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Will Mothballs Keep Squirrels Away from Your Yard?

Can mothballs be used as natural insecticide?

By Heather WhitneyPublished 2 years ago 4 min read
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Mothballs are a popular way to keep squirrels away from your yard, but do they really work? Some people say that the scent of mothballs scares the squirrels away, while others believe that the balls actually poison the animals.

In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at how effective mothballs are at keeping squirrels away and whether there are any safer alternatives you can use. Stay tuned!

What are Mothballs Used for?

Mothballs have a variety of uses, but most people don't know that they can also be used to repel squirrels and other animals.

Mothballs are simply balls that contain chemicals that act as a pesticide as well as deodorants and fragrances. These fragrances are present in mothballs because they are frequently used in places where clothes and other fabric items that moths may be attracted to are stored.

Mothballs contain chemicals with a very sweet scent that is extremely pungent, as well as the ability to sublimate. They are typically stored in an airtight plastic bag and release the scent as gas after being solid at first.

Mothballs, on the other hand, are frequently used as a repellent for various animals in addition to protecting your clothing from moths. Bats, snakes, and, of course, squirrels are included. While the sweet scent of mothballs may be pleasant to humans, it is effectively an animal's worst nightmare.

Will Mothballs Keep Squirrels Away and How Effective They Are?

It's no secret that squirrels are pesky little critters. They're always searching for food, and they're not afraid to rummage through your trashcan or raid your bird feeder.

If you're looking for a way to keep them out of your garden, you may want to try using mothballs.

Mothballs have a distinct odor that squirrels strongly dislike. They are widely used to repel squirrels because they work both indoors and outdoors. To use these mothballs to repel squirrels, simply place them in corners of your home, plant pots, or bedded plant areas.

If you want to keep squirrels away from every inch of your garden, you may need to use several, as their smell works best in smaller areas. The smell of these mothballs will fade after a few weeks, so you should keep an eye on them and replace them when they no longer have a strong odor.

Are Mothballs Effective in Repelling Other Pests?

Mothballs have been used for generations as a way to get rid of pests, including mice, rats, and pigeons. However, many people have complained that they are ineffective at repelling insects, and instead of repelling them, they simply add a new smell to your garden.

In fact, mothballs are not intended to be used as an insecticide; their original purpose was to repel moths. And while the vapors from mothballs are effective at killing moths, they are also harmful to the environment.

For this reason, it is best to avoid using mothballs in your garden. There are plenty of other ways to keep pests away that don't involve harming the environment.

Are Mothballs Toxic for Squirrels and Other Animals?

Mothballs may seem like a harmless way to keep your closet free of moths, but they can actually be quite dangerous for squirrels as well as for other animals.

Mothballs are easily misidentified as other foods, and if an animal consumes them, it can cause severe damage to its organism, if not death.

Are Mothballs Dangerous for the Environment?

Mothballs have been used for generations as a way to keep pests out of homes, but their harmful effects on the environment are becoming more and more difficult to ignore.

Mothballs are made of naphthalene, a substance that is toxic to animals and can cause serious harm to the ecosystem. When mothballs are products and animals come into contact with them, the chemicals can be released into the air and soil.

Inhaling the fumes from mothballs can be deadly to animals, and ingesting them can cause liver damage.

The EPA has classified naphthalene as a possible human carcinogen, and there is evidence that exposure to mothballs can cause cancer in rats. With all of these risks, it's clear that mothballs are more trouble than they're worth. There are plenty of other ways to keep pests out of your home without harming the environment.

Conclusion

So, will mothballs keep squirrels away from your yard? The answer is a little complicated.

Mothballs can work as a repellent if they are used in the right way and at the right concentration, but it’s important to take into account the other factors that may be influencing the squirrels’ behavior. If you’re looking for a more long-term solution, we recommend trying one of our other methods for getting rid of squirrels.

Have you had success with using mothballs to keep squirrels away from your yard? Let us know in the comments!

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Heather Whitney

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