TDInewguy
Minneapolis, MN
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Joined: 02/15/2006
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The owner of the coach has put mothballs and dryer sheets in the RV to keep the mice out. My question is will this leave a long term mothball smell in the coach?
Are there any risks - I have two young boys and are the mothballs poisonous?
Should I have all the carpets/upholstery steam cleaned?
Thanks!
SSSStefan
2006 Chev 2500HD - Crew Cab D/A
2005 VW Passat TDI wagon - tow vehicle for the pup!
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fordsooperdootydieselsmoker
OrangeCountyCalifornia
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Joined: 08/13/2004
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"Moth balls made with naphthalene are toxic and high levels of exposure can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, blood in the urine and jaundice, a yellow appearance to the skin. Naphthalene can also kill red blood cells. Though your body can replace them, in the interim the condition is referred to as hemolytic anemia. Hospitals have reported a high incidence of hemolytic anemia in newborns and small children who were dressed in clothing or wrapped in blankets that had been stored in naphthalene moth balls. In pregnant women, naphthalene can transfer from the mother's bloodstream into the bloodstream of her unborn baby. The toxin has also been detected in breast milk, though not in quantities that are thought to be of concern. Naphthalene has also been linked to nasal cancer." I wouldn't want to add this to the interior of a confined place!
Mouse control&prevention
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grinder
Courtenay, British Columbia
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Joined: 05/31/2006
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Hey Slate,
The only good news is you drive a FORD ..................
Ted
Courtenay, BC
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skipnchar
Topeka Kansas USA
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Joined: 12/17/2003
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Yes moth balls are poisonous. It sounds as though the previous owner was a very superstitious person as both mice prevention techniques have been proven to be ineffective and or dangerous.
2004 F-150 HD 3,050 lb. payload
Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
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TheLuvShack
Indiana
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Joined: 11/03/2004
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Opinions are free on this board and here's mine. I've found moth balls and dryer sheets to be a effective way to control mice during winter storage. In the spring I remove all moth balls and dryer sheets and open up the unit and air it out. The smell does not linger and I've experienced no ill effects.
"If the women don't find you handsome, they better find you handy". Red Green
Daryl
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Mr.Mark
California/Tennessee
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Joined: 09/24/2006
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My great aunt used moth balls as she was a seamstress and working with a lot of wool. Her house always smelled like mothballs. I did not know it was a bad smell as I always enjoyed seeing her and that was just the way her house smelled.
She would put them in the air condition vents to keep the moths out.
When I was about 10 yrs. old in grade school, the teacher was passing around a box of mothballs for some kind of science project... and I remember thinking, this smells just like my aunts house! LOL! That smell never seemed bad as I always adored my aunt and uncle, they were so GOOD to me as I was growing up.
My Dynasty is in a storage garage in the desert in California and I have put out glue traps to catch any critters that decide to invade.
I'll be back there to start a motorhome trip in about a week and a half. Can't wait to get back on the road!
MM.
Mr.Mark 
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roedapple
gallipolis,ohio
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how did you find the moth balls ? the moths here in ohio are very small.
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sflabrkr
florida
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roedapple wrote:how did you find the moth balls ? the moths here in ohio are very small.
You have to spread their legs
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Karting4Fun
New Hampshire
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Joined: 01/24/2008
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I have used moth balls during winter storage. Not on sleeping surfaces and not to the extreme but is very effective. Never a lingering smell. Take all moth balls out, air out unit, and it is fine. We have had no ill effects and I have children. Of course the moth balls were not in the unit when in use.
Jo & Sue 
'04 Newmar DSDP / 330HP CAT
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sailor_lou
Connecticut
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Joined: 04/01/2006
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We used them (and a lot of them) for one winter and had more mice than ever. In any case, we open up the windows and vents and all the smell was gone within two weeks. Good luck.
Lou
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