Mothballs are frequently suggested as a simple solution for keeping rabbits out of yards and gardens, but they are neither effective nor safe for this purpose. The strong odor, while intended to deter pests, offers no sustained protection against rabbits and creates significant health and environmental hazards when used outdoors. This common household item is regulated as a pesticide, and its use is strictly limited by law to specific indoor applications that do not include repelling wildlife. This misconception persists, leading many people to rely on a dangerous and non-functional method for pest control.
What Mothballs Are and Why People Use Them
Mothballs contain high concentrations of either naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene, which are solid chemicals that slowly turn into a toxic gas. The primary function of these products is to kill clothes moths and their larvae by sealing them in an airtight container. This process allows the chemical fumes to accumulate, ensuring the vapor concentration is sufficient to be lethal to the targeted fabric pests.
People mistakenly use mothballs for rabbits because they believe the powerful, pungent odor will naturally scare away a mammal. They assume that if the smell deters an insect, it must also deter a rabbit from vulnerable plants. This assumption overlooks the product’s specific regulatory and chemical design, which is not formulated or approved for open-air, outdoor use.
The Scientific Evidence on Repelling Rabbits
Scientific evidence does not support the use of mothballs as a long-term rabbit repellent. While the initial strong scent might startle a rabbit, the animals are highly adaptable and quickly become accustomed to the odor. This process, known as habituation, means the repellent effect is short-lived, and rabbits will soon return to feeding despite the presence of the mothballs.
Mothballs are not registered by regulatory bodies, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), for use as a rodent or rabbit repellent outdoors. The product label specifies their use only in sealed containers to protect garments. Using them in a garden or yard for pest control is considered an “off-label” use, which is a violation of federal law.
Health and Environmental Risks of Mothballs
Using mothballs outdoors releases toxic chemicals directly into the environment, creating serious health and ecological risks. Both naphthalene and paradichlorobenzene are toxic pesticides that slowly sublimate into the air. If the odor is detectable, the toxic fumes are being inhaled by humans and animals nearby.
Scattering mothballs on the ground poses a direct poisoning risk to children and pets, who may mistake the white pellets for candy or food and ingest them. Ingestion can lead to severe health issues, including gastrointestinal distress, damage to red blood cells, and liver or kidney damage. The chemicals also contaminate the soil and can leach into groundwater, causing long-term environmental pollution.
Effective and Humane Alternatives
The most effective and humane way to prevent rabbit damage involves physical exclusion and non-toxic commercial repellents. Installing a physical barrier, such as a sturdy fence, is the most reliable long-term solution for protecting gardens. A mesh fence made of chicken wire or hardware cloth should be at least two feet high and have the bottom six inches buried beneath the soil to prevent rabbits from digging underneath.
Habitat modification is a simple, proactive step that can make an area less appealing to rabbits. Removing brush piles, tall weeds, and other debris eliminates the protective cover rabbits use for shelter and nesting. For short-term protection, commercially available repellents registered for use against rabbits can be applied. These products often use ingredients like predator urine scents or bitter tastes to deter feeding without causing harm.