Moth Balls Melt Solo Cup

[longislandcampe]

We’ve been putting loose moth balls in solo cups and leaving them around the camper when we winterize. Never had any kind of issues in the spring once we dewinterized.

This last winter was different. The moth balls actually made the bottom of the solo cups disintegrate. It’s as if they melted.

Any idea why? I just don’t want the same thing to happen this winter so Im trying to research it before buying anything this time around.

[Chum_lee]

Put the moth balls in a small empty glass jar with the threaded lid removed.

Depending on where (which state) you buy the moth balls, they could be made of naphthalene or para-dichlorobenzene. Both chemicals can effect plastics differently but won't damage glass.

Chum lee

[d1h]

Who can even stand the smell of mothballs?

[Lynnmor]

Moth balls have changed, they now use a different chemical. I don't know if they have the same effect on pests, you should do some research before continuing their use.

[craig7h]

I like you have never had that happen. I have been using the solo cups for years, I would use scissors to make them shorter then punch 4 holes to let the wounderful aroma escape. Maybe the solo folks are making the cups cheeper not as thick.

Will keep doing maybe put small piece of aluminum foil under cup.

[Boon_Docker]

nickthehunter wrote:
Styrofoam or plastic cups?

Solo cups are made of polystyrene, kind of like plastic.

[SAR_Tracker]

gasoline does the same thing to styrofoam

[nickthehunter]

Styrofoam or plastic cups?

[BB_TX]

Moth balls contain naphthalene. And naphthalene is a solvent. Some solvents don’t play well with plastics.