What is naphthalene?
Naphthalene is made from crude oil or coal tar. It is also produced when things burn, so naphthalene is found in cigarette smoke, car exhaust, and smoke from forest fires. It is used as an insecticide and pest repellent. Naphthalene was first registered as a pesticide in the United States in 1948.
What are some products that contain naphthalene?
Mothballs and other products containing naphthalene are solids that turn into toxic gas. The toxic gas kills insects and may repel animals. There are over a dozen products containing naphthalene registered for use by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA).
How does naphthalene work?
When naphthalene gas is inhaled, the body breaks it down into other chemicals that react with cells in the body and damage tissues. How naphthalene kills moths is not understood. The odor is thought to be unpleasant enough to drive animals away in repellent products.
What are some signs and symptoms from a brief exposure to naphthalene?
People have developed headaches, nausea, dizziness, and/or vomiting after being exposed to naphthalene vapors. If someone breathes in enough of the vapor or eats a mothball containing naphthalene, they might develop hemolytic anemia. This is when red blood cells break apart, and no longer carry oxygen the way they should. Small children have also developed diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain, and painful urination with discolored urine after eating naphthalene mothballs. Dogs that have eaten naphthalene mothballs may have lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite and tremors.
What happens to naphthalene when it enters the body?
In humans, naphthalene is broken down to alpha-naphthol, which is linked to the development of hemolytic anemia . Kidney and liver damage may also occur. Alpha-naphthol and other metabolites are excreted in urine.
Is naphthalene likely to contribute to the development of cancer?
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) of the World Health Organization (WHO) concluded that naphthalene is possibly carcinogenic to humans. The U.S. EPA classified naphthalene as a possible human carcinogen, also based on animal studies.
Are children more sensitive to naphthalene than adults?
While children may be especially sensitive to pesticides compared to adults, there are currently no data showing that children have increased sensitivity specifically to naphthalene. However, small children are at greatest danger from eating stray mothballs, because they may look like candy.
What is the best way to repel snakes?
One of the most common snake repellents you’ll find is naphthalene. It is found in products like Snake-A-Way. You can go a much cheaper route and use mothballs, as this is the main component in them. Just know that mothballs are not natural. I toss a few under the porch to keep the snakes from hanging out under there. Be aware that the scent of naphthalene is very pungent and can linger for weeks and even months.
How to keep snakes away from my house?
Plant Lemongrass. It’s not known exactly how lemongrass repels snakes, but it does. Plant some around the perimeter of your home or garage as a snake repellent. Lemongrass bunches can get really large, so you’ll want to keep an eye on it.
How to get rid of snakes that are hiding in the house?
Make a spray by chopping garlic cloves and adding to oil. (Any oil will work.) Infuse the garlic in the oil for a few weeks, they strain. Transfer the oil to a spray bottle and spray around areas where snakes are known to hide.
What essential oils repel snakes?
Essential Oils. Cinnamon, clove, and cedarwood essential oils will all repel snakes. ( Find them all here .) It’s thought that snakes think the oils will melt the scales, so they stay away from them. True or not, they work to keep snakes at bay.
What plants keep snakes away?
Like lemongrass, wormwood (from the genus Artemisia) can help keep snakes away. Keep an eye on this plant too, as it can spread rapidly.
What to do if you have a snake in your house?
Plug Holes. Any holes, no matter how small, can be an invitation for a snake into your home. Plug holes using foaming sealant or tiny mesh hardware cloth or screening. Remember, having holes is a snake invitation. Plugging holes is snake repellent!
Do snakes like bluebird houses?
I plant rose bushes at the bottom of the post and wind the stems around the post. And they make for a great snake repellent. No more snakes in the bluebird house!
What is the best snake repellent?
Mothballs. Mothballs are one of the most popular snake repellent products. The active ingredient in mothballs is either naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene. Both of these products are known to be toxic to insects and mammals but are actually not effective on snakes (because they are actually reptiles). In fact, naphthalene has been proven ...
How to get rid of snakes in my yard?
Clean up any debris piles (sticks, brush, tree limbs, etc) and piles of leaves or mulch them to get rid of them. Cut the grass. Tall grass provides ideal cover for snakes to hide in. Keeping the grass cut shorter gives them less coverage and also makes them much easier to spot in your yard. Avoid birdhouses.
What are the most common pests in the yard?
