When nuisance birds become a problem homeowners often search for simple DIY solutions. One suggestion you may encounter is using mothballs to repel annoying birds from yards patios, and gardens. But does scattering mothballs actually work to deter birds? And more importantly, is this technique safe? Here’s an in-depth look at the facts on mothballs as a bird control option.
How Do Mothballs Work as Bird Repellents?
Mothballs are small balls of chemical pesticide that slowly release fumes over time The active ingredients are either naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene These vapors can repel and even kill cloth-eating moth larvae and eggs, helping protect stored clothing and fabrics.
People have theorized that the strong odors emitted by mothballs may also irritate birds and drive them away. Scattering mothballs on the ground, patio furniture, or anywhere birds are roosting is supposed to make the area inhospitable. The mothball fumes overwhelm the birds’ respiratory systems, forcing them to flee and avoid that space.
Are Mothballs Effective Against Nuisance Birds?
While mothballs may seem like an easy, affordable bird deterrent, unfortunately they are not very effective in practice. Here’s why:
-
Birds can tolerate the fumes – Since birds have sensitive respiratory systems, it was assumed mothball odors would repel them. However, many nuisance bird species have shown tolerance to these chemicals.
-
The smell dissipates quickly – Outdoors, the mothball scent rapidly dissipates on the wind. Frequent reapplication would be required to maintain effectiveness.
-
Birds avoid but don’t leave – At best, mothballs may discourage birds from a particular area. But they will likely just move to other parts of the property that don’t have the odor.
-
Hazards to humans and pets – The toxins in mothballs can be dangerous to people and pets. Breathing the fumes is not recommended.
So while mothballs may temporarily shoo birds away from a specific spot, they do not provide complete bird control across your entire property. The birds will keep returning whenever the aroma weakens.
Dangers of Using Mothballs for Bird Control
One of the biggest problems with using mothballs as bird repellents is their hazardous nature, both for humans and animals. Here are some key risks to be aware of:
-
Toxic chemicals – Naphthalene and paradichlorobenzene interfere with oxygen absorption if inhaled. Exposure can cause headache, nausea, and fatigue.
-
Potential carcinogen – Naphthalene is classified as a possible human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Long term intake may increase cancer risk.
-
Pet poisoning – Dogs and cats can get sick or even die from ingesting mothballs. Just a small number of licks or bites could be toxic.
-
Environmental impact – Mothball chemicals can leach into soil and contaminate groundwater supplies. They are very difficult to break down.
-
Bird mortality – While mothballs aim to repel birds, direct contact at close range can be fatal depending on the species. The goal should be deterrence without harming them.
It’s clear that mothballs present dangers that simply outweigh any benefits for driving away nuisance birds. The potential hazards to pets and people make this an unacceptable solution for most homeowners.
Safer Alternatives to Repel Birds
If nuisance birds are causing problems in your yard, there are several more effective and eco-friendly deterrent options to try:
-
Bird netting – Installing netting over gardens, ponds, patios, etc creates physical barriers birds can’t access.
-
Motion-activated sprinklers – These devices will spray birds with a quick burst of water when triggered, teaching them to avoid the area.
-
Predator decoys – Lifelike replicas of hawks, owls, snakes, etc will make birds feel under threat and less likely to approach.
-
Reflective tape – Flash tape deterrents create the illusion of movement and disturbance, scaring birds away.
-
Sonic bird repellers – Devices emit ultrasonic frequencies, predator sounds, or distress calls to overwhelm birds and drive them away.
-
Odor repellents – Strong scents from garlic, cinnamon, mint, and more can make an area inhospitable to birds.
A combination of multiple deterrents used together often works best to cover all entry points and make your property as unwelcoming to birds as possible.
The Bottom Line – Avoid Mothballs for Bird Control
To summarize, using mothballs to repel nuisance birds is generally:
-
Ineffective – Does not provide reliable or long-term bird deterrence across a property. At best, only discourages local usage of a specific area.
-
Hazardous – The chemical fumes pose health risks to children, pets, and adults through inhalation and environmental contamination.
-
Unsafe – Can potentially be fatal to birds and other wildlife at very close proximity and in large amounts.
-
Difficult – Requires frequent reapplication as odors quickly dissipate outdoors. Messy and labor intensive.
-
Unsightly – Visible mothballs scattered all over yards and gardens has an unpleasant, unwelcoming aesthetic.
Rather than choosing this risky, controversial method, homeowners should opt for safer and more powerful bird deterrents. Talk to a wildlife control professional about effective humane options to defend your property against nuisance birds in the long term.
What Smells Repel Birds?
FAQ
What smell do birds hate?
What is the best thing to keep birds away?
Will spraying vinegar keep birds away?
Is the smell of mothballs toxic to birds?
Do mothballs repel birds?
Mothballs contain naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene, chemicals that emit a strong odor which is known to repel pests like moths and rodents. The idea behind using mothballs as bird repellent is based on the fact that birds have a highly developed sense of smell and may find the scent of mothballs unpleasant.
Should you use moth balls outside?
Aside from being ineffective as bird repellents, there are other reasons why you should avoid using moth balls outdoors: 1) It’s illegal – In many states across America including California and New York it’s illegal to use pesticide products such as moth balls outside unless used according to specific guidelines.
Are moth balls dangerous?
1) It’s illegal – In many states across America including California and New York it’s illegal to use pesticide products such as moth balls outside unless used according to specific guidelines. 2) Health hazards – Mothball fumes can be toxic if inhaled or ingested even by humans .
Are mothball fumes dangerous?
2) Health hazards – Mothball fumes can be toxic if inhaled or ingested even by humans . They can cause headaches, nausea , dizziness ,chest pains among others
Does peppermint smell bad for birds?
And though the scent of peppermint is irritating for the birds, this essential oil smells good to humans. Garlic is an organic spice with “allicin”, a chemical that deters birds but does no harm to people. The spray solution is simple to create. Just mix plain garlic with water. But for a more effective solution, mix garlic with water and vinegar.
How do I keep birds away from my house?
There are however some of the home remedies that may help, including the hanging of reflective surfaces where the birds are a problem, and adding a sticky solution to landing surfaces. Alternatively, homemade spikes and other deterrents to place on window sills and other areas can be quite effective at keeping birds away.