The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has asked me to help spread the word concerning outdoor use of moth balls.

Long story short, moth balls are registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and FDACS as pesticides, just like the very most acutely toxic pesticide active ingredients. Any use inconsistent with the label is illegal. As such, their labels also carry the same force of the law.

FDACS has, in the past few months, received multiple citizen complaints about regular homeowners spreading moth balls around their properties in attempting to repel various forms of wildlife.

First of all outside use of these products is prohibited. In fact the applications are limited to an airtight space, or well sealed container such as a garment bag. Unfortunately applications are being made in locations NOT listed on the “pesticide” moth ball labels; such as attics, walls, voids, crawl spaces, gardens, closets, or plastic garbage bags. These uses are violations of the labels and are illegal!

A lot of consumers and pest control operators don’t seem to be aware that moth balls are a pesticide and regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). Contact information: FDACS (850) 617-7882, National Pesticide Information Center (800) 858-7378, Poison Control Center (800) 222-1222, Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Epidemiology, Pesticide Surveillance Program (800) 606-5810.

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