The Truth about Mothballs

Do-it-Yourself pest control efforts come with a long list of potential hazards. In some cases, ineffectiveness is among the better outcomes.

You should consider yourself lucky, for example, if wasted time and money are all you have to show for a failed attempt at DIY wildlife removal. You could easily be left with a painful set of bite marks as well.

Not all DIY pest control hazards are the result of teeth and claws, however. Sometimes it’s a case of a man-made hazard all the way around. One example is the persistent idea that mothballs can be used to repel a variety of pests ranging from mosquitoes to rodents to snakes, pigeons and larger animals including skunks, deer and raccoons.

The Many Hazards of Mothballs

Not only are mothballs ineffective for any of these purposes, they are also highly toxic. Their active ingredient, naphthalene, is banned for use in pesticides across Europe and is regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In addition to the risk that they will be eaten by pets or children, who may mistake them for food, mothballs also work by gradually sublimating into poisonous fumes that can lead to neurological and organ damage, as well as soil, water and plant contamination. Naphthalene has also been identified as potentially carcinogenic.

And except for moths, mothballs are an ineffective means of pest control that should never be used outside or in attics, storage areas, crawl spaces, trash cans or vehicles. Even for clothing moths, there are far safer means of preventing and eliminating infestations.

Professional Pest Control for Safe & Effective Results

Whatever your pest or wildlife challenges, the risk of tackling them yourself can have serious consequences to human, animal and plant health, in addition to ineffective or short-term results.

A pest and wildlife control professional on the other hand, is experienced, licensed and trained to assess wildlife or pest conflicts before determining the safest and most effective resolution. From species, to location, to season, professional wildlife solutions are customized to ensure safe, humane and effective strategies, along with compliance with relevant laws and regulatory requirements.

Protect yourself, your visitors and your property with experienced pest and wildlife control services that get the job done right.

The Team Property Managers Turn to for Expertise & Experience

At Rusty’s Animal Control, our team is experienced in a wide array of insect and wildlife challenges that afflict business and residential property owners. From Canada geese to rodents, bats, insects and other wildlife intruders, our solutions are carefully planned to ensure the health and safety of occupants and visitors, while also ensuring a humane approach. We are also trained and certified to work in specialized settings that include hospitals, clinics and other health care settings.

To learn why so many property managers and owners turn to the team at Rusty’s for their wildlife and pest control removal and exclusion services, contact a member of our team or schedule an expert assessment of your property.

Contact us to learn more about our nuisance wildlife and pest control services