Alternatives to Toxic Mothball

Mothballs seem harmless enough but in reality are pretty darn toxic. Naphthalene, the main pesticide in mothballs can cause adverse effects on the structural integrity of the red blood cell membrane, body weight gain, chronic inflammation of the lungs, liver changes, and more following exposure. In fact the back of a box of mothballs will note that you should be extremely careful – avoid skin contact and avoiding any vapors from said mothballs in your living area.

Now, why would you have these in your home; around clothes and other textiles you use? Good question? To avoid musty clothes and pests is what most people would say, however there are other options.

• Lavender sachets and sprigs of lavender will keep clothes fresh but won’t get rid of all buggies. Also, cedar wood blocks or shavings will help keep clothes fresh and help scare off pests but without the toxins. However, cedar alone also won’t scare off all pests, although, if you have a super tight seal on a cedar chest that will keep pests away. If you use cedar or lavender to freshen your closets or drawers, also make the sachet below.
• Make a homemade sachet of dried rosemary, dried lavender, dried mint, dried thyme, whole cloves, and dried ginseng. Place your mixture into a small reusable cotton baggie or wrap in a cheesecloth. Place the bags in places you want to keep fresh and pest free.
• Place clean clothing into an airtight bin which will get rid of all bug issues.

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