Deer Repellents: Moth Balls

Moth balls are a pesticide that has been used extensively in storage of clothing to prevent moth damage. Moth balls are solid, but release a gas that permeates fabric and kills moths and moth larvae. According to the Oregon State University Extension, the use of moth balls to deter deer in the garden goes against the product label and law.

Identification

The active ingredient in moth balls can be naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene. Naphthalene is "flammable, evaporates quickly and may be toxic to birds, pets and children," according to the University of Vermont Extension.

Considerations

Moth balls were found to be among the least repellent of numerous substances tested in a Pennsylvania State University research study. The study offered food alongside several substances with supposed repellent capabilities and measured the response of deer.

Benefits

The University of Vermont Extension lists moth balls as an item commonly used to deter deer and other wildlife from gardens. Moth balls might additionally deter rabbits, but various extension resources offer conflicting views on their effectiveness.

Considerations

Deer often fear the presence of new things in their environment. Deer may become used to the scent of moth balls and fail to respond to them over time. The University of Vermont Extension suggests rotating between repellents to keep deer from adapting to your deterrent strategies.

Warning

Moth balls have a strong odor that can also affect humans in the area. Children may mistake moth balls for candy. Moth balls are poisonous when eaten, and inhaled vapors cause a range of negative symptoms in humans.

References

• Oregon State University Extension: Mothballs: Proper Use and Alternative Controls for Clothes Moths
• University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Deer Damage Prevention Efforts in Pennsylvania
• University of Vermont Extension: Deer Deterrents -- Scents
• University of Wisconsin Extension: The Vermin Reports: Rabbits
• Purdue University: Mothballs

Resources

• NDSU Extension Service: Questions On: Rabbits
• National Pesticide Telecommunications Network: Homeowners, Wildlife and Pesticides