Having a flea problem or infestation can be very uncomfortable and will require adopting effective control strategies to take back control.
One of the strategies which have proven to be quite popular involves the use of mothballs.
So, the question is; can mothballs kill fleas?
Using Mothball For Fleas
This is a valid question as anyone seeking to get rid of these pests is likely to ask the same question when presented with this flea control method.
SEE: Fleas And Neem Oil
In this article, we’re presenting you with reliable answers as well as showing you how to use them.
We’ll also be discussing what mothballs are and if they pose any health risks to humans or pets. By the end, you should have a much better idea about whether it’s worth it to consider the mothballs option for flea extermination or not.
What Are Mothballs?
When it comes to flea control, you might have heard the name “mothballs” being bandied about without having a clear idea of what it’s all about. Mothballs constitute about 100% of their active ingredients which could either be paradichlorobenzene or naphthalene.
These mostly white rounded solids are insecticides that are used in a variety of pest situations. So, how do such solids repel or exterminate pests? Once mothballs are applied, they gradually turn from their solid-state to toxic vapor.
So, are these toxic vapors harmful to animals and humans? More on these will be discussed shortly.
Will Mothballs Control Fleas?
In order not to keep you in suspense, mothballs do kill fleas.
These solid insecticides are very effective in exterminating fleas. This will be good news to readers who prefer mothballs over other insecticides for flea control.
The best part about using mothballs for flea control is that they also destroy flea eggs. There are more claims for this than those refuting its efficacy for flea extermination.
What more? Apart from being used to exterminate fleas and fabric pests, mothballs are also effective on other pests too.
Such pests include roaches and spiders.
Mothballs are also known to repel mice, snakes, moles, skunks, deer, rats, and several other unwanted pests but are less effective on spiders, raccoons, and squirrels.
This is great because while exterminating fleas with mothballs, you also get the added advantage of containing other pest issues.
Risks Of Using Mothballs For Flea Control
While mothballs will readily kill fleas around your home, they also pose significant health risks to users.
The fumes given off by mothballs can be absorbed through human skin. Plus, you’ll always inhale this insecticide as long as it’s present in your home which is quite risky.
What more? Mothballs can be easily mistaken for candy by kids; a situation that increases the chances of ingestion.
This is something you want to guard against. Naphthalene, which is an active ingredient present in mothballs, may cause several adverse health conditions.
Apart from skin irritation, you’re likely to experience nausea, confusion, cataracts, optical atrophy, hemolytic anemia, vomiting, jaundice, and listlessness among several conditions attached to its usage.
This calls for extreme caution if you must use mothballs for flea extermination.
Asides from naphthalene, mothballs containing paradichlorobenzene (another active ingredient) are risky. These are harmful to both kids and adults.
This insecticide gets slowly distributed in breast milk, blood, and fat.
Common symptoms arising from such distribution include burning sensation on the skin, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, headaches, and fatigue.
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In Light of these Health Risks, Is It Still Worth It?
Critical decisions will have to be made when it comes to the dangers you’re exposed to with mothball use.
Remember, your safety comes first in order of priority over the need to kill or exterminate fleas. Plus, there are a whole lot of flea extermination options that are a lot safer than, and as effective as mothballs.
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If you Must Use Mothballs
It’s important to say that a lot of people have successfully used mothballs for flea extermination without experiencing any of the health hazards listed above. This is possible because mothball usage only increases the chances of exposure to such health risks.
So, if you must use mothballs to kill fleas, then it should be done properly. In other words, adequate safety measures must be taken when applying mothballs to your flea problems.
Exposure to harmful chemicals isn’t advisable.
With kids around, using mothballs to kill fleas becomes riskier. Recall we earlier pointed out the likelihood of mothballs being mistaken for candies.
Now, kids can easily ingest these insecticide balls which can result in health complications or poisoning.
Therefore, consider keeping mothballs out of the reach of kids if you must use them.
Additionally, mothballs will be best applied when the family is on vacation. When going on a vacation, you can apply as much as required. It gets rid of fleas without posing any health risks to your family.
However, upon your return, it’s necessary to remove them and thoroughly aerate your home. Opening up your windows and doors isn’t enough. The use of fans may be necessary to get rid of mothball fumes.
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Seeking Medical Attention
In a situation where mothballs are ingested or swallowed by kids, immediate medical attention should be sought.
Additionally, it’s necessary to do the same when adverse effects resulting from mothball usage arise. Immediately discontinue its use to avoid further complications.
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Avoid Long-Term Exposure
Long-term exposure to mothballs is highly risky because their fumes are carcinogenic. As such, a constant and gradual buildup of this insecticide fume in your system may eventually result in nasal cancer.
Other serious health complications may follow.
Safer Alternatives To Use
Without a doubt, mothballs will help exterminate or get rid of all flea problems. However, this comes at a steep cost to you as it involves your health. Due to this situation, the use of mothballs for flea control isn’t worth the stress.
Consider using other alternatives especially natural flea control methods which are a lot safer.
This article started with a question that has been fully answered. Although mothballs kill fleas, they present significant health risks that make them unsuitable.
You want to protect your life as well as those of your kids and pets.
