leomara Posted August 9, 2023 Share Posted August 9, 2023 I've been using mothballs for years to successfully keep vermin out of my engine compartment on a vehicle parked outside. I kept them in small plastic containers with holes mounted on top of both inside fender wells under the hood. Now I've come to know they are combustible according to what is printed on the box. Substitutions??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocketraider Posted August 9, 2023 Share Posted August 9, 2023 I would think they'd be ok to use if there are no heat or ignition sources within a couple feet of them. Do you drive the car with the mothball containers in place? 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryB Posted August 9, 2023 Share Posted August 9, 2023 The mice printed that warning on the box😀. 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bhigdog Posted August 9, 2023 Share Posted August 9, 2023 So is gasoline........bob 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfloro Posted August 9, 2023 Share Posted August 9, 2023 1 hour ago, rocketraider said: I would think they'd be ok to use if there are no heat or ignition sources within a couple feet of them. Do you drive the car with the mothball containers in place? The flash point of Naphthalene is 174F and the autoignition temperature is 979F... I 2nd Glenn's comment. But..., removing the containers before letting the closed engine compartment heat up will provide added safety... The damn pesky vermin...! Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buick35 Posted August 9, 2023 Share Posted August 9, 2023 I've heard of putting naptha in the air cleaner. I've tried moth balls too but those pesky things are hard to catch much less neuter them! 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryan G Posted August 10, 2023 Share Posted August 10, 2023 An easy substitute for moth balls: ping-pong balls. The principle is quite simple: the mice bite into them and, the balls being empty, the rodents starve to death. Problem solved! (Mercilessly stolen from Gracie Allen!) 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mechanician Posted August 10, 2023 Share Posted August 10, 2023 More importantly, do mothballs even work for that purpose? I have cleaned out mouse nests (with nest residents) immediately adjacent to loose mothballs. Some have said camphor oil but I have yet to try. I believe that is considered flammable as well… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAV8427 Posted August 10, 2023 Share Posted August 10, 2023 Try a Vanilla scented air freshener. No signs of critters in my H/O. Yet I trap them inside my wifes rig 4 ft from it. Besides that, they dont smell like moth balls. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
30DodgePanel Posted August 10, 2023 Share Posted August 10, 2023 @leomara we don't have mice issues, we have snake and scorpion issues so a lot less mice to deal with, however, after talking to our pest control guy my understanding is that peppermint oil will deter mice. If I had a mice problem I'd probably try this method next. Here's How To Use Peppermint Tea Bags To Keep Mice