mothballs in your walls?

[autoclassicnut]

Say that one fast,...Heh, Heh... I was talking to an old timer the other day and he said whenever he puts up a shed or an outdoor structure, he throws moth balls behind the insulation every so often to help keep the rodents from wanting to go inside the insulation. Has anyone ever heard of that before?

He said you can smell them for a while then it just stays in the walls after you put up plywood or sheetrock or O.S.B.

 

[robin1731]

I have heard of it since I was a pup, 51 now. I don't know if it really works though.

 

[diggertodd]

But mothballs do not last forever, to place them permanently behind walls. I would think if you tucked them behind cabinets/shelves where you could replace them would be better. I have read where people put the moth balls inside of an old pantyhose so they can "breathe" and then toss when no longer effective

2 suggestions I have.

#1 - ANY holes or crevices, stuff with steel wool, rodents cannot chew through that.

#2 - AND IT WORKS - I use the little plastic pop-top containers that lunch meat comes in now, poke a few holes in the top and fill with USED kitty litter I get from a friend. I read this and tried it last year for a tech/tips article I wrote. It actually works, didn't see one mouse (or droppings) all of last winter. Threw the boxes away in the spring, planning on putting more out now. The odor (I couldn't smell) of a natural enemy (cat) is supposedly a huge deterrent. 30x30 2-story shop, put 2 of the little containers downstairs and one upstairs.

my 2 cents

- digger

 

[mad57]

But mothballs do not last forever, to place them permanently behind walls. I would think if you tucked them behind cabinets/shelves where you could replace them would be better. I have read where people put the moth balls inside of an old pantyhose so they can "breathe" and then toss when no longer effective

2 suggestions I have.

#1 - ANY holes or crevices, stuff with steel wool, rodents cannot chew through that.

#2 - AND IT WORKS - I use the little plastic pop-top containers that lunch meat comes in now, poke a few holes in the top and fill with USED kitty litter I get from a friend. I read this and tried it last year for a tech/tips article I wrote. It actually works, didn't see one mouse (or droppings) all of last winter. Threw the boxes away in the spring, planning on putting more out now. The odor (I couldn't smell) of a natural enemy (cat) is supposedly a huge deterrent. 30x30 2-story shop, put 2 of the little containers downstairs and one upstairs.

my 2 cents

- digger

great idea, i also use snake sheddings never had a mouse or rat problem they last for ever.

 

[robin1731]

I like that kitty litter idea. I don't have too much problem with mice in the garage but I have seen some moles in my garage a couple times. They are easier to get than the mice though. They don't move nearly as fast so you can catch them pretty easy and relocate them. Usually to mole heaven. LOL

 

[ZRX61]

Been using mothballs in my garage for thre 12 years I've owned my home. No rodent problems here.

Curious about the comment regarding throwing them away when they no longer work??? Mothballs evaporate so if they stop working it's because they have ceased to exist..

Throwing a few around the inside of the walls during contruction seems like a good idea.

 

[Tom2]

Mothballs work pretty well.. but they do evaporate after a few months, and stink terribly of course.

I put some mouse poison in my garage this year.. nothing has touched it yet. Hopefully the garage is sealed well this year.

Put some in the shed.. Something ate them up.
Easier than cleaning up traps, as long as they don't stink too bad when they die.

 

[mikester]

You guys know what mothballs smell like ?? How did you get their little legs apart ?