Fact checked by Steven Lines, lifelong Hunter, and Outdoorsman
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Wild hogs can cause a lot of damage to the areas that they live in. From farm fields to urban backyards, many people are always looking for methods to help keep them away. One of these methods is using is mothballs. So do mothballs help to keep wild hogs away?
Mothballs will NOT keep wild hogs away from an area. Mothballs are designed to be insect repellent and do not work well with larger animals such as hogs. Because they are considered an insecticide, they are also illegal to use outdoors.
While wild hog populations need to be managed and deterred in some areas, using mothballs is not a great way to do it. But why is that? Let’s take a look into mothballs, what they are made of, and some other alternatives that can perform much better to help you keep wild hogs away.
In this post, we'll cover:
What Are Mothballs Made Of?
Mothballs are classified as a pesticide and are composed of many different chemicals. The two main chemicals are called naphthalene and paradichlorobenzene, both toxic to animals and humans alike. These two chemicals stay as solids at room temperature and are formed into balls. As they decompose, they slowly change to a gas and become fumes and smells released into the air. These odors that they produce are powerful and pungent, leading many people to believe that they can deter wild hogs.
Mothballs were designed to be used in air-tight bags with clothes to fumigate them. Manufacturers of mothballs issue multiple warnings against using mothballs for any other purpose other than their intended use. And while the chemicals are used to kill moths and other insect larvae successfully, they have many other adverse side effects. Not only can they be harmful to animals and humans, but some of their uses can also be considered illegal.
Are Mothballs Toxic?
Yes, mothballs are toxic to humans, pets, and wild animals. People can get exposed to the chemicals in the mothballs by inhaling the fumes that they put off. The pungent odor that the mothballs give off is the chemicals getting released. If you can smell the mothballs, you are being exposed to these chemicals. Pets or wild animals can mistakenly eat mothballs, which can cause serious adverse effects.
Whether it be humans or animals that inhale the chemicals or ingest the mothballs, there are plenty of adverse health effects that come along with it. Some of their substances cause minor problems such as coughing, headaches, nausea, and eye irritation. Long-term exposure or ingestion can cause more severe problems, such as hemolytic anemia, liver damage, and kidney failure.
Are Mothballs Biodegradeable?
Mothballs will slowly disappear as they turn into a gas and mix with the air. The total time it takes them to disappear completely varies on different factors, such as temperature, airflow, and size of the mothballs. But while they will eventually disappear, the damage to the plants, soil, and wildlife is irreversible. They can also contaminate water supplies and pollute the surrounding air. So while they can be considered “biodegradable,” they are not safe for the environment.
Should You Use Mothballs to Keep Wild Hogs Away?
Mothballs will not help keep wild hogs away, and as such, should not be used as a deterrent. Not only can they be toxic to the animals, but they can damage the overall environment, your pets, and even yourself. So how can you safely and effectively keep wild hogs away from your property without any toxic side effects? Luckily there are plenty of safe alternatives that can be used to deter wild hogs from a given area.
What Are Some Safe Replacements for Mothballs?
Wild hogs can be difficult to repel, but luckily there are some commercial repellants and other options that can be used to keep them away. This could mean keeping some large, outdoor dogs that can bark and scare away the pigs or put up fences and barricades to keep the wild hogs out of an intended area.
There are also hog repellents that are commercially available out on the market designed to scare off or otherwise deter wild hogs from an area. Devices that make loud sounds or have flashing lights triggered when hogs step near can help scare them away. Special sprays, liquids, and granules can also be used to give off bad smells and digestive problems to hogs. This keeps them from coming back without poisoning them or the environment.
However, the best method is to create an unwelcoming environment for the hogs. Wild hogs are generally always searching for food, so keep your trash locked up tightly in sturdy garbage bins and out of reach. Fence off your garden and shrubs to keep wild hogs from getting to them, and install motion-activated lights to scare them away. A few simple changes to your property can keep any wild hogs from ever wanting to return and solve the issue of property damage from occurring any longer.
Final Thoughts
Mothballs have long been thought to be a great way to deter animals from hanging about in an area. Wild hogs have an excellent sense of smell, so it does make sense that they may not like the odor given off by mothballs. However, mothballs have proven to be very ineffective at keeping wild hogs away and only damage the environment. If you can, avoid using something like mothballs to keep out wild hogs and use something safer and much more effective.
Steven Lines is a hunter and outdoorsman from Safford, Arizona, USA. Since he was a child, he has been hunting and fishing and has over 20 years of outdoor experience. Steven works as a hunting guide in Arizona during his spare time and runs a Youtube channel dedicated to sharing his outdoor adventures with others.
Sources
- http://npic.orst.edu/ingred/ptype/mothball/health.html
- https://extension.oregonstate.edu/news/there-are-alternatives-dangers-mothballs
- https://bugspray.com/feral-pigs.html
