Mothballs have a weird smell that might not be liked by other animals. Though humans might find the smell interesting and fascinating, the smell is abhorred by many insects.
That’s why it has the most use in repelling insects while the amount used is controlled.
Following the below tips and information regarding mothballs and if they are able to keep the mosquitoes away or not would help you to get rid of the mosquitoes.
Keeping mosquitoes away with mothballs
Mothballs might have a slight impact on mosquitoes due to the smell. Well, there is no guarantee that mothballs can keep mosquitoes away completely. Rather they are able to repel insects and moths. Moreover, their usage is also limited up to a certain amount and controlled.
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Mothballs are quite similar to camphor. Both of them almost have the same usage. Camphor and mothballs are mostly used on clothes.
The fragrance of the mothball keeps insects away. Apart from that, it can also be used as a pesticide. In some cases, it works to drive away pests and moths.
On the other hand, mothballs have a sweet and pungent smell. The smell is disliked by many insects. That’s why the insects keep themselves away from the mothball. Moreover, the cloth even remains fresh and the fragrance suits the clothes.
Even though many insects can be kept away, mosquitoes are tough to drive away. Well, some believe mosquitoes do not like the smell of mothballs. As a result, they would go away if they come near the smell. But the chance is very low.
Some also say the mothballs spread gas when they become gas. Well, mothballs rapidly turn into fumes after keeping them for some time in the environment. Using the dissolved mothballs would keep the mosquitoes away from the place.
But it is not that effective either. Mosquitoes would only temporarily not come near the place. It is more likely to not work.
Apart from mosquitoes, cockroaches also do not like the smell of mothballs. But they can adapt to the conditions and environment with time.
There is no complete repellent for mosquitoes and cockroaches. They always come back even after applying repellents.
Do mosquitoes like the smell of mothballs?
Mosquitoes do not like the smell of the mothballs. Mothballs have a fresh and pungent smell that spreads rapidly all over the place. Well, the smell is even sensitive to humans and the same goes for insects and other pests.
Even humans should not smell the mothballs. Mothballs are toxic and even after touching them, one should wash their hands. It is better not to keep the mothballs in your hand. Rather spreading them would also work.
There is no guarantee that mosquitoes would not come near the place where mothballs are kept.
Mosquitoes do not like strong smells. Yet, some perfumes smell can also attract mosquitoes. The mosquitoes are more likely to abhor the pungent smell of the mothballs. But not strong enough to drive the mosquitoes away.
2 reasons why mothballs cannot keep the mosquitoes away
Mothballs have the ability to drive away many pests and insects. It can be used in any place.
One can use the mothballs by spreading them in the yard to keep the pests away. But they often do not have any impact on driving away from the mosquitoes.
Certain reasons why mothball is unable to keep mosquitoes away are given below.
Smell:
Mosquitoes dislike smells. Especially strong smells can trigger mosquitoes and drive them away. That’s why many natural repellents which are used to repel mosquitoes have a strong smell.
Even lavender oil and neem oil have a bitter taste as well that can keep the mosquitoes away.
Even the mothballs have a strong smell that spreads in a long area. The smell is not liked by the mosquitoes but is not strong enough to drive the mosquitoes away.
Moreover, it is highly prohibited to use mothballs at home for up to a certain amount. It would rather harm the people around instead of keeping the mosquitoes away.
Toxic gas:
Moth Balls disappear with time. If you have ever kept camphor or the mothball, you would have noticed the circular balls become smaller with time.
At some point, the ball would disappear in the air. It is because the mothballs form toxic gas with time and disappear.
The gas might have a little impact on the mosquito but still would not be enough to terminate the mosquitoes.
On the other hand, it can cause breathing problems for people. Inhaling the toxic gas can cause pain in the chest and cause sneezing as well. That’s why they are highly restricted to use and their usage is limited.
What does mothballs do to mosquitoes?
Mothballs do not affect mosquitoes badly. Rather it is bad for humans. The mothballs are known for their strong smell and produce toxic gas.
As it is a toxic component, it has restricted usage. Moreover, using too many mothballs would rather have an impact on health.
As mosquitoes do not like strong smells or bitter smells, mothballs might be able to keep the mosquitoes away for some time. But it is not reliable at all. Contrary mothballs work greatly on mice, insects, and pests.
They can repel many insects but are unable to drive away mosquitoes. Still, one can try putting mothballs to keep the mosquitoes away. But the amount should be enough that would not cause harm to anyone.
How to get rid of mosquitoes with mothballs?
There is a slight impact of the mothballs on repelling mosquitoes. Well, it is not completely effective. Rather, it might not help at all.
Still, some may want to use mothballs thinking mothballs would keep mosquitoes far. In that case, you can follow the below to keep the mosquitoes away by using mothballs.
Use the mothballs:
Using mothballs to repel mosquitoes is not effective at all. Still, if someone wants to use a mothball, they can spread the mothballs in the corner of the home so that the smell can spread throughout the room and keep the mosquitoes away.
Apart from that, one can also use the powder of the mothball. You can break the solid mothballs and make powder out of them.
Lastly, spread the powder in the room. The powder should not come in contact with the human. Moreover, the powder can flow in the air. Inhaling it would cause harm to the people.
What works best to keep mosquitoes away?
No repellent can work on mosquitoes completely. Mosquitoes would adapt to the environment and would not be influenced by the repellent at all. Still, some methods are still applied to keep the mosquitoes away as trying is better.
One can use a net to stop the entry of the mosquito through the net. As a result, mosquitoes would not come near. You can use the net on the window as well.
Essential oils can keep mosquitoes away. The fragrance of the oils would do the work. Lavender, citronella, basil, and peppermint oil can be used for this purpose. You can hang the oil by keeping them in a pouch.
The smell would spread in the room. As a result, mosquitoes would ignore the room.
There are many repellents found on the market which work against mosquitoes. Well, there is no repellent that can completely repel mosquitoes. But they can still work temporarily to keep the mosquitoes away.
But after some time the mosquitoes might get used to the repellent. Making it impossible to repel them.
Final Toughts
Overall, mothballs do not have the ability to keep mosquitoes away. There is no repellent that can work on mosquitoes and keep them away completely. Still, some repellents might work for a certain period of time. But mothballs have no contribution to keeping the mosquitoes away.