Let's discuss mothballs...

[WaterWitchin]

To attempt making a long story short, which usually never happens where I'm concerned, back in the day our family was involved in 4H and raised show rabbits. Yes, there is such a thing. My daughters ended up competing at the top of the national level for a number of years.

I'm still thinking I'm getting a greenhouse, although haven't heard back with a quote yet. And thinking of how to tackle greenhouse pests. Dolly was telling me about stuff like white flies (which I've never heard of), etc. I've never even seen a thrip in my life... or spider mites. I am exquisitely well-versed in scale.

Our rabbits were in each in separate cages, row upon row, single stacked, in a barn. In the summer, we would have chickens in there to scratch around in the manure and keep the fly larvae down (no chickens in supposed greenhouse). We also would hang a very small packet of mothballs about a foot or so below every third or fourth cage, as it keeps away gnats, flys, etc.

Has anyone ever tried that in either a greenhouse, or an outside venue? Asking, because I plan on trying it while my plants are outside this summer to see if it helps, and also incorporate into my greenhouse if it appears to work. Anyone see an issue I'd be unaware of?

[Ray]

I have used mothballs in the greenhouse to discourage mice. I later found that garter snakes were better.

[Diane56Victor]

No stories about insects pests but.......

My Dad uses mothballs out the front of his place to deter a local dog who escapes his garden quite a bit.
Seems to do the trick.

[SouthPark]

I know that mothballs are generally good for regions where the fumes or whatever comes out of them stay mainly in the region of protection.

Not sure what happens if the greenhouse has air-movement through it and dilutes the fumes too much. But, on the other hand, if the greenhouse traps most of the fumes, then maybe need to be careful of breathing in too much of those fumes.

[fishmom]

We used mothballs to keep spiders out of small spaces in our RV water heater and refrigerator installation. I'm not sure how well it would work in open air.

[Ray]

When we moved to NC, I made the mistake of storing wild bird seed in the garage.

I had never heard of cotton rats. (Picture something akin to a squirrel with all but the tip of its tale bare.)

Packets of moth balls on either side of the garage doors seems to keep them away.

[aliceinwl]

I use them to fumigate insect collections and they’re effective, but the space is fairly small. They have been identified as at least a potential human carcinogen so I minimize my exposure.

[WaterWitchin]

Lovely! I'll give it a go and we'll see what happens. It sure worked in the rabbit barn, which is fairly open air (top half sided, bottom half wire).

Interesting they work for mice. I need to put a few in some strategic places in our hay barn. We don't bait mice out there, as afraid the Great Pyre might eat poisoned mice.

Snakes... ahem, not gonna encourage them to live in my space. There's plenty around, and they tend to scare the Bejeesuz outta me. Thanks all, for the comments!

[james j]

I have used them in my fruit trees to deter squirrels and deer which works fairly well. The problem in a greenhouse is you will also have to smell them. I find my growing area to be a place to go to relax and enjoy the air and scents of plants.
I don't have a greenhouse YET, but when I do, I want to have some anoles and tree frogs hanging out inside.
In my sun room I use castile soaps, cedar spray or other botanical oils because they smel nice and I don't like using chemicals indoors.

Once outside for summer I go nuclear!