Why would you put mothballs in your yard?

Why would you put mothballs in your yard?

Mothballs sometimes are used illegally to repel pests not listed on labels. Some of these “off-label pests” include: squirrels, skunks, deer, mice, rats, and snakes, among others animals. Use mothballs pesticide products to control the pests listed on the label only!

What are mothballs good for outside?

“Often, mothballs are used in these locations to control pests other than clothes moths,” Stone said. They include squirrels, skunks, deer, mice, rats, dogs, cats, raccoons, moles, snakes, pigeons and a variety of other animals. Any such use is illegal.

How long do mothballs last outside?

One mothball in open air takes 3-6 months to dissipate entirely. If you place the mothball underneath clothing or otherwise not in open air, it will take up to 12 months to completely dissipate. The mothball smell stays in your home for months or years after dissipating.

Can you use mothballs around the house?

Mothballs should not be placed in closets, attics, basements, storage chests or trunks, garment bags or other spaces other than in tightly closed containers as explained above. Gasses from the mothballs escape into the air and can cause respiratory problems.

Do moth balls keep away snakes?

Mothballs are commonly thought to repel snakes, but they are not intended to be used this way and have little effect on snakes. See our web page on the proper use of mothballs. See the link below for more information on snake repellents.

How do you get rid of the smell of mothballs?

You can use various household supplies to remove the odor, including white vinegar, non-chlorine bleach or baking soda. All of these have powerful odor-reducing properties. After one soak, either in the bucket or washing machine, smell the clothing. If there is any remaining scent of mothballs, repeat this step.

Do mothballs hurt plants?

Using mothballs in gardens also causes significant environmental problems. They usually contain either naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene. Both of these chemicals are highly toxic and can get into the soil and groundwater. These mothball hazards may even harm the plants you are trying to protect.

Is it safe to put mothballs in your vegetable garden?

Don’t use them in any food area. Mothballs are a toxic pesticide and should be treated as such. They are definitely not an organic or safe solution to garden or pest problems. They are intended to be used in an enclosed area to prevent insects from eating stored clothing.

Do mothballs kill spiders?

Mothballs are known for their ability to kill moths, eggs and larvae, but they also do well to ward off mice, snakes and spiders. With mothballs in the appropriate location, you can keep spiders away for as long as six months.