Other folks would have you throw firecrackers or rocks at the birds regularly. The use is simple, as you just need to place the mothballs beside the plants and replace them when the smell starts to fade. Composition. Flag. But even if they aren’t eaten, mothballs are fumigants. Operating 24/7/365. It does keep moths away and many other pests but is also bad for us, our pets (dogs, cats, and birds) and wildlife. Proper Use of Mothballs. Naphthalene mothballs, or old-fashioned mothballs, are considered the most toxic type of mothball. Alternatives to mothballs are trapping the rodents, keeping your house clean, removing bird feeders from your yard, and moving wood or brush piles away from your home. I sprinkled mothballs on my lawn to controll the insects but then around sunset the blackbirds, starlings and robins picked them up and actually rubbed them all over their bodies, that was two day ago and I have not seen many birds since. Do mothballs get rid of birds like pigeons or sparrows? Saturdays: 8:00AM to 11:00AM, November through March Dust cayenne pepper around your home and the property line. Many have colorful plumage and sing lilting songs. Long-term exposure to mothball fumes can also harm pets and people. The Segals spent a night in a hotel to get away from the vapors in their house, but when they returned they discovered how dangerous mothballs can be. Also, children may mistake them for candy. It is used as an insecticide and pest repellent. Those containing paradichlorobenzene are safer than mothballs containing naphthalene. They include squirrels, skunks, deer, mice, rats, dogs, cats, raccoons, moles, snakes, pigeons and a variety of other animals. The birds have moved in and are setting up housekeeping. Mothballs contain toxic chemicals, namely naphthalene and paradichlorobenzene, which are unsafe for people, pets and wildlife. Mothballs are deeply ingrained in garden folklore as an extremely effective pest repellent in the garden and within structures. Luckily for me (although unluckily for homeowners like you), I’m not. Remove large trees where chipmunks or squirrels would live. Nashua, NH 03063 There are over a dozen products containing naphthalene registered for use by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA). I hope not, I love to watch thier poopy pant walk and hear them singing Live trees are often coated with chemicals such as fertilizer or insecticide. If you have a nuisance animal problem in or around your home, your best bet is to contact a pest management company, like Colonial, that is licensed and experienced in nuisance wildlife control, including trapping and exclusion. Mothballs use one of two active ingredients: naphthalene and paradichlorobenzine. Naphthalene mothballs, or old-fashioned mothballs, are considered the most toxic type of mothball. When you smell mothballs… Any such use is illegal. TOXIC & NON-TOXIC PLANTS, TREES, SUBSTANCES (Permission Is Granted to Reprint This List) PLEASE NOTE: If your bird is in distress, do NOT take time to search this list. Mothballs are meant to kill moths, eggs and larvae in airtight containers so that none of the harmful vapors are released. Not only are they toxic, but could stick to their mouth roofs also. Children, pets and wildlife may mistake them for food or candy and eat them. Both chemicals become a gas when exposed to air and cause the strong mothball smell. (603) 880-7900, 3 Executive Park Drive, Ste 9 Andover, MA 01810 Also, what may be toxic to one bird species may not be to another. Mothballs slowly turn from solids to toxic vapor. Mothballs, or related moth crystals, moth flakes, or moth cakes contain the chemicals naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene. It is always better to go with a knowledgeable professional than to risk endangering yourself or your family just to save a few dollars. It is very toxic – especially to children and infants. Both of these are hazardous chemicals that can become a toxic gas when exposed to air. Being smooth fruits, they may not stick to their mouth roof, but I suppose its their creaminess, that our pint sized pets wouldnt be comfortable with. Mothballs can be hazardous to your health, do whatever you use them for, ensure that you read the label. According to this published review titled, Naphthalene Mothballs: Emerging and Recurring Issues and their Relevance to Environmental Health, majority of exposure to naphthalene happens through inhalation. Mothballs & Landscaping. One thing is placing a small toxic substance in a protected and contained space to deter moth larvae; another thing altogether is to scatter them around to try to scare small animals or even risk poisoning them. These skilled experts will identify your particular problem, and formulate a simple plan to be rid of the birds. Myth 10: Support newly planted trees or shrubs with a stake. as a repellent for animal pests (birds, cats, deer, dogs, moles, pigeons, mice, skunks, raccoons,snakes, squirrels, etc.) They include squirrels, skunks, deer, mice, rats, dogs, cats, raccoons, moles, snakes, pigeons and a variety of other animals. Mothballs & Landscaping. Most of us appreciate birds living in nature. Some plants will just make a bird sick and some can kill. Do mothballs or ammonia help repel birds? Email. Naphthalene is made from crude oil or coal tar. (508) 485-6006, 344 Main Street Mothballs Are Classified as Toxic Fumigants. It's possible. Are mothballs toxic? So yes, mothballs are toxic when breathed in. Whether you are getting your winter clothes ready for upcoming cold weather or storing boxes of mothballs, there are some safety tips to prevent family members and pets from being poisoned. The toxic gas kills insects and may repel animals. Most of the animals ingested the moth balls, but some had exposure by inhalation and others by contact with their skin. Mothballs as Squirrel Repellents. Plastic tubs with tight lids are good choices for storing woolens and clothing. These reactions have not only been seen in humans, but can affect other animals as well. Birds can be like toddlers: They are both very oral and like to check things out by putting them in their mouths. (Suddenly having a squirrel eat a bit of birdseed doesn’t seem so bad, does it?) Cats are more sensitive to the toxic effects of mothballs, but dogs are more likely to ingest mothballs. Birds in your attic have nests noisy squawking young, and, can leave an unsightly mess and smell. Watch out: because mothballs are a registered pesticide and because of the toxicity of their chemicals, it is illegal to use mothballs or moth crystals, cakes, etc. Two of the most tried household chemicals are moth balls and ammonia. Are Mothballs Toxic To Breathe? Anonymous. Monday through Friday: 7:00AM to 6:00PM They are technically fumigants that give off vapors that can be harmful to people and pets if used improperly. Pet vet: Moth balls can poison dogs, birds. They contain naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene. In the past, mothballs were made from plant-based camphor and, later, naphthalene, a derivative of coal tar. As someone who has been trying to get rid of pigeons for many years, I can tell you that if either ammonia or moth balls worked, I would be out of a job. Always read labels on cleaning products to see if there are any safety warnings regarding birds. Ammonia, despite its pungent odor, has been a trusted household cleaning agent for many decades. HOLIDAY HAZARDS are another potential threat to our birds. Additional information can be found online at www.petpoisonhelpline.com. Mothballs (composed of either 100% naphthalene or 99% paradichlorobenzene, with naphthalene twice as toxic) Pennies (contain high amount of zinc also found in screws, bolts, nuts, etc) Potpourri (essential oils and cationic detergents) - Fumes or smells which are dangerous to birds So yes, mothballs are toxic when breathed in. How the Toxic Ingredients in Mothballs Can Affect Your Health. When exposed to the elements, a mothball will generally last for between four and six weeks. Mothballs are a pesticide no ifs, ands or buts! We get so many requests about how to get rid of pests and invariably people say to use mothballs or were given this advice from exterminators. Many people who make this huge mistake then spend thousands of dollars to get the moth ball smell out of their house. They usually contain either naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene. If you smell mothballs, you are being exposed to these chemicals. Fitchburg, MA 01420 To realize the inherent dangers involved, you must first understand what you are dealing with when considering the use of these chemicals in a way NOT suggested by the manufacturer. It says so on the packet, and there must be a reason for it… Mothballs Are Toxic. Using mothballs outside to repel snakes or to keep animals out of gardens can harm children, pets, or other wildlife. read more Mothballs and other products containing naphthalene are solids that turn into toxic gas. Learn More, 300 Brickstone Square, Ste 201 "Often, mothballs are used in these locations to control pests other than clothes moths," Stone said. Two products in moth balls make them toxic. Moth balls are a caustic mixture of poisonous chemicals, blended together for the purpose of killing bugs (moths). Just like children, when pet birds are out unsupervised, this habit of tasting things can get them into trouble. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Exposure to large quantities of either of these chemicals can lead to headaches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or eye and nose irritation and coughing. People exposed to mothballs for an extended time can suffer more serious liver and kidney damage. Over time, they dissolve into a toxic gas. Leaving a source of mothballs or ammonia around the yard or garden to try and repel the creatures is simply irresponsible, as it can easily cause harm to children or domestic animals. It is important for owners to be aware of which plants are safe to birds. To realize the inherent dangers involved, you must first understand what you are dealing with when considering the use of these chemicals in a way NOT suggested by the manufacturer. Clinical signs of mothball poisoning include vomiting, mothball-scented breath, pale or brown gums, weakness or lethargy, difficulty breathing, tremors, seizures, and organ failure (e.g., liver, kidneys). They help keep our yards free of bugs, like fleas, ants, and mosquitoes. Bedford, NH 03110 Portsmouth, NH 03801 That’s why they head for the atticit reminds them of their tree-roosts and you don’t go up there very often. One mothball can cause serious harm if eaten by a small child. This is the problem. Get some of those sticky fly paper things you hang up that stick flying insects to them when they are attracted to the sticky stuff on them. Mothballs are meant to kill moths, eggs and larvae in airtight containers so that none of the harmful vapors are released. Just about monthly we get reports of new items that are toxic to our pets. The animals do not like the smell of moth balls. Each active ingredient can cause different health effects if the exposure is high enough. Long-term exposure to mothball fumes can also harm pets and people. There also a number of “natural” repellents those home remedy specialists swear by. These possible side effects are definitely too serious a risk to take just to be rid of a few birds. “Often, mothballs are used in these locations to control pests other than clothes moths,” Stone said. When mothballs are used inside airtight containers, as the label requires, the vapors released by the mothballs build up and kill, or at least repel, clothes moths. Mothballs can help control a mice infestation, but there are some disadvantages to using mothballs. (603) 436-6000, Copyright © 2020 Colonial Pest Control, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The wind chime can help by the way, but exclusion doors are the only way you’ll really get rid of these flappy nuisances. However, birds have been seen rubbing more than 40 other items over their feathers, including lemons, walnuts, apple peels — and mothballs. 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