Do Mothballs Repel Cats? [+Safer Control Options]

What do mothballs do to cats? Does it keep them from pooping in your yard? Find out!

Spaces such as gardens among others are considered out of bounds to pets.  This is because they could easily ruin plants thus negating your effort.

The normal response will be to apply an appropriate repellent to ward off pests such as cats from such areas. Now, the type of repellent is what we’ll seek to discuss.

Will Mothballs Repel Cats?

Are cats repelled by mothballs?

This is a key question we seek to find answers to. Mothballs have been widely used as a pesticide. However, whether they’re best for keeping your garden free of cats remains to be seen.

Stray Cats are Always the Target

Most pet lovers can control their cats as they can easily exclude them from certain areas of a property. However, it’s more challenging to keep stray cats off your property.

These may end up messing your garden or expose your cat to the risk of diseases among other problems.

Still yet, a stray cat belonging to a neighbor may consider your home a playground. For all of these scenarios, taking necessary action will be the right thing to do.

This includes the use of an appropriate repellent

Why Cats May be Considered a Problem

There are several reasons why a cat needs to be repelled.

First off, cats left to roam can cause issues within a neighborhood especially when they frequently get into fights with your cats. This is likely to strain relations among neighbors.

Another problem posed by stray cats is their carnivorous nature. Now their feces are known to harbor pathogens and parasites. Manure resulting from such isn’t safe for food cultivation.

If you’re a bird lover, stray or roaming cats may kill songbirds including other bird species. These are considered pollinators.

About Mothball Cat Control

To do justice to our discussion, it’s necessary to first understand what mothball is about. This helps readers having no idea of the pesticide to have a fair idea of what it is.

The name alone conjures up an image in the mind of the reader of how it’s shaped.

This pesticide is actually in the form of small balls and a solid which is released through sublimation. That is the process by which a solid turns into a gaseous state.

You may also find mothballs in the form of flakes, cubes, powder, and cakes.

Mothballs are known to have varying chemical compositions. Some mothballs may be composed of camphor while others are infused with paradichlorobenzene (PDB) a known insecticide.

Still, a mothball may be composed of naphthalene.

Mothball pesticides have been used widely to kill pests such as moths and a wide range of insects especially those in stored clothing. It has also been applied as a repellent on animals such as mice, snakes, and several others.

So, are cats included among animals repelled by mothballs, stick with us to find out shortly.

Mothballs Are Cat Repellents

Mothballs are popular cat repellents used around areas you don’t want these animals encroaching. If you’re seeking results, you’ll certain get the deterrent effect you want.

However, the issue of safety arises. While mothballs do repel cats, they’re also considered toxic to them.

Now the main aim of applying a cat repellent such as mothballs isn’t to harm or poison them. Rather, it’s meant to simply deter them. Unfortunately, mothballs do more than just repelling.

Safety Concerns

In cases where a neighbor’s cat encroaches on your territory, keeping it out with mothballs wouldn’t be a good idea. The reason is simple; mothballs are considered toxic to cats.

It might cause all sorts of health problems to these cats.

To understand its toxicity, you’ll need to consider its toxic ingredients and how cats react to such. With such knowledge, you’re able to find safer methods of repelling cats from your surroundings.

The Toxic Ingredients of Mothballs

Remember we mentioned certain chemical ingredients as being commonly used in making mothballs. Any mothball product you find either contains paradichlorobenzene or naphthalene.

Although both of these are considered toxic to cats, naphthalene presents the most danger.

A wide range of conditions is bound to develop when cats are exposed to this toxic pesticide. Mothball poisoning mostly happens when cats ingest them.

With ingestion come vomiting, possible kidney damage, possible liver damage, anemia, lethargy, shaking or tremors, and nausea.

 You’ll Need to Reconsider Your Repellent Strategies

Repelling cats using the most humane way possible is the best option to take. With mothball use, your cats are likely to get in harm’s way by simply ingesting this toxic pesticide.

In situations where a cat has ingested mothballs, it’s best to seek urgent medical attention.

Pay a visit or contact your veterinarian for proper treatment. If you’ve noticed your cat exhibiting any of the mentioned symptoms you mustn’t induce vomiting or other measures without the direction of a vet.

Safer Ways to Repel Cats Besides Mothballs

With mothballs out of the question as a safe cat repellent, what other alternatives are there?

Several! Cats can be repelled in many safe and natural ways. You can begin by exploiting their strong sense of smell and also making your garden beds less inviting.

Consider creating a barrier, and also the use of motion-activated sprinklers. Also, consider washing up cat urine or scent.

• Exploit their Strong Sense of Smell

Cats have an excellent sense of smell. You can use this to deter them by growing a few plants they love to hate around your garden. Such cat-repelling plants include lavender, lemon thyme, rue, and pennyroyal, etc.

You may also want to throw citrus peels on garden soils as a cat repellent.

• Make Your Garden Beds Less Inviting

A safe way to repel cats is by making your garden beds prickly.

Cats hate to walk on such surfaces and will keep their distance. Great ways to achieve this include the use of egg shells, holly cuttings, placing chicken wire on soil, and scattering stone mulch.

• Create a Barrier

Have you considered erecting a barrier around your garden? Install a wire meshing fence with an overhang. Such a fence should be about 1.8 meters high.

• Use Motion-Activated Sprinklers

Cats hate surprises and will keep off of areas with motion-activated sprinklers. Plus, they don’t want to get wet simply by walking into your yard or garden.

• Wash Up Cat Urine or Scent

Cats are territorial creatures and will readily mark out their territory with urine. You can reclaim your space by having the area washed up. Consider using an eco-friendly liquid soap for such action.

The moth will repel cats but isn’t a great option to consider. We’ve stated the reasons why this pesticide isn’t safe as a cat repellent. Also included are safe alternatives to mothballs.