Do Mothballs Keep Snakes Away?

Written by Jeremiah Wright
Updated: October 26, 2023
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Snakes are typically elusive, cautious creatures that prefer to avoid contact with humans only attacking when they feel threatened, for the most part. They can be somewhat useful to have around owing to their carnivorous nature and preference for feeding on grubs, insects, mice, rats, slugs, and even other snakes. They can also serve as food sources for other creatures such as hawks.

Although most snakes in North America are harmless, there are a few poisonous species that may harm humans and pets. Their reputation as sinister, venomous reptiles doesn’t help either and unsurprisingly, many home and property owners prefer to keep them well away from their vicinity. Hence the interest in a number of remedies for keeping them at bay. One of which happens to be a white hard substance with a somewhat strong chemical-like odor. So, do moth balls keep snakes away?

Find out what they are precisely, if they’re effective in this regard, and what remedies really are.

What Exactly Are Mothballs?

Mothballs are small balls made of deodorant and chemical insecticide used to store and preserve valuables prone to mold or moth larvae damage.

©iStock.com/bdspn

Mothballs, as their name implies, are small balls made of deodorant and chemical insecticide used to store and preserve clothes and other valuables prone to mold or moth larvae damage. They have become used for various purposes other than the original reasons for which they were manufactured. Do moth balls keep snakes away? Should you actually be stocking up on mothballs for snakes?

Do Mothballs Keep Snakes Away?

No, they do not. They are not only ineffective in repelling them but are also unlawful to use outside. Which puts paid to the idea of buying a few mothballs for snakes.

The EPA also regulates their use; hence, applying them for any purpose other than their original use is not only unlawful but risky. Especially if they come into contact with your children, pets, or other creatures, thereby causing injury. Hence, doing so is best avoided.

Why Do People Believe Mothballs Deter Snakes?

Many people have never actually had first-hand experience of using mothballs to ward off snakes. Hence, their belief in its ability in this regard may mostly be due to hearsay. The ability of these hard, white balls to do so is merely something of an old fable. However, mothballs do not deter snakes. This is due to the fact that these reptiles smell with their tongues and are therefore unlikely to be repelled by any strong-smelling substances.

The use of moth balls for snakes became a rather popular affair due to the belief that their ability to repel moths would also make them effective in repelling the reptiles as well.

The Risks Of Mothballs

Mothballs emit poisonous fumes that can infiltrate into residential spaces, harming everyone inside.

©iStock.com/Raunamaxtor

Having discussed the false truth about mothballs repelling snakes, it is high time you knew the implications of using these balls unduly.

One of the greatest risks of using moth balls for snakes is the likelihood of their being swallowed by little children or animals. These hard white ovals or spheres may also release toxic fumes in your home which may be harmful to both human and furry residents, alike.

On the market, there are two kinds of mothballs. They appear to be the same, but some are manufactured using naphthalene and others with paradichlorobenzene. When exposed to air, both compounds decompose and emit a distinct mothball odor. The more hazardous of the two compounds is naphthalene. Mothball emissions can induce dizziness, headaches, and irritation to the eyes and lungs. When consumed, naphthalene can induce hemolytic anemia, a condition in which the process of oxygen transfer to all body regions is hindered due to a breakdown of red blood cells. The resulting symptoms may include shortness of breath, exhaustion, and painful urination.

Snakes and Humans: What Works?

Most snakes are harmless and serve an important function in your house by keeping pests and rodents at bay.

©Jay Ondreicka/Shutterstock.com

Having answered the question “do mothballs keep snakes away?”, it’s time to examine remedies which are especially effective in this regard. While many people dislike snakes and wish to kill them on sight, others love them and even wish to keep them. However, for the most part, snakes are not allowed to live with humans because they are regarded as wild animals capable of doing more harm than good. Nevertheless, keeping them where they belong and away from homes might be challenging, especially if you live in areas prone to these reptiles. Our modest property is surrounded by children, dogs, and other creatures. Putting anything down (mothballs or chemicals) that may cause damage to the family or animals isn’t an option.

Most snakes are harmless and serve an important function in your house by keeping pests and rodents at bay. Still, some individuals are afraid of snakes and prefer to keep them away from their land. 

Here are some helpful natural remedies:

1. Snake Plant (Mother-in-Law’s Tongue)

A yard full of snake plants could be helpful because a snake’s senses are repulsed by the sharp leaves thereof. It is a succulent plant with pointy leaves. Unlike garlic and lemongrass, it has no odor and is easy to cultivate. 

2. Lemongrass (West Indian)

Lemongrass is an excellent plant to grow because it repels snakes, ticks, and mosquitoes. It is also beautiful. The lemongrass plant works well as a natural snake deterrent when grown in a yard.

3. Garlic Spray/Onions

Onions and garlic are considered one of the most potent snake repellents due to a chemical (sulfonic acid) that causes humans to weep when we slice onions. A mixture of these can help you repel snakes.

What Are Some Other Ways to Keep Snakes Away?

wood pile

Snakes love to hide in wood piles. If you can, elevate the wood pile off the ground.

©powerbiker1 (Thomas Kees) / CC BY-SA 3.0 de – License

While snakes in the wild serve a valuable purpose by keeping down rodent populations, some people are just unable to see the good in these slithering serpents. You especially would not want one slipping into your home unannounced! So what are some other ways to keep snakes outside where they belong, and preferably, out of your yard as well?

Below are 10 simple steps you can take to help keep the snake population down in and around your home:

  1. Sealing Up Cracks–You’ll need to search the perimeter of your home for access points, warm or damp crawl spaces, or holes in your home’s foundation or near ground level. Storm drains are also attractive to snakes. Sealing these entry points appropriately is a start to keeping snakes out.
  2. Removing Potential Food Sources–You may not have realized that bird feeders are potential problems, as they not only attract birds but also rodents and insects, both of which attract snakes. Outdoor pet food can have the same effect. If possible, feed your pets indoors and keep any outdoor seed or other foods in sealed containers.
  3. Removing Standing Water–Standing water can attract frogs, lizards, small mammals, and snakes. Try to reduce standing water as much as possible, even if it means watering your lawn less.
  4. Trapping the Snake–If there are just a few pesky snakes troubling you, you can purchase professionally-made snake traps at your local hardware store and try to snag them. Rather than killing them, consider transporting the snakes about 6 miles away and freeing them in the wild.
  5. Building Strong Fences–There are special types of fences that can keep snakes out, usually made of vinyl or tight wire mesh. Consulting your local hardware store for advice can help with this strategy.
  6. Employing Proper Landscaping and Maintenance–Snakes are drawn to areas of overgrown vegetation, loose debris, wood piles, or other areas where they can hide. Keeping your yard maintained regularly can help cut down on places for snakes to hang out.
  7. Bringing in Domesticated Fowl–This may be an extreme solution, but domestic fowl like chickens are capable of managing snake populations, especially roosters, who protect hens and chicks from danger.
  8. Luring Birds of Prey–Growing tall trees with strong branches can be a way to attract birds of prey like owls, who like to prey on snakes. Another idea would be to build a nesting box to make them feel at home.
  9. Calling Wildlife Control–When all else fails, there’s always the option of calling a professional to come remove an unwanted snake from your property. Exterminators are also valuable, as they can help rid your house of rodents, which attract snakes.
  10. Removing Debris and Keeping Woodpiles Off the Ground–This one is similar to #6, but focuses on woodpiles, which should not be left sitting on the ground if you want to keep snakes away. Elevating them will help deter snakes, as well as remove empty containers and piles of debris where snakes may gather.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/Raunamaxtor


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About the Author

I hold seven years of professional experience in the content world, focusing on nature, and wildlife. Asides from writing, I enjoy surfing the internet and listening to music.

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