Mothballs kill cockroaches by being toxic to them. While the exact chemical take-down isn’t conclusively known, we do know that it leads to suffocation if the mothball is ingested or oil gets into the insect’s body cavities, making it potentially lethal. The toxicity of mothballs can be majorly diluted if multiple cockroaches are along for the ride and their bodies all soak up the chemical from one mothball. Mothballs are known as one of the best DIY solutions for cockroaches. Did you know that some mothballs spray is so lethal it can wipe out an entire warehouse infestation? You might be interested to know that while mothballs do kill cockroaches, they don’t always do it instantly. There are a few circumstances where using mothballs alone won’t get you rid of cockroaches. Mothballs can be an effective treatment to deter and kill cockroaches. They are toxic to man, pets and children and therefore, users should wear rubber gloves when applying the mothballs. Mothballs should not be placed in areas where the fumes will be inhaled or where they might come into contact with the mouth or nose. Mothballs have been used for killing insects for more than a century. It can kill a variety of bugs like ants, bees, fleas, flies, millipedes and roaches. The main ingredient in killing the insects is naphthalene which is contained in the moth balls. The widespread use of naphthalene to kill cockroaches is not only considered safe for family members but also very effective to control their population. The best thing about this chemical compound is that it is environment friendly and makes fewer hazards as compared to some other insecticides.

Do Mothballs Kill Cockroaches

Introduction

Mothballs are toxic substances you place in your closet among your clothes to keep away moths. Cockroaches can get into your clothes and therefore can also come into contact with mothballs. We will discuss in this article how mothballs kill cockroaches, why using mothballs to get rid of cockroaches is generally a bad idea, and what alternatives there are for getting rid of cockroaches in your home or business.

Mothballs will kill cockroaches when they eat the mothballs.

Mothballs are toxic to cockroaches. They contain naphthalene, which is commonly used in pesticides.

Mothballs will also kill humans if you eat them, and they can be harmful to pets. Exposure to naphthalene can cause nausea, vomiting, headaches and dizziness. Long-term exposure is linked to increased risk of cancer (particularly brain tumors). Mothballs aren’t safe for the environment either—they’re considered toxic waste by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Mothballs are not a good, safe way to get rid of cockroaches.

Mothballs are not a good, safe way to get rid of cockroaches.

Mothballs contain naphthalene and paradichlorobenzene. These chemicals can be toxic to pets and humans. If your pet eats mothballs, it may become sick or die. If you are accidentally exposed to too many mothballs, you may experience skin irritation or chemical burns on your skin or in your throat, mouth and nose. Inhaling too much naphthalene can cause nausea, vomiting or dizziness; long-term exposure can lead to liver damage and cancer (source).

A word of caution: While these chemicals do affect cockroaches by irritating their respiratory systems and killing them over time, they will not eliminate an infestation of cockroaches quickly enough for most people’s tastes (or for those with allergies).

Mothballs can be dangerous for children and pets

Mothballs can be dangerous for children and pets.

Children, especially those under the age of 5, should not be in contact with mothballs at all. If they are, they need to be kept away from their faces and mouths. Mothballs can cause them to get very sick or even die if swallowed by a child.

Pets like dogs and cats also shouldn’t come into contact with mothballs because they will likely lick or try to eat them as they normally do with food items in the house. This is dangerous as well because it can result in illness or death from internal organ damage caused by the chemicals contained within the mothball. Pets have died from eating mothballs before!

Inhaling mothball fumes can also be dangerous.

Mothball fumes can also be dangerous to humans. Exposure to mothball fumes can cause nausea, dizziness and headaches as well as asthma attacks. Long-term exposure to mothballs may lead to liver or kidney damage, cancer and even brain damage.

We suggest using a safer method to kill cockroaches, such as an insecticidal spray or powder.

Cockroaches are attracted to the smell of mothballs, and will eat them. Unfortunately, there is a very high risk that cockroaches will consume enough of the chemicals in mothballs to cause poisoning and death. For this reason we highly recommend seeking out alternative methods for eliminating cockroaches from your home or business.

Mothballs are not safe for people or pets, so if you have children or pets in the house it’s best not to use them at all! If you do decide to use them anyway, make sure that you store them away from children and pets; also keep an eye on toddlers who may try eating the mothballs directly from their container (or worse yet—chewing on their clothes).

Mothballs kills cockroaches but isn’t safe for pets or people.

Mothballs are a great way to kill cockroaches, but they’re not the most humane method. Mothballs can be very dangerous for children and pets if they come into contact with them. In fact, mothballs are highly toxic and should never be ingested by humans or animals. Mothballs should only be used as a last resort on an infestation of cockroaches that is difficult to control any other way. The fumes from mothballs when inhaled can cause vomiting and diarrhea in people and animals alike, so it’s important to use them sparingly where children or pets might go

Conclusion

Mothballs are not a good idea as they’re toxic to humans and pets, as well as cockroaches. If you have an infestation of cockroaches, we suggest contacting a pest control professional right away.