Snakes are one of the most feared pests homeowners can find in their yards. The likelihood of snakes coming onto your property depends on several factors like your location, surrounding landscape, nearby water source, available food supply, and your landscaping and maintenance. While the first instinct is usually to either run or get rid of it quickly, snakes can actually be pretty beneficial to have around. Instead of killing snakes, some people prefer to try and repel them to keep them from coming into the yard in the first place, or deter them from staying there if they’ve already taken up residence. There are several snake repellent products on the market, but do any of them really work? Here are some of the most common snake repellents, the reasons why you should avoid them, and some snake prevention tips you can use around your home.
How to keep snakes from eating my pet?
Rodents are attracted to pet food and snakes are attracted to rodents. By feeding and watering pets inside or bringing their food and water bowls inside when not in use is a good way to help prevent rodents which, in turn, helps prevent snakes.
What do snakes eat?
All snakes (even venomous snakes) are beneficial and play an important role in the ecosystem. Many snakes eat garden pests like slugs and snails, helping protect your plants and flowers. Some snakes eat rodents, helping control their populations and keeping them from spreading diseases to you, your family, your pets, and your livestock. There are even studies showing where rattlesnakes help keep Lyme disease in check. If you’ve tried the tips above and you still have an issue with snakes or any other pests, contact your local pest control company for a comprehensive evaluation and treatment plan.
How to deter snakes from coming onto your property?
Once the snake is killed, it is often replaced by another snake that takes its place. A better deterrent for snakes is to spray them with a blast from the water hose. This encourages them to find a new location without harming them or anyone else.
What attracts snakes to a garden?
Garden ponds are another landscaping feature that draw snakes in. It is a readily available source of water. It also attracts frogs and other animals that snakes will gravitate to as a food source.
How many locations were field tests performed on snakes?
Field tests were performed at 24 locations in the snakes' home range and in unfamiliar habitats. In both home ranges and unfamiliar habitats application of potential repellents did not result in significant avoidance behavior.
What chemicals are used to repel plains garter snakes?
The efficacy of naphthalene, sulfur, and a commercial combination of these chemicals as a repellent against the plains garter snake ( Thamnophis radix) was investigated. Behavioral tests were conducted using 96 recently captured snakes to determine whether significant avoidance results from the presence of these chemicals. Field tests were performed at 24 locations in the snakes' home range and in unfamiliar habitats. In both home ranges and unfamiliar habitats application of potential repellents did not result in significant avoidance behavior. The snakes may be able to sense these volatile chemicals, but the stimuli were unable to alter their behavior. Based on this study, tendency to seek cover, refuge, familiar habitat, or to investigate unfamiliar areas was stronger than deterrence of the chemicals. Because the substances tested did not elicit avoidance behavior in the plains garter snake, usage of these repellents should be discouraged. Habitat modification for snake management is discussed as an alternative to the application of chemical repellents.
Can snakes sense chemicals?
The snakes may be able to sense these volatile chemicals, but the stimuli were unable to alter their behavior. Based on this study, tendency to seek cover, refuge, familiar habitat, or to investigate unfamiliar areas was stronger than deterrence of the chemicals.
Why Use Snake Repellent?
Snakes on your property is a very serious concern. Without taking the time to face them head-on, this issue can continue to grow out of control. Over time, if you don’t get rid of the snakes, you can put yourself, your family, and your pets in danger by exposing them to snake bites.
What is the best non-organic snake repellent?
2. Havahart Dr. T’s Snake-A-Way – The Best Non-Organic Snake Repellent Granules (People’s Choice)
How does snake scram Pro work?
If a snake can’t pick up any cues from the air about if it’s in a safe place, it won’t want to stick around to find out if it’s in danger. That’s how Snake Scram Pro works. It confuses snakes and makes them feel uncertain, quickly booting them off your land.
How does Bonide Snake Stopper work?
The Jacobson’s organ in a snake is the organ that allows the snake to “smell” an area, and if it detects the oils and compounds in Bonide Snake Stopper, they’ll quickly flee.
What is a screw top snake stopper?
The screw-top jar is a very convenient way to dispense Bonide Snake Stopper. The plastic container seems sturdy and dependable. It comes in many sizes, allowing you to choose how much you need. When you are done dispensing the product, you can easily replace the lid. The granules help prevent dangerous liquids from sloshing and spilling around, as well.
Why do snakes pull their tongues back?
They’re “tasting” the air, then pulling their tongue back into their mouth to determine if there is prey or threats nearby. The active ingredients in Havahart Dr. T’s Snake-A-Way granules disrupt this action, confusing the snake and driving it away.
