Blood-sucking bed bugs suck the life out of our lives. It is natural to be desperate to try different tips and remedies to make your home bedbug-free. But, this desperation gives rise to so many myths.
Some people claim to use baking soda to get rid of bedbugs while some hope the cold weather will stop the bedbugs. You may have heard that naphthalene balls kill bed bugs. In this blog, you will find out whether naphthalene balls are effective against bed bugs. You might be hopeful because you know about the properties of naphthalene. It’s important to understand whether using naphthalene balls is appropriate for this purpose.
What are naphthalene balls?
Naphthalene balls or mothballs are dicholorobenzene. They do not have a smell but, many naphthalene balls are mixed with camphor oil. Naphthalene balls mixed with camphor oil can have a menthol-like smell.
Naphthalene balls can eliminate bed bugs but are also very toxic to humans. They have been regarded as carcinogenic by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a division of the World Health Organization. These balls vaporize over time and have been used to keep the moths out to stop them from destroying books and expensive clothes.
Why should you not use mothball or naphthalene to kill bedbugs?
Naphthalene will undoubtedly kill your bed bugs, but that will come with a price. These naphthalene balls have been regarded as carcinogenic. So knowingly opting for this fatal remedy is like signing your death certificate.
Mothballs can cause serious skin allergies. These balls are usually used to protect clothes and books from moths. If you use mothballs and then wear clothes without washing them, it can lead to hemolytic anemia. Hemolytic anemia occurs when your red blood cells are destroyed faster than they can be replaced. While it can be mild, it could become fatal if not monitored and treated properly.
Naphthalene balls are extremely harmful. If you consume about a few of these orally, pretty sure you won’t make it. If you have kids or pets, it is best you don’t even make the purchase.
Mothballs can also be a cause of cataracts. They may seem harmless, small, white, and have a very non-threatening odor. But these things are as dangerous as harmless they see. You can get very ill to the point you could lose your life. And if you survive ingesting it, then you could suffer from eye cataracts.
If you do not put one of these death wishes in your mouth, it can still affect you. Naphthalene balls vapourize over time and inhaling this also has adverse effects. Inhaling this for a long time can make you prone to getting cancer.
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Conclusion
Naphthalene balls are lethal to bed bugs and humans. So this is not the best option you need to go for when you have a bed bug infestation. Yes, bed bugs are annoying and you may be upset and desperate for any and every treatment to keep the bedbugs at bay.
But, take a deep breath and think. Is this worth you and your family’s life? Will you still proceed knowing well that this measure that you took for the quick removal of bedbugs can cost your child’s life?
It can be considered if you do not plan on returning for months. The naphthalene will all have vaporized by then. But then even the bed bugs will have perished or moved due to the lack of fresh food aka blood. Other remedies are effective and do not pose a health hazard.
