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moth balls toxic?`

yellermelon May 26, 2004 10:02 PM

i got moths in my freakin birdseed for my uros. i got rid of the seed but not the moths if i put moth balls in room will it be toxic to my uros?

Replies (3)

jeune18 May 27, 2004 12:22 AM

this is from howstuffworks.com. it tells a little about the moth balls and how they work. i would not want moth balls near any living thing, but that is just me. i hope this helps.

Clothes moths can be a real problem in clothes made from natural fibers (especially wool). 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.
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vonnie
***One of the advantages of being disorderly is that one is constantly making exciting discoveries. - A. A. Milne***

Flavia Guimaraes May 27, 2004 04:11 AM

When we moved from Brazil to Malaysia the company that packed our things spread black pepper in powder all over our carpets to prevent the moths from eating them.They said black pepper kills moths without the bad smell moth balls have.

PHEve May 27, 2004 07:16 AM

Also the ones in your house,will kick the bucket soon enough, They dont last long. And if ya see one swat it! Alot safer !

To insure that does not happen again with the SEEDs You can freeze them for awhile, I think a few hours.

** It kills the moth eggs in the box or bag of seeds. **

Then take out and they should be fine. Store in a plastic container or bin with a good lid.

It is a common thing that they hatch from seed. We learned that freezing trick while we stored seeds for parrots and other birds.

I would also not use the MOTH BALLS , Gosh they KILL ME ! :0(
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Eve

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