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You are here: NPIC Home Page Pesticide Ingredients Pesticide Products Pesticide Types Mothballs

Mothballs

(Naphthalene and Paradichlorobenzene)

Mothballs, moth flakes, crystals and bars are insecticides. They come in a solid form that slowly gives off a toxic gas that kills moths and other insects. Mothballs in the U.S. contain very high concentrations of either naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene as active ingredients. They are meant to be used in closed, airtight containers so that the fumes they produce are trapped. The trapped fumes build up and kill any clothes moths inside. If mothballs are used out in the open, they can harm people, pets, or wildlife that may touch or eat the mothballs, or breathe their vapors.

• Mothballs - Regulation, Proper Uses and Alternatives
• Health Effects of Mothballs
• Chemical Properties and Environmental Fate of Mothballs

If you have questions about this, or any pesticide-related topic, please call NPIC at 1-800-858-7378 (8:00am - 12:00pm PST), or email at npic@ace.orst.edu.

Related Topics:

What are pests?

What are pesticides?

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NPIC provides objective, science-based information about pesticides and pesticide-related topics to enable people to make informed decisions. NPIC is a cooperative agreement between Oregon State University and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (cooperative agreement #X8-83560101). The information in this publication does not in any way replace or supersede the restrictions, precautions, directions, or other information on the pesticide label or any other regulatory requirements, nor does it necessarily reflect the position of the U.S. EPA.