Securing Food While Zone Camping

[RichardM]

txrounder, that is a great idea with the camphor balls.  Do they effect the taste of things stored near them?

I'd bet they'll really spice up your coffee!  :shock:
On a more serious note, as long as your individual food items are in sealed bags/containers the mothballs shouldn't impart any flavor.  However, leave some bread or tortillas open with the mothballs and they'll probably taste a bit funny.

[txrounder]

camphor balls. Do they effect the taste of things stored near them?

...not unless you have "open" food, in which case all bets are off!
I have never had a problem with foods in ziplocks picking up any odor/taste. Just a couple is all you need in a pack/bag. If I am nervous about a campsite (i.e. bloodied clothing from nasty cactus/rock injury in moutain lion area) I have been know to scatter a handful around camp!!
I just figure that anything sniffing around wouldnt care for one up their nose! LOL

[TexasGirl]

I'm not a chemist, but a quick google of "mothballs near food" returned results that you might check out.  A common type of mothball/cake is made of paradichlorobenzene, and I sure wouldn't want anything benzene near my food.  I wouldn't trust plastic bags to be impermeable enough for this use.  

You might want to read this, not as gospel, but fyi:  http://www.wildraven.net/carnivores/ursidae/grizzly/safety/mothballs.html.

[txrounder]

A common type of mothball/cake is made of paradichlorobenzene

Great Scott,holy moly, Mr. Science!!!!
Looks like some are also Napthalene nowadays!
Be sure to look for old-fashioned CAMPHOR balls!!!!

btw- Camphor(probably the newer stuff also) sublimates (direct from solid to vapor) -they just get smaller till they dissappear.