If you’ve spotted a furry little pest traversing across your floor, chances are you’re Googling every possible way to get rid of mice.
Among the many suggestions you’ll encounter, mothballs often come up as a DIY solution. The idea is that the strong, chemical scent of mothballs can repel mice and keep them out of your house.
But before you run to your local store to stock up on them, you might want to ask yourself—do mothballs keep mice away, really?
The short answer? Not quite the way you’d hope.
While mothballs contain chemicals that can discourage pests, using them as a long-term solution for mice might not be your best bet.
But don’t worry! We’ll break it all down for you so you can make an informed choice. From how mothballs work to better alternatives for keeping mice at bay, here’s everything you need to know.
What Are Mothballs and How Do They Work?
Mothballs are small balls made of chemicals like naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene, designed to keep away fabric-munching moths. The chemicals slowly release a strong, pungent vapor that kills or repels moths and their larvae. This same smell is what many believe will deter mice.
The logic is simple—mice, like most creatures, don’t enjoy overwhelming, chemical odors. If the smell can drive moths away, it should work on mice too, right?
Well, not so fast. The key issue here lies in how mice behave versus how moths behave. Unlike moths, which tend to stick to closets and confined spaces, mice are much more resourceful, resilient, and, frankly, stubborn.
Mothballs might work in a pinch if a mouse happens to stumble across one, but they’re not potent or widespread enough to tackle an ongoing mouse problem.
Plus, the fumes need to reach high concentrations to truly repel mice—levels that can be harmful to humans and pets, making mothballs a risky option.
Why Mothballs Might Fall Short for Mouse Control
Using mothballs to control mice can seem convenient at first, but there are several reasons why they aren’t the mouse-repelling miracle they’re often made out to be.
1. Mice Are Adaptable
Mice are incredibly resourceful and adaptable creatures. If they encounter mothballs in one area of your house, they’ll simply avoid that location and find another way in. Blocking one route doesn’t eliminate the problem—it just shifts it elsewhere.
Mice are determined to eat, nest, and breed, which means they’ll work around obstacles, especially if the reward outweighs the risk.
2. Mothballs Are Toxic
While the chemicals in mothballs are unpleasant to mice, they’re also harmful to humans and pets. Prolonged exposure to the fumes can cause headaches, nausea, and respiratory issues. That’s not exactly the kind of environment you want in your home.
Worse, if mothballs are placed where kids or pets can access them, there’s a chance of accidental ingestion, which can lead to poisoning.
3. Not a Long-Term Solution
Even if mothballs temporarily keep mice away from a specific area, the effect wears off as the chemicals dissipate.
This means you’d need to keep replacing mothballs regularly—a less-than-ideal solution that racks up costs without fully solving the issue.
How To Keep Mice Away Instead
If mothballs aren’t the answer, what can you do to keep mice out of your home? Don’t worry. There are plenty of safe and effective solutions that can tackle the problem head-on.
1. Seal Entry Points
Mice can squeeze through openings as small as a dime. Inspect your home for cracks, gaps, and holes, especially around pipes, vents, and doors. Seal these with steel wool or caulk to prevent entry. Steel wool is particularly effective because mice can’t chew through it.
2. Keep Food Sealed and Out of Reach
One of the main reasons mice invade homes is food. Make sure to store food in airtight containers, especially grains, cereals, and pet food. Cleaning up crumbs and spills immediately can also go a long way toward discouraging mice.
3. Set Traps
Traps are still one of the most effective ways to deal with mice. You can choose between snap traps, electronic traps, or humane catch-and-release traps depending on your preference. Make sure to place traps in areas where you’ve noticed mouse activity, like along walls or near entry points.
4. Use Natural Repellents
If you’re looking for something safer than mothballs as you figure out how to keep mice away, consider natural repellents. Peppermint oil, for example, is a strong-smelling option that mice tend to avoid. Place a few cotton balls soaked in peppermint oil near entry points or problem areas to keep the critters at bay.
5. Call in the Pros
If you’re dealing with a severe infestation, professional pest control services can find and eliminate the root of the problem. Pros, like our team at Thunder Pest Control, can also help identify potential entry points and recommend long-term solutions to keep mice from returning.
The Verdict on Mothballs
When it comes to the question, “Do mothballs keep mice away?” the answer is mostly no. While the strong smell of mothballs may deter mice temporarily, they’re not a practical or safe solution for ongoing mouse control. Their toxicity, limited effectiveness, and need for frequent replacement make them less than ideal.
If you truly want to keep mice away, focus on solutions that address the problem at its source. Sealing entry points, maintaining a clean environment, and using safe, effective repellents or traps will yield far better results.
And if all else fails, don’t hesitate to call in the experts at Thunder Pest Control to handle the situation.
Mice may be crafty, but with the right approach, your home can be a mouse-free zone in no time.
