mothballs are used for pesticide, deodorant, and antiseptic purposes. You could find the same stuff in toilet bowl and diaper pail deodorizers. In the past, it was mainly used as a moth and mildew killer when things were put into storage.

Now people use them to repel animals and rodents, remove pet urine odors in carpets, treat fleas on dogs, and I have even heard of plumbers flushing boxes of them down sewers to prevent tree roots.

You can buy two boxes of mothballs on E-Bay for $5.00.

Oh, and by the way, apparently there is a really hot band out name "Mothballs".

Answer 3

They are NOT really made from the balls of a moth.

Answer 4

Well there good for keeping moths away, while leaving an odor on clothing or wherever they're placed.

Now, I have tried a mothball casserole. Tasty treat. It's made with sour dough crust and bubbly cheesy base. Sprinkled with oregano for taste. And baked to a crusty toping. Sound so good.

Answer 5

Mothballs are small balls of chemical pesticide and deodorant used when storing clothing and other articles susceptible to damage from mold or moth larvae. Older mothballs consisted primarily of naphthalene, but due to naphthalene's flammability, modern mothballs use 1,4-dichlorobenzene instead. Both of these ingredients have a strong, pungent odor often associated strongly with mothballs.

Their use when clothing is stored out-of-season gave rise to the colloquial use of the terms mothballed and put into mothballs to refer to anything which is put into storage or whose operation is suspended. The use of the word in this sense derives from naval usage. When warships were laid up, the open ends of their gun barrels and other openings were covered in white material to prevent the entry of water. These white circles suggested mothballs.

Answer 6

I tried to smell them once but could not get my head between the little moths legs

Answer 7

those little balls of what look like cotton my grandmother put in her closets to keep her blankets and clothes from getting eaten. Also a term used when I was in the miltary for when a ship is decommisioned and sealed up for possible future use. The "mothball" fleet was in Philadelphia Naval Shipyard the last I heard.

Answer 8

Moth balls are health hazard.

Answer 9

Tell you everything you know about moth balls? It is like telling someone why is the sea blue-like..... Asked a new question will you please.

Answer 10

They are small, round, white and smell like hell for the moth!