Mothball odour is a terrible smell to have clinging to your clothing. To get rid of the smell, you should first get rid of the old mothballs. Are Moths Attracted to Light and UV Light? Since they contain toxic chemicals, you should never leave them lying around. If you wish to discuss a pesticide problem, please call 1-800-858-7378. Napthalene Odor Hazard FAQs Mothball types, odors, chemistry I went in this am and dang near killed my self, (not really but pretty dang close). A bowl of vinegar or activated charcoal (available at most pet stores) will slowly absorb the odor safely. Getting Rid of the Mothball Smell To make one such repellent, combine lavender blossoms, whole cloves, and a couple of handfuls of cedar chips, then place the mixture in cheesecloth or another breathable material, and tie it at the ends. Certain bugs will Hi, I'm Mike, I have spent many years in the pest industry and wanted to share my experience and education with the world so if they desired so they could accomplish DIY Pest Control and do it with a confidence that it will work and that it is done correctly. Well have to hire someone to vacuum up any left-over mothballs. I will check your site out again before jumping too far into home projects. If you click a link in my articles or recommended products page and make a purchase, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. How to Get Rid of a Mothball Smell - MothPrevention The fumes from naphthalene moth balls can last for several months, while the fumes from paradichlorobenzene moth balls can last for up to a year.. The amount used in that purpose is quite low and shouldnt be harmful unless someone has a severe sensitivity to the chemical. You can add some essential oil diffusers or air fresheners to a room or spray some onto your clothing. Store all chemicals safely out of the reach of children and with their safety . The odor can be particularly stubborn in rooms or closets where mothballed clothes have been stored. Obviously, you cant go to work or out to run errands smelling like a musty attic. I have a gap under my kitchen sink, we dropped some in there quite a few I must say. How Long Do Mothballs Last? Your email address will not be published. Many people have the same questions about ridding their home of mothball smell once and for all. What do mothballs smell like? My mom would usually put the mothballs in the closets and the shelves to get rid of harmful bugs. Keep in mind that just because you can smell moth balls, it doesnt mean its automatically harmful. Just one small caveat: Make sure you have removed the mothballs from the clothing before you start working to remove the odor. It is against federal law to use a pesticide in any manner that is not consistent with its labeling. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Mothballs usually last around six months before they need to be replaced. All rights reserved. Naphthalene may also cause haemolytic anaemia and is a possible carcinogen. For starters, you can use a good odor absorbent such as baking soda, activated charcoal, or white vinegar.