Can you use snake repellent on your property?
When you are dealing with snakes on your property, you have several options on the types of snake repellents that you can use to eliminate them for good. Failure to get the best snake repellent for yards can be a very dangerous mistake, as many venomous snakes bites can be lethal.
Negative Findings on Snake Away
Here are some studies that didn’t find much success with the product and/or active ingredients used in the product. Marsh, R. E. 1993. Test results of a new snake repellent. Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings 11:166 tested gopher snakes and some rattlesnakes in a large room. Small snakes did not pass but large ones did.
Bottom Line
Should you use snake repellents? Are snake repellents effective. It appears the data is mixed. Personally, I wouldn’t use it. I would put my energy into therapy for those with snake phobias as well as modifying the landscape to discourage snake presence and/or the food that lures them there.
What Is A Snake Repellent?
A snake repellent is, simply put, something that repels snakes! Great for areas of the country where snakes are very common, a repellent prevents snakes from finding food and shelter on your property and potentially hurting those that live there.
How many snakes does a snake repellent work for?
The effectiveness of the product relates to how many snakes it repels and what species of snake it repels. Some repellents will work for just one snake, while others will work for a broad range of them. As we mentioned above, some formulas will also last longer than others, while others will need to be reapplied.
Why are sonic repellents so expensive?
Sonic repellents are generally more expensive because they are more durable and last longer. If you’re ready to find the best snake repellent for your home, take a look at the snake repellent products we recommend below. These are all available to you on Amazon.
What are the two types of snake repellents?
There are two main types of snake repellents — chemical repellents and sound repellents . Chemical repellants have distinct scents designed to be unpleasant for snakes, which the snake will pick up on their tongue, as they do not really use their sense of smell.
How does liquid fence repel snakes?
This snake repellent from Liquid Fence obstruct a snake’s keen sense of taste and smell, deterring them from treated areas. The granules begin working as soon as they are applied and can help to prevent snakes from accessing the property for weeks at a time.
How many acres does Victor snake repellent cover?
Apply these to the perimeter of the area you want to protect — this packet will cover up to five acres of land.
What is a sonic snake repeller?
Another snake repeller from BRISON, this sonic repeller drives away not only snakes, but mice, rats, spiders, roaches and mosquitoes, too, and is great for rodent control. It sends out electromagnetic and ultrasonic sound waves which disturb the central nervous system of all kinds of pests and drive them out of your home for good.
Is There a Safe Snake Repellent?
Most snakes are harmless and provide a valuable service around your home by keeping pests and rodents away. Still, some people find the presence of snakes alarming and want to keep them away from their property. Like mothballs, commercial snake repellents have not proven to be successful at keeping snakes away. It is also never a good idea to leave any sort of pesticide lying around where children might find it.
What happens if you swallow mothballs?
The fumes from mothballs can cause headache, dizziness and irritation to the eyes and lungs. If swallowed, naphthalene can cause a condition called hemolytic anemia. This is when red blood cells break apart and can no longer carry oxygen to all parts of the body.
What is the predator of blue bird boxes?
Snakes are a major predator of blue bird boxes,eating eggs and young….snakes have a great sence of smell and can easily detect eggs and young alike…they climb fences and the blue bird poles to enter the nest boxes…This year I am going to try using moth chrystals in a small pill container with a snap cover and fasten it to the bottom of the pole….I will drill a few holes in the botttom so the strong gases can escape…My belief is that the gas smell will mask the nest box and the snake will smell the fumes which it doesn’t like and move on…The small pill containers are 1 inch x 3 inches and fastened to the bottom of the pole…Poles are six feet tall…I will contact moth company first…
What are the dangers of mothballs?
They look identical, but some are made with the chemical naphthalene, while others are made with paradichlorobenzene. Both chemicals become a gas when exposed to air and cause the strong mothball smell.
How to keep snakes out of your house?
Remove log or trash piles close to your house. Keep the grass or other vegetation near your house closely mowed or trimmed. Tight-fitting screens and doors will keep snakes out of the house. Seal off all cracks and holes into your crawl space or basement. Check the roof for overhanging vegetation.
Why do snakes come inside?
Of course, a key reason snakes come inside is because they are hunting food – that is field mice/house mice around or in the house – so managing mice is key to managing snakes in the house, it seems.
What to do if you have a snake in your house?
Have your house checked for rodent problems. If you can eliminate the food source, the snakes will go elsewhere.
