If you’ve had problems with squirrels chewing wires or nesting in your car, you may have wondered if mothballs can be an effective deterrent. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll look at whether mothballs really work for squirrel control, how to use them properly, and some safer alternative solutions.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Using mothballs to keep squirrels away from your car can be somewhat effective, but there are safer and more humane alternatives. Strategically placing mothballs around your vehicle may help repel squirrels with the strong smell, but the method has drawbacks.

How Mothballs Work to Repel Squirrels

Strong Odor is Unpleasant

Mothballs contain chemicals like naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene that emit a strong, pungent odor. For squirrels and other wildlife, this smell is unpleasant and acts as a repellent, driving the animals away from areas treated with mothballs.

The powerful mothball scent is extremely difficult for squirrels to tolerate. Their sensitive noses detect the odor from great distances. Once squirrels get a whiff of mothballs, they tend to avoid the area.

Mothballs release gas slowly over time. The lingering odor serves as constant reminder for squirrels not to come near. As long as the smell persists, squirrels will stay away.

Toxic Chemicals Pose Risks

The chemicals in mothballs don’t just smell bad – they can also be toxic to squirrels and other animals at high concentrations. So mothballs work by repelling squirrels using odor, but also by poisoning them if they ingest the chemicals.

Naphthalene is especially dangerous if eaten. It can cause hemolytic anemia in squirrels, damaging their red blood cells. Paradichlorobenzene is less acutely toxic but can cause issues like liver and kidney damage.

The risks to squirrels increase in enclosed spaces where mothball fumes concentrate. Mothballs in attics or crawlspaces are far more hazardous than those outdoors where gases can dissipate.

For these reasons, there are concerns about the safety and ethics of using mothballs. Their use is banned in some places. If mothballs are used, they must be applied judiciously to repel squirrels while minimizing harm.

Using Mothballs to Deter Squirrels from Vehicles

Placement Tips

When using mothballs to keep squirrels away from your car or other vehicles, proper placement is crucial for effectiveness. Here are some tips from pest control experts:

  • Place mothballs under the hood of your vehicle near wires, hoses and other areas squirrels like to nest.
  • You can also put mothballs in the trunk, wheel wells, door panels or under seats – anywhere squirrels may try to enter or nest.
  • Use mothballs liberally, scattering them in the recommended areas. The strong odor serves as a repellent to chase squirrels away.
  • Replace mothballs every 30-60 days as the smell starts fading. Fresher mothballs keep emitting the robust odor that squirrels dislike.

Precautions

When placing mothballs near your vehicle, keep these safety precautions in mind:

  • Use caution when handling mothballs – they contain pesticides that can irritate skin and eyes.
  • Make sure to keep mothballs away from food items, children’s reach or areas where pets could access them.
  • Properly air out the vehicle interior to let smells dissipate before allowing humans or pets back in.
  • Check under the hood before starting the vehicle engine to ensure no mothballs have dropped onto hot surfaces.

By responsibly using mothballs to discourage squirrels, you can protect your vehicle from costly rodent damage. But take care to minimize risks to yourself, passengers or pets. Refer to the EPA’s safety guidelines on mothballs for further details.

Potential Problems with Using Mothballs

Health Hazards

Mothballs contain chemicals like naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene that can be hazardous to human health if inhaled or ingested (MSU Extension). According to research, exposure to mothball fumes over an extended time can cause headaches, dizziness, and irritation of the eyes, skin, and lungs.

There is also evidence linking naphthalene to anemia, damage to the liver, and even cancer with prolonged exposure.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission bans the use of certain chemicals like naphthalene in mothballs. So most commercially sold mothballs today contain paradichlorobenzene, which is considered safer but still potentially harmful.

Using too many mothballs near cars or homes can risk the health of children and pets.

Environmental Effects

Mothballs not only affect human health but also harm the environment when chemicals leach into soil and groundwater (CSU Extension). Naphthalene can persist in soil for months or years before degrading into other compounds.

Runoff from rain and irrigation also spreads these chemicals far from the original mothball application site.

A 2021 study by UC Berkeley tested backyard soil and found naphthalene contamination likely caused by mothball use. Contaminants at certain levels pose risks for plants, insects, and wildlife in surrounding areas.

Responsible disposal of mothballs is crucial to mitigate wider environmental impacts over time.

Limited Effectiveness

Mothballs may repel some squirrels initially but are not very effective for larger rodent deterrence in the long run. Squirrels can become used to the smell within a few weeks according to wildlife experts (MSU). Mothballs also lose potency quickly when exposed to air and moisture outside.

Mothballs lose 50% strength in just 30-90 days
Rain can wash away chemicals in only 24 hours

Frequent reapplication would be needed to maintain any squirrel repelling properties. But overuse of mothballs can damage car paint, interiors, and components. Alternative squirrel deterrents like predator urine or bittering agents may offer better and safer control.

Safer Alternatives for Squirrel Control

Peppermint Oil

Peppermint oil is an all-natural squirrel repellent that can help deter squirrels from your property or vehicle. According to research, squirrels have an acute sense of smell and dislike the strong minty scent of peppermint (Soucek, 2020).

To use peppermint oil as a repellent, soak cotton balls in the oil and place them strategically around your property or under the hood of your car. Reapply the oil every few days to keep the scent fresh and effective.

Anecdotal reports show peppermint oil helps deter squirrels from gardens, sheds, and vehicles when used consistently.

Ammonia-Soaked Rags

Like peppermint oil, ammonia is another strong scent that can deter squirrels. Ammonia mimics the scent of predator urine, triggering squirrels’ natural instinct to avoid the area (The Humane Society, 2023).

To use this method, soak rags in household ammonia and place them around potential squirrel entry points or under your car’s hood. The rags will need to be re-soaked every few days as the ammonia evaporates.

While not guaranteed, this inexpensive trick may make your property less desirable to squirrels’ sensitive noses.

Ultrasonic Repellers

Ultrasonic repellers use high-frequency sound waves to drive squirrels away from an area. These battery-powered devices emit sounds that are inaudible to humans but unpleasant to squirrels (BobVila, 2022). Place them around your garden, attic, vehicle, or other areas prone to squirrel invasion.

The sounds create an uncomfortable environment that encourages squirrels to leave and look for a new home. Effectiveness depends on having enough units to cover the space. Reviews are mixed on these devices, but they may be worth trying as a humane deterrent.

Conclusion

While mothballs may help deter squirrels from your car to some degree, their effectiveness is limited and there are significant downsides. Safer, more humane options like peppermint oil, ammonia, and ultrasonic repellers are preferable alternatives that don’t pose health or environmental risks.

With some strategic prevention and deterrence, you can keep squirrels away from your vehicle without resorting to risky chemical solutions like mothballs.

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