Every spring, warmer weather brings blooming flowers, longer days, and an increase in snake activity around homes. Like many homeowners, I wanted to keep unwanted visitors away from my crawl space without harming wildlife. After reading countless online tips, I decided to try a popular DIY solution: placing mothballs under my house to repel snakes.
At first, it sounded like an inexpensive and simple fix. Many websites claimed the strong smell would drive snakes away, giving me peace of mind throughout the season. Unfortunately, my experience turned out very differently than I expected. Here's what happened, what I learned, and the safer methods that actually worked.
Why I Thought Mothballs Would Repel Snakes
The idea came from a quick internet search. Several online sources suggested that mothballs could keep snakes away because of their strong chemical odor. Since I wanted to avoid traps or products that might harm pets or beneficial wildlife, the suggestion seemed like a practical alternative.
A large box of mothballs cost less than $10 at my local hardware store, making it an affordable experiment. My plan was simple: spread them throughout the crawl space and let the smell create a barrier that snakes wouldn't cross.
Looking back, I now realize that popularity online doesn't always equal effectiveness.
How I Applied the Mothballs
Wearing gloves and a protective mask, I entered the crawl space beneath my home and scattered mothballs around the perimeter. I focused especially on vents, foundation gaps, and areas where I had previously spotted snakes.
The crawl space measured roughly 200 square feet, so I spaced the mothballs every few feet to create what I believed would be an effective protective barrier.
The entire project took about an hour, and I left feeling confident that my snake problem had been solved.
The strong odour was immediate
Within hours, a powerful chemical smell began drifting into the house.
Despite being placed underneath the home, the fumes easily traveled through floor vents and small gaps. The odor quickly became overwhelming.
Instead of feeling relieved, my family experienced:
Headaches
Irritated noses and throats
Unpleasant indoor air quality
Constant need to open windows
What I expected to be a simple solution immediately became an indoor comfort problem.
Did the Mothballs Actually Keep Snakes Away?
Unfortunately, no.
Only a few days later, I spotted another garter snake near the crawl space entrance.
Over the following weeks, snake activity continued much as before.
After additional research, I discovered why.
There is little scientific evidence that mothballs effectively repel snakes outdoors or in crawl spaces. While mothballs are registered for controlling clothes moths in sealed containers, they are not approved as snake repellents.
The snakes seemed completely unbothered by the chemical odor.
The Health Risks I Didn't Know About
My biggest surprise came after researching the ingredients inside mothballs.
Traditional mothballs often contain chemicals such as:
Naphthalene
Paradichlorobenzene
These substances release fumes that can become harmful when inhaled in enclosed spaces.
Potential health concerns include:
Eye irritation
Headaches
Nausea
Respiratory irritation
Increased risks for children and pets with prolonged exposure
Because crawl spaces often connect to indoor living areas, those fumes can migrate into the home.
After learning this, removing the mothballs became my top priority.
The Lingering Smell
Even after collecting every mothball, the odor didn't disappear overnight.
The fumes had already been absorbed by:
Cardboard boxes
Holiday decorations
Wooden beams
Fabric storage containers
We had to ventilate the house for weeks while using fans and air purifiers to improve indoor air quality.
It became clear that removing the source didn't immediately eliminate the smell.
What Experts Recommend Instead
Wildlife experts generally advise against using mothballs for snake control.
Instead, they recommend focusing on prevention by making your property less attractive to snakes and their food sources.
Effective strategies include:
Seal cracks and foundation gaps.
Repair damaged crawl-space vents.
Remove piles of wood, rocks, and yard debris.
Keep grass trimmed short.
Control rodent populations.
Store firewood away from the home.
Reduce dense vegetation near the foundation.
These methods address the reasons snakes visit in the first place rather than relying on chemical odors.
Are Mothballs Legal to Use Outdoors?
Another important discovery surprised me.
In many places, using mothballs outdoors or as a general wildlife repellent may violate pesticide labeling regulations because they are only intended for specific enclosed uses.
Using them differently than directed may:
Harm wildlife
Contaminate soil
Pollute groundwater
Create unnecessary environmental risks
Always read and follow the product label before using any pesticide.
Removing the Mothballs Safely
Cleaning up the crawl space took much longer than installing the mothballs.
I wore:
Chemical-resistant gloves
A protective mask
Long sleeves
Each mothball had to be collected individually and disposed of according to local hazardous waste guidelines.
Afterward, I left the crawl space open to fresh air while running fans for several days.
The cleanup was far more difficult than the original installation.
What Actually Worked
Once the mothballs were gone, I switched to long-term prevention methods.
These included:
Sealing every visible entry point around the crawl space.
Removing brush and clutter near the foundation.
Keeping the lawn neatly trimmed.
Eliminating places where rodents could nest.
Scheduling regular crawl-space inspections.
Since making these improvements, snake sightings have become much less frequent.
Rather than relying on chemical repellents, I focused on making the area less inviting to wildlife.
Lessons I Learned
This experience taught me that the simplest-looking solution isn't always the safest—or the most effective.
If I could do it again, I would skip the mothballs entirely and invest my time in preventive maintenance from the beginning.
Sometimes protecting your home isn't about finding a quick fix. It's about understanding why pests appear in the first place and taking practical steps to reduce those conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do mothballs repel snakes?
There is little reliable scientific evidence that mothballs effectively repel snakes. Wildlife experts generally do not recommend them for this purpose.
Are mothballs safe to use in crawl spaces?
Because their fumes can travel into living areas, using mothballs in crawl spaces may reduce indoor air quality and expose occupants to unnecessary chemicals.
What attracts snakes to a crawl space?
Snakes often seek shelter, moisture, warmth, and food sources such as rodents, insects, or frogs.
What is the safest way to keep snakes away?
The most effective approach is to seal entry points, remove hiding places, maintain your yard, and reduce rodent activity around your home.
Should I call a professional?
If you regularly find snakes inside your home or crawl space, or if you're unsure whether they're venomous, contacting a licensed wildlife removal or pest management professional is the safest option.
Final Thoughts
Using mothballs to keep snakes out of my crawl space seemed like a simple, inexpensive solution. Instead, it created unpleasant odors, raised health concerns, and failed to solve the problem.
By focusing on proper home maintenance, sealing entry points, and removing conditions that attract snakes, I achieved far better results without exposing my family to unnecessary chemicals.
If you're dealing with snakes around your home, prevention—not quick chemical fixes—is usually the safest and most effective long-term solution.
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