Do you know that kitchens are reasonable breeding grounds for moths?
They lay eggs directly on food items stored in cabinets or pantries, posing a significant health hazard to the household.
According to research, moths, though small, can lay up to 400 eggs at once. The eggs take only a week to hatch and about 15-20 days for the moths to become adults.
Source: maggiesfarmproducts.com
So, if you have a moth infestation in your kitchen, act fast before they multiply and spread.
Here is where moth ball comes into the picture.
Mothballs are the best when dealing with stubborn pests in kitchen cabinets. Besides moths, they are excellent in deterring rats, mice, cockroaches, ants, spiders, and flies.
Caution: Mothballs can be toxic to humans and pets when mishandled.
So, how safely can you use moth balls in the kitchen? Read on to find out!
JUMP TO: Why Use Mothballs | Steps Using MothBalls | Benefits of Using Mothballs | Where you can Put Mothballs | Pros & Cons of Mothballs
Why Use Mothballs in the kitchen?
Mothballs are mainly used to repel moths from clothes, blankets, and other fabrics. However, many people don’t know that you can also use them in the kitchen.
You may ask, why use mothballs in the kitchen?
Here is the reason:
To keep moths away from food.
Moths thrive in warm, dark places such as pantries and kitchen cabinets/ cupboards.
Pantry moths are awful.
According to the National Pesticide Information Center, pantry moths can attack a variety of foods, including dried foods, grains, cereals, nuts, flour, candies, and spices.
These moths breed and multiply super-fast. If you fail to take action, your entire kitchen will be moth-infested in no time.
One way to deal with moths in the kitchen is by putting mothballs.
Moths hate the smell of moth balls!
Steps to Use Mothballs in the Kitchen
When mothballs come into contact with food, they can poison it and render it inedible.
Does that mean I shouldn’t use mothballs anywhere near the kitchen?
Not at all!
But, you will need to be extra cautious when using mothballs in the kitchen.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how you can eradicate moths from your kitchen safely:
Clean Your Kitchen and Cabinets
Source: freepik.com
Before you start cleaning, remove all the foodstuffs in the cabinets and pantry.
Discard any uncovered food and anything else that appears to have been touched by the moths.
Now, take your time and thoroughly clean every inch of the cabinets. You can follow these steps:
- Start by washing with soapy, warm water
- Then, use a bleach solution to disinfect the surfaces, including the corners, sides, and edges.
Important note: If you have a vacuum with a crevice attachment, use it to clean out the corners of your cabinets.
After cleaning the cabinets, ensure that you also clean all the food containers that were in there.
Tip: To effectively wash the food boxes and plastic containers, you will need to empty all the food first. Consider putting the food in a freezer for a week so that any moth eggs or larvae present can die.
Place the Moth Traps
Source: medium.com
Once everything is clean, you can now place the moth traps.
This process is super-easy. Most traps come with an adhesion that allows them to stick effortlessly to the inside of cabinet walls.
Be sure to read the instructions of use on the packaging and also the suggested replacement date.
What I love most about these pest control is that they not only help to eradicate moths but also keep them from returning.
As such, they are the best option, especially if your kitchen is prone to moth infestation.
Always keep a trap or two in your cabinets or pantry and say goodbye to moths forever.
Caution: When purchasing moth traps, look for those labeled ‘food moths only.’ If you buy traps meant for clothes, they won’t be of any use in your kitchen.
Choose New Food Containers
After a moth infestation; you will need to re-think the type of food containers you use.
To be on the safe side, consider purchasing moth-prof airtight containers. These include
- Glass containers with air-tight lids
- Sturdy plastic containers with air-tight lids.
Caution: Pantry moth larvae can chew Ziploc bags and soft plastics in search of food. So, avoiding using them when storing food in the cabinet or pantry would be good.
Other Ways of Using Mothballs in the Kitchen
Mothballs have a variety of uses in the kitchen. These include:
As a Repulsive
Source: adiyastreasures.com.
One widespread use of mothballs in kitchens is to repel moths and pests.
Place a few mothballs in a bread bag and hang them by the door handle or in the cabinets.
Their smell will drive the pests away.
To Keep Mice Out of the Kitchen.
If your kitchen is mice-infested, consider using mothballs.
These rodents hate the strong smell of mothballs. As a result, they will keep off any area with that smell.
You can use these three ways to keep rodents at bay in your kitchen:
- Place some mothballs near the cooking area to deter mice from coming close to your food.
- Put a few pieces of mothballs in a spice container that you no longer use. Then, place it near the stove.
- Place some mothballs under the cabinets, stoves, oven, or behind appliances such as dishwashers.
To Control Cockroaches
Source: familyhandyman.com
Cockroaches are sensitive to strong chemical odors. They can detect the smell of mothballs from afar and keep off.
The best place to keep your mothballs for cockroach control is alongside the cabinets’ baseboards.
Besides cockroaches, mothballs are effective in killing spiders, silverfish, and other insects that may invade your kitchen.
To Remove Smells from the Kitchen.
Spilled grease or cooking splatter sitting around your kitchen for too long can have an unpleasant odor.
Placing mothballs near the spills can help mask the lousy smell quickly.
If you are going on a vacation, remember to leave some mothballs in the kitchen. This way, you won’t return to a stinking home.
To Control Ants
Ants are common in most kitchens. What attracts them most is sugar and grease spills on countertops.
Put a few mothballs under a dish and keep them near the counters. The ants will disappear.
Source: aercmn.com
Where to Place Mothballs in the Kitchen
The best places to keep moth balls in the kitchen are:
- Under the sink
- Behind the dishwasher and other appliances
- In a plastic/ nylon bag and hang them by the door handle.
However, ensure that they are at least three feet from the ground. This way, children and pets will not access them.
Caution: Do not place mothballs in cabinets where you store foodstuffs. The food will pick up the bad smell of the mothballs or get contaminated.
Are Mothballs Safe for Use in the Kitchen?
No, mothballs are not safe for use in food preparation or storage areas, kitchens, and pantries.
According to the Department of Health and Hospitals, mothballs contain naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene. These chemicals are toxic to humans and pets.
Although mothball fumes are effective in keeping moths away, they are toxic when inhaled by humans.
Moreover, they have an awful smell and will cause your cabinets, pantry, and entire kitchen to smell.
I looked at customer reviews on YouTube, and some users claimed that it took 2 years for the smell to end. Others complained that the smell also repelled them too from the kitchen.
When food comes into contact with mothballs, it becomes poisonous and unsafe to consume.
Some of the short-term health effects of mothballs include
- Nausea
- Headache
- Coughing
- Eye and nose irritation.
Prolonged exposure to mothballs can result in
- Hemolytic anemia
- Liver and kidney damage
So, how then can you use mothballs safely in the kitchen?
- Only use mothballs as directed by the manufacturer on the label regarding placement.
- Keep your kitchen well-ventilated at all times.
- Do not place too many mothballs in the kitchen. The smell can make you sick.
Pros and Cons of Using Mothballs in the Kitchen
Pros | Cons |
They help to keep moths away from food storage areas | Mothballs are toxic when inhaled or ingested. |
They keep cockroaches, ants, spiders, silverfish, repel rats, mice, and other rodents and flies away. They are snake repellents as well. | When they come into contact with food, they contaminate it. |
They don’t create a mess when placed on the surface. | They have a strong smell. |