Within an enclosed container, Boveda monitors the ambient RH (relative humidity) and adds or removes moisture to maintain the specific RH engineered into the pack. Because it's impossible for Boveda to humidify beyond the RH on the pack, it's impossible to use "too much" – although bear in mind that packs with different RH levels shouldn't be mixed within the same container, as they'll be in conflict with each other.

The life of any Boveda depends how hard it has to work giving up moisture. When there are very few soft spots left in the Boveda, it's time for a recharge or replacement.