Repelling Snakes with Moth Balls

I know it doesn't make a lot of sense that I am a gardener and I'm afraid of snakes. I know that they prey on garden pests and are actually good for my garden. I know there are no poisonous snakes in Maine. I even know these harmless little creatures deserve the good life as much as I do - but they can enjoy it somewhere else!


I'm actually getting over my fear of snakes. I walked past a little green grass snake the other day and didn't do more than a hop and skip. I even smiled as it wiggled out of sight into the grass. And I ignored the garter snake that scurried out of my backyard a few weeks ago, thinking he was on his way to greener pastures. BUT . . . last night, I couldn't ignore the big old garter snake slithering through my raised bed.


Luckily I knew right where my box of moth balls were. 


I know the experts tell us that moth balls are not designed for repelling snakes and that they pose a risk to pets and small children who may accidentally ingest them. Guess what folks? Snake-A-Way, an approved snake repellent often recommended by these same experts, carries the same warning but costs considerably more than a box of moth balls. 


I also know that the active ingredients in Snake-A-Way are naphalene and sulfur. If you've ever used Snake-A-Way (which works, by the way), you probably noticed that it smells just like ground up moth balls. There is a good reason for that. The active ingredient in moth balls is also naphalene.


You can draw your own conclusions.


I've used moth balls to repel snakes for the past few years, and unless they coincidentally slithered off at the same time - it works.


                                       How to Use Moth Balls for Snake Repellent

• Drop moth balls between rocks where snakes like to hide.
• Place moth balls around the perimeter of you garden beds.
• Toss moth balls under decks or other dark, moist areas where snakes are seen.

Use caution around children and small pets when using either moth balls or Snake -A-Way as they both pose a hazard if ingested. 

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