Although critters are a natural part of the world and should be respected from a distance, that does not mean we want them making themselves at home in our houses or gardens. Traditional traps and poisons are cruel and dangerous, but many of us long for a gentle, do-it-yourself method that will simply deter unwanted pests and encourage them to stay out in the wild where they belong.
Recently, a viral social media post by a woman named Elizabeth Liesch caught the internet's attention. She shared that she successfully keeps mice, rats, skunks, snakes, coyotes, and javelina away from her property. Her method involved cutting V shapes into plastic containers, filling them with water, and dropping in four to six mothballs, claiming the water-soluble scent lasts a long time and drives pests away.
It sounds like a simple, clever trick. However, before you rush to buy mothballs and set them around your yard, we need to pause for a very important safety conversation.
While the intention behind this do-it-yourself hack is wonderful, wanting to deter pests without harming them, the use of mothballs outdoors in water is actually highly dangerous, illegal in many places, and harmful to the exact environment we are trying to protect.
Let us explore why we need to skip the mothballs, and instead look at truly safe, humane, and minimal-ingredient do-it-yourself methods to keep your home pest-free.
The Truth About Mothballs: Why We Must Skip Them
It is incredibly important to understand that mothballs are not just strong-smelling deodorizers. They are solid pesticides. They are made of either naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene, both of which are toxic chemicals.
Why the mothball in water hack is dangerous requires careful consideration. First, it is illegal. In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency strictly regulates mothballs. It is a violation of federal law to use them outdoors, in water, or in any manner not specified on the product label.
Second, water contamination is a serious risk. Because mothballs are water-soluble, the toxic chemicals leach directly into the soil and local groundwater, harming the ecosystem we are trying to protect.
Third, pet and wildlife toxicity is a major concern. Dogs, cats, and wild animals are highly attracted to the smell and may eat them. Ingesting even one mothball can be fatal to a pet or a wild bird.
Fourth, human health is at risk. The fumes are toxic to humans, especially children, and can cause respiratory issues and headaches.
We want to coexist peacefully with nature, not poison the soil and water to do it. Fortunately, there are beautifully simple, non-toxic alternatives that work just as well.
The Safe, Three-Ingredient Do-It-Yourself Pest Deterrent Spray
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