What Are Mothballs Made Of

Mothballs[1] are small balls of chemical pesticide and deodorant, sometimes used when storing clothing and other materials susceptible to damage from silverfish, mold or moth larvae (especially clothes moths like Tineola bisselliella). Who should be called if someone comes in contact with mothballs or other pesticides? If someone comes into contact with mothballs or other pesticides, call the Louisiana Poison Center at (800) 222-1222. Where can childcare centers get tips for getting rid of pests? (LSU Ag Center) agent in your area.

They can provide tips for getting rid To combat these pests, mothballs are small, solid chemical products used to repel clothes moths and protect clothing from damage. There are two different types of moth balls used to ward off moths.

In one type, the main ingredient is naphthalene, and in the other it is paradichlorobenzene. Mothballs are a solid form of pesticide used to protect stored clothing and materials from damage caused by clothes moths and their larvae. They contain volatile organic compounds that slowly release a strong, pungent odor.

Mothballs are small balls of compressed chemical pesticide, made primarily from one of two industrial chemicals: naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene. Both are derived from petroleum and coal tar processing, not from any natural moth source. Mothballs are widely recognized as an inexpensive pest control method, used effectively over generations for household purposes.

Primarily made from naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene, these small, spherical objects work to repel and kill moths and other insects. The composition of a mothball centers around one of two organic compounds: Naphthalene or 1,4-Dichlorobenzene, also known as Paradichlorobenzene (PDCB). Naphthalene is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, which is synthesized from petroleum or derived from coal tar during the steel production process.

Mothballs in the U.S. contain very high concentrations of the chemical 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. Mothballs are a common household item used to repel moths and other insects from clothing and textiles. They're often made from a combination of naphthalene and paradichlorobenzene.

Camphor was historically used to make mothballs, but modern mothballs are made from naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene. In all cases, these chemicals emit a very distinctive strong odor as they sublimate from a solid to a gaseous state.