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 belon
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. 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.
