They have a very strong odor that smells like camphor. HOW ARE MOTHBALLS INTENDED TO BE USED? The fumes from mothballs kill clothes moths, their eggs and larvae that eat natural fibers in indoor storage areas, such as closets, attics and basements.
Tar/creosote, tobacco, cat box, other things can be reminiscent of mothballs. There's nothing in HVACland that smells like mothballs so you'll need either to find the source and get rid of it or try to mask it and ride it till it dissipates.
Specifically the chemical that causes the mothball smell is naphthalene. Naphthalene also is present in tobacco smoke, and even in the air in highly polluted cities. Companies that produce products such as ink, dye, coal and tar, preserve wood, or tan leathers also use naphthalene.
Using mothballs in a way not specified by the label is not only illegal, but can harm people, pets or the environment. Some mothballs for sale may be illegal, which means they were imported without oversight of the product contents or labeling. Because they have not been evaluated, the risks they pose are unknown.
Musty smell – If your wardrobe or drawers have a musty smell you might have moths.
Ventilation and Sunlight: Proper ventilation and exposure to sunlight can naturally help dissipate the odor. Open windows and allow sunlight to penetrate your living spaces. Natural Deodorizers: Utilize natural deodorizers such as vinegar, lemon juice, or coffee grounds.
The chemicals in mothballs are toxic to humans and pets. People are exposed to the chemicals in mothballs by inhaling the fumes. If you smell mothballs, you are being exposed to these chemicals. Children or pets sometimes mistake mothballs for food or candy and eat them, which can cause serious effects.
4. Mothballs sometimes are used illegally to repel pests not listed on labels. Some of these “off-label pests” include: squirrels, skunks, deer, mice, rats, and snakes, among others animals. Use mothballs pesticide products to control the pests listed on the label only!
Green lacewings can be very numerous under the right conditions, and have a very distinctive, fluttering, swooping flight. They have a number of defenses, among them a chemical stench both adults and larvae emit from special glands.
Despite popular belief, mothballs are not an effective solution for deterring mice. While these pesticide products contain strong smelling substances like naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene, their efficacy against rodents is minimal at best.
If you smell an odor of stale, old moth balls or mildew, chances are that you have mold living somewhere in your building. Mold produces gasses that are odorless, but some types of mold have a distinct smell. If you aren't able to see the bacteria, you shouldn't ignore the scent.
Poor Oral Hygiene
Mothball breath may be caused by bacteria in the mouth. These sulphur-producing bacteria thrive on food particles and sloughed mouth cells. As they digest these food items they produce volatile sulphur compounds (VSCs) which can smell like mothballs.
Simply store the mothballs in a plastic box until a hazardous waste service provider can collect them through drop-off centers or collection events.
Biology. One study suggested that old person smell may be the result of 2-nonenal, an unsaturated aldehyde which is associated with human body odor alterations during aging.
The strong scent of peppermint is overwhelming to mice. Similarly, essential oils such as eucalyptus oil, bergamot oil, clove oil, and cinnamon oil are potent in keeping mice at bay. One study noted that eucalyptus oil applied once a day was more effective as a rat repellant than once a week.
Wash with Vinegar.
Run the machine, letting the clothing and shoes soak in the vinegar-water solution. Afterwards, wash the clothes with your regular detergent and fabric softener. Either air out the clothing or toss them in the dryer to finish up. The mothball smell should be gone.
Mothballs are somewhat effective at repelling rats, mice, squirrels, bats, snakes, or other wildlife in outdoor areas. However, mothballs may contaminate soil and water and their use as animal repellants is not appropriate and can be illegal.
Cats are irrepressible explorers, and likely to come in contact with anything you leave within their reach. They may bat the mothballs around like a toy; lick them out of curiosity; lie down on them and then lick themselves; and step in crumbled mothball particles and then lick their paws.
Mothballs are commonly thought to repel snakes, but they are not intended to be used this way and have little effect on snakes.
Mothballs contain a high concentration of insect repellent. Poisoning most commonly occurs when dogs ingest mothballs. Cats are more sensitive to their harmful effects, but dogs are more likely to ingest mothballs due to their curious nature. Long-term exposure to mothball fumes can harm pets and people.
Love: Moths can symbolize unconditional love and trust. In England, if white moths visit a "spinster," she is said to find true love. In some cultures, such as Chinese and Celtic cultures, moths are believed to carry messages from loved ones.
Lavender — Lavender is a widely-loved moth repellent for good reason. Its floral scent is delightful to humans but repulsive to moths. Our 'Protect Me' Scent Bags can be placed in closets and drawers to protect your garments. Plus, they impart a lovely fragrance to all surrounding clothes.