Do moth balls keep spiders away from your home? Mothballs have some harmful health effects, which makes them good insect repellers. But do moth balls repel spiders?
Yes, mothballs are effective spider repellents. Naphthalene is the main ingredient of mothballs, and spiders hate its smell. Therefore, you can use mothballs to keep spiders away from your home or apartment. But be careful of the unhealthy effects of mothballs if you have children at home.
Are you worried about whether you should use mothballs or not? You will have no confusion in deciding which way to go once you finish reading this article.
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Do moth balls repel spiders: How to keep spiders away with mothballs?
When your grandma took out the winter clothes from the wardrobe, you may smell something. That’s the smell of naphthalene. Our grandmas always used to put mothballs with clothes to repel pests.
You may still use mothballs today to keep your clothes in good condition. But when suddenly a spider jumps in front of you, you may get scared. The first thing that comes to your mind is how to get rid of these crawling species?
Although you can follow many other ways, using mothballs can be the most convenient solution for you. The question is, will mothballs repel spiders?
Will mothballs keep spiders away?
Mothballs will keep spiders away because they consist of naphthalene, which is harmful to the liver. When spiders breathe in the smell of naphthalene, it becomes harder for them to breathe. That’s why they try to run away from mothballs.
Drawback: Unhealthy to humans too
But the problem is naphthalene is also harmful to the human body. If you inhale the smell of naphthalene, you will also have difficulties in breathing. Especially if you have kids at home, using mothballs can be risky.
How to use naphthalene safely to repel spiders?
Locate the places in your house where spiders infest. Cracks, holes, and dark corners are some of the common places for spiders to hang around.
Now, select the locations where people in the house usually do not go. For instance, you will not get inside a wall crack. Put 2-3 mothballs in each place, and the spiders should go away soon.
Try to use gloves and masks while dealing with the placement of the mothballs. It will ensure that you are safe from the harmful effects of naphthalene.
Is the smell of mothballs harmful to babies?
Most mothballs include naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene, which are toxic to babies and pets. Doctors say inhaling mothball smells can have severe health effects on babies. They can even lead to brain damage.
Therefore, if you have kids or pets at home, I would recommend you not to use mothballs to repel spiders. You can follow several other safe ways to get rid of spiders. For instance, you can use wasp spray to repel spiders. Keep scrolling to find out about other methods.
Other ways to repel spiders
These alternative methods are also quite efficient in keeping spiders away from home. I will divide them into two parts, which are natural and commercial. Let’s talk about the methods to repel spiders.
Natural spider repellent: Essential oils
Essential oils are one of the best things that repel spiders, and it’s safe too. It works as a natural spider repellent. You can add a little bit of vinegar to essential oils to repel spiders.
Peppermint oil is one of the best and safest essential oils to repel spiders. Mix a few drops of peppermint oil with a few drops of vinegar and water. Put the mixture into a spray bottle and spray it on spiders to keep them away.
You also can use other essential oils such as citrus, lavender, or lemon oil. But if you ask for the easiest and quickest way to get rid of spiders, then I will suggest you buy a spider killer.
Spider killers
Miss Muffet’s Revenge Indoor and Outdoor Spider Killer is one of the best spider killers available on the market. It helps you kill black widow spiders, brown recluse spiders, hobo spiders, and all other house spiders. Spray the product directly on the spiders, and the job will be done within a few minutes.
What insects do mothballs keep away?
Mothballs are the most common cloth moth repellent. Its chemicals keep the moths away efficiently. People have been using mothballs in the wardrobe and between the clothes for many years.
Besides spiders, mothballs repel roaches. Companies often claim that their mothballs help to keep various insects away. But in most cases, it’s a false claim. Mothballs are no good at getting rid of pests except for a few smaller ones.
FAQs:
- How long does a mothball last?
Mothballs can start dissolving within four to six weeks. It may take around three to six months before the mothballs completely dissolve and require replacement. However, in an airtight container, they can last longer than six months.
- What happens if you touch mothballs?
The toxic chemicals in mothballs can be harmful to human skin. That’s why you should not touch them with bare hands. Even if you do, wash your hands instantly afterward.
- What smells will keep spiders away?
Smells of different essential oils such as citrus, peppermint, lavender, etc., keep spiders away. Make a spray solution using a few teaspoons of essential oils and a little bit of water and spray them around the house to deter spiders.
- Do natural spider repellents work?
Natural spider repellents do work but to a certain extent. If there is a low spider infestation in your house and the spiders are not so large, then natural spider repellents will work fine. But for heavy spider infestation, natural spider repellents may not provide satisfactory results.
- How to get rid of swollen spider bites?
Use a clean cloth dampened in water with Savlon/Dettol or soap to clean the bitten area first. Then apply aloe vera or essential oils to get rid of pain and fasten the healing process. Seek medical attention if the condition is severe.
Final words
Do moth balls repel spiders? I hope you have found your answers. Now it’s time to get rid of these crawling creatures in your house.
Meanwhile, if you still have any questions regarding repelling spiders, please feel free to comment below. I will reach you with a good solution ASAP.