How To Use Mothballs In The Kitchen? [A Step-By-Step Guide]

Mothballs are effective materials to keep moths and other pests away from the regular households. The most exciting thing is that you can also use these things in the cooking yard. Therefore, knowing how to use mothballs in the kitchen is crucial for keeping the kitchen safe.

People use mothballs in the kitchen to protect food and cooking materials from bacteria, insects, and other germs. Naphthalene is the chemical that helps in this regard. However, just follow some easy steps to apply these materials in the cooking spaces of the house.

Here, I have shared all my experiences regarding the actions of using the naphthalene materials in my kitchen. So, read this one carefully and find the best possible ways.

6 Steps To Use Mothballs In The Kitchen: An Easy Approach

Mothballs are very easy to set in the kitchen. Follow a few steps to use these chemical balls in the area. Here, find the best ways to put the naphthalene balls as a step-by-step guideline. Follow them accurately.

Step-1: Get Enough Mothballs

Mothballs are available in many different sizes, shapes, and colors. Some have different textures too. Get them from any local grocery store or pharmacy near the home or office. They are not very expensive either, so do not worry about their cost. 

The most common size is 2 inches wide and 2 inches thick. But in the case of a large cooking yard, try to find something more prominent. Just ensure they are not too small or too big for the required purpose. Buy them in bulk to apply them throughout the year without any problem.

Step-2: Prepare The Kitchen

Ensure all things are ready before placing mothballs in the kitchen area. First, wash all kinds of surfaces in the kitchen like walls, flooring, tables, chairs, etc., using soap water solution. Clean the kitchen up properly before applying moth balls in the area. 

Do this by cleaning all areas of greasy dirt on walls, floors, basements, etc. Try to ensure that all germs on these surfaces go away wholly, leaving no room for bugs to live happily there again. 

Step-3: Pick A Place

Pick an area where to place the naphthalene balls. Do not choose any place near food or water supplies because they may harm those items. It should be an area where they can easily reach out and spread their fragrance. 

Also, keep the balls away from pets and children so they don’t get hurt or sick by swallowing them. In a large area, keep them in different places. But for just a tiny space, it is better to put them all together. Doing so enables the user to keep track of and get rid of them.

Step-4: Use A Plastic Bag

Try to wrap the naphthalene balls in a plastic bag before placing them in the area where to apply them. This plastic bag will help keep them safe from moisture, sunlight, and other things that can destroy their effectiveness against moths. 

Use old newspapers or other paper materials if there are not enough plastic bags. Make sure that the chemical solids can prevent moisture from reaching inside the pack of camphor. This way, they will not roll around the house or kitchen area while cooking or cleaning around them.

Step-5: Place Them In A Container

Place them away from food items such as grains, cereals, flour, rice, etc. These balls can quickly spoil these types of things. So keep them away from them. Try to place them in a sealed container so that they won’t spread all over the kitchen area when placed there. 

Use plastic bags, jars, or even containers made from airtight glass. Ensure no air comes inside when placed in the container with mothballs for storage.

Step-6: Keep It In A Dry Area

Keep the naphthalene balls in a dry place at all times. Try to ensure that it does not get damaged or lose its effectiveness. Keep them away from moisture, direct sunlight, and heat source as much as possible. They will keep their efficiency for longer if you keep them away from moisture or moisture content at all costs.

5 Benefits Of Using Mothballs In The Kitchen: Know Before Use

There are a lot of benefits of using mothballs in the kitchen. Know them before using the solid materials in that particular area. The following will give a brief idea about the benefits. If confused about whether to use them, this idea will motivate the confused person to apply naphthalene.

1. Keeps Away Pests

The naphthalene materials of mothballs protect the foods from any damage caused by pests such as moths, lice, and bugs. Place them strategically around the kitchen, where these pests tend to hide when looking for food or shelter. They are sufficient with this quality of keeping pests away.

2. Prevents Growth Of Mold

A mold problem is one of the most common problems in every kitchen, especially during rainy seasons or winters. The mold can spoil the food and make it unhealthy for consumption. If the user uses mothballs in the kitchen, the naphthalene will kill all types of fungus and prevent the growth of molds again.

3. Repels Rodents And Insects

Mothballs are known for their ability to repel insects, especially moths. The smell of the naphthalene is enough to keep away any insect that comes in contact with it. Since food attracts most kitchen pests, this is a perfect solution to keep them away from the food items.

4. Eliminates Bad Odors

The rotten smell from eggs, meat, and other food items can annoy everyone in a kitchen. This lousy situation happens when the place is complete without any ventilation system. Applying mothballs in that particular place will help reduce those foul odors without difficulty!

5. Prevents Food From Rotting

Mothballs are also an excellent way to prevent food from rotting and spoiling quickly. The reason is that they kill bacteria or fungus that may cause the food item to deteriorate soon. If some fruits or veggies tend to get rotten quickly, use camphor around them so they don’t go bad before their time.

Downsides With Remedies Of Using Mothballs In The Kitchen 

Mothballs have been used for decades to keep moths and other pests out of clothes and food pantries. However, the dangers of camphor are well known, but they are not very strong. Overcome them very easily by taking some simple measurements. 

• Bad Smell Of Mothballs:

Mothballs smell terrible, and they can cause sneezing and coughing. The scent will stay in the kitchen for several days after using them. Eliminate these smells by adding baking soda to the affected area. Then leave it overnight or open all the windows in the kitchen. 

• Mothballs Are Toxic:

Mothballs contain naphthalene, which is highly toxic. Naphthalene will cause vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, and even death if ingested in high doses. Keep the home well ventilated during the camphor’s use and remove them as soon as possible.

• Mothballs Are Flammable:

Mothballs are highly flammable and can cause fires if they come in contact with heat sources like light bulbs or stoves. For this reason, do not store the camphor near these surfaces. So, do not keep these balls near a fireplace, candle, stove, or open flames.

• Can Cause Health Issues:

Mothballs contain naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene (PDB), which can cause health issues when inhaled over time. They also irritate the eyes and skin when touched directly or indirectly. So, wear safety gloves and a mask before dealing with them.

Related Questions:

Is It Safe To Use Mothballs In The Kitchen?

Mothballs are a safe and effective way to keep moths out of the kitchen. But try not to keep them in the kitchen for too long. These chemicals work by releasing vapors that repel insects rather than killing them outright. Despite having some particular toxic features, no evidence using camphor in the kitchen poses any significant risk from inhalation or skin contact.

How Many Mothballs Should You Use In The Kitchen?

For a smaller pantry, use fewer mothballs. 5 to 6 pieces of mothballs will do the job in this case. But try to apply more than ten pieces of these chemical solids to protect a larger kitchen from moths. The amount of camphor needed in the kitchen depends on its size and the food stored there.

Can You Put Mothballs In The Kitchen Pantry?

Put mothballs in the kitchen pantry to keep moths away from all types of food. This food may include grains, rice, dried fruit, and canned goods. However, there are some things to remember regarding this. Keep the windows open so that fresh air can flow into the room.

It will help remove the smell of camphor from it faster. Make sure there is enough space between each ball so they don’t touch or stick together. Otherwise, they won’t effectively eliminate pests or mask their odor.

Can The Smell Of Mothballs In The Kitchen Be Harmful?

The smell of mothballs is one of the most common household odors. Camphor is toxic if used in large quantities or ingested by humans and animals. They contain naphthalene which can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea when ingested. 

This ultimate use of naphthalene may result in severe damage to the kidneys if inhaled for extended periods. But these are some exceptional cases. If the user has maintained proper precautions, camphor balls are good enough to use in the cooking yard.

Do Mothballs Keep Mice Away From The Kitchen?

The smell of mothballs will repel mice from entering the kitchen. They are not fond of the scent and will avoid it as much as possible when looking for food sources. If there is an infestation in the home, this may be one of the best ways to remove them permanently without resorting to traps or poisons.

How Long Does Mothball In The Kitchen Smell Last?

The mothball smell will start dissipating after about three days, but it may take up to two weeks before it is completely gone from the kitchen. It depends on how often the cabinet doors remain opened and how much air flows through the pantry. Moreover, this thing also depends on the size of the mothballs. The smell of larger particles lasts longer than that of smaller ones.

Final Verdict:

You should always have a clear concept about how to use mothballs in the kitchen. These chemicals are always very effective and helpful in protecting the kitchen from harmful insects. Always be very selective and strategic in placing these materials in the area.

However, this article illustrates the steps and ways to use naphthalene in the kitchen. Hopefully, this was helpful and informative. Thanks a lot for reading.