I just wanted to update since I sealed all dome bases with the shellac.
Once I had fans no longer running (to either help dry the dome bases or
for other reasons), within a short time, I could start smelling the moth
balls. I didn't think it was too bad until I was out of the house for
much of the past weekend. When I arrived home, upon opening the door
and entering the house, the smell was overwhelming.

I am disappointed. I carefully coated all bases with at least two coats
of shellac. My guess is that the mothball gases still somehow penetrate
the silicone seal of glass dome to wooden base, or because I couldn't
seal with shellac any wood under the glass dome, perhaps the gas gets
through there too, but originally I thought the outer sealing would stop
it. I guess I only have two choices: 1) cut silicone seals to be able
to open the domes and remove the moth ball bags, then reseal without
moth balls, or, 2) place the complete dome as it is now in a larger,
sealable container. My local Walmart has some large acrylic jars with a
lockable seal. Problem is that, for the size I'd need, they're
expensive. I'm probably going to go with the first option above.

Thanks again for all those who tried to help. I guess it's just not
going to work out this way.


On 09/19/2017 09:40 AM, JBI wrote:
I have a small glass dome with a wooden base identical to the one shown
he

http://www.hobbylobby.com/Home-Decor...ase/p/80827902


I do entomology as a hobby and placed several butterflies in the dome
over the Summer and then sealed the base to the glass with silicone so
that small bugs could not enter and eat the specimens.Â* I also hid some
moth flakes inside the dome to ward off these pests just in case they
broke through the seal.Â* I didn't think I would have any issues
afterwards, but I am having one--- I can smell the moth balls outside
the dome, which means the wood is allowing the ball gases to escape.
This isn't good as it's a hazard to breathe moth ball gasses. For now,
I've moved the dome to an unoccupied area of the house until I find a
solution.Â* Is it possible to coat the wooden base, up to the point where
it meets the silicone, with something to seal the wood and make it
airtight and, if so, what would it be?Â* In a pinch, I was thinking of
melting wax and then "painting" it on the base, but not sure this would
work or even be effective.

Thanks in advance for any help.