How to dispose of mothballs: treat them as a pesticide. Seal leftover mothballs or crystals in a tight bag or jar and take them to a household hazardous waste program. Never flush them, toss them outdoors, bury them, or burn them. Mothballs slowly turn into a toxic vapor, and the two common active ingredients, naphthalene and paradichlorobenzene, can harm people and pets. Follow your local program’s guidance; some areas allow small sealed amounts in trash.
What mothballs are made of
| Ingredient | Notes |
|---|---|
| Naphthalene | Older formulation; toxic if swallowed; vapors irritate |
| Paradichlorobenzene | Common in modern mothballs and crystals |
| Camphor | In some natural alternatives |
Mothballs are registered pesticides, and labels limit use to airtight containers with clothing. Using them in attics, gardens, or crawlspaces to repel animals is against label directions in most cases.
Why disposal matters
- Children and pets can mistake mothballs for candy or treats.
- Vapors can cause headaches, nausea, and eye irritation.
- Outdoor use contaminates soil and water.
- Burning creates toxic fumes.
Step-by-step disposal
- Wear gloves and avoid breathing vapors.
- Collect mothballs from closets, chests, and garment bags.
- Seal them in a zip-top bag, then place that in a second bag or jar.
- Label it “mothballs, pesticide.”
- Take it to household hazardous waste collection. See what counts as household hazardous waste.
- Wash hands afterward.
Mothballs found outdoors
People sometimes scatter mothballs to repel snakes, squirrels, or deer. Pick them up with gloves, bag them, and take them to HHW. Remove any visibly contaminated soil if a large amount was used.
Airing out treated items
Clothing and linens stored with mothballs keep a strong odor. Air them outside for a day or two, then wash. For worn-out treated textiles, see discarding worn-out textiles. For pillows and bedding, see how to dispose of pillows.
Safer alternatives
- Clean clothing before storage, since moths target soiled fabric.
- Store wool in airtight bins.
- Use cedar blocks, lavender sachets, or freezing to kill larvae.
- Vacuum closets regularly.
- Use pheromone traps to monitor moths.
If someone swallows a mothball
Contact Poison Control or emergency services immediately. Keep the package for ingredient information.
Old trunks, chests, and estate cleanouts
Estate cleanouts often turn up mothballs in cedar chests, trunks, garment bags, and boxes of blankets, sometimes decades old. Even old mothballs can still release vapor. Open containers outdoors or in a ventilated room, collect the mothballs and crystals into one sealed container, and keep them away from food and children until the next hazardous waste drop-off. Wipe out drawers and chests, then let them air out for several days before reuse or donation, since charities may refuse items with a strong chemical smell.
How to dispose of mothballs FAQ
Can I throw mothballs in the trash?
Some areas allow sealed small amounts, but household hazardous waste is the safer choice.
Are mothballs toxic?
Yes. Naphthalene and paradichlorobenzene can harm people and pets.
Can I flush mothballs?
No. They contaminate water.
How do I get rid of mothball smell?
Air items outside, then wash them.
Do mothballs keep snakes away?
Using them outdoors is generally against label directions and contaminates soil.
The bottom line
How to dispose of mothballs: seal leftover mothballs and crystals in double bags and take them to household hazardous waste. Never flush, burn, bury, or scatter them outdoors, and switch to safer storage methods to avoid future disposal.
Guides and tools
Household hazardous waste guide · Dump cost calculator · All material guides