Q: Chipmunks are destroying my vegetable garden. Can I use mothballs to get rid of them?
• Marion from Austintown
A: Marion, no, that is not a good idea. Using mothballs in a vegetable garden may seem like a quick fix to a chipmunk problem, but it is not. Mothballs in a vegetable garden can pose risks to your plants and your health. There are several reasons why mothballs should not be used in vegetable gardens.
Mothballs contain chemicals such as naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene, which are highly toxic. These chemicals are designed to repel moths and other pests by releasing toxic fumes. When used in vegetable gardens, these chemicals can be absorbed by the soil and plants. The plants you want to eat.
The chemicals in mothballs can harm the environment. If placed on the ground, the chemicals can seep into groundwater and affect the quality of water sources.
The chemicals can alter the pH of the soil and make the garden less conducive to plant growth. Mothballs are harmful to the beneficial insects in our gardens that help control insect pests in vegetables.
Pets, especially dogs and cats, are especially susceptible to mothball poisoning if they ingest them or come into contact with them. And mothballs are not effective at controlling chipmunks.
According to Penn State University, no fumigants are approved for use in chipmunk control.
Mothballs are a pesticide. The use of mothballs is regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
They are intended for use indoors to control textile pests, not for outdoor use. Improper use of mothballs can result in fines and other legal consequences.
As with any pesticide, it is important to read and follow label directions before use and to consult all local regulations and guidelines.
Instead of mothballs, there are other ways to combat chipmunks in the vegetable garden.
One way is to keep them away using chicken wire or wire mesh. Or you can use a large snap trap (rat trap) to keep them under control.
If you use snap traps, place them in places where children and pets cannot find them. You can also contact professional trappers to keep them under control.
For more information on mothballs, visit https://go.osu.edu/mothballs.
For more information about chipmunks, visit https://go.osu.edu/chipmunks.
David Sprague is an OSU Extension Master Gardener volunteer in Mahoning County. The plant and pest clinic is open Mondays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon at the OSU Extension office in Canfield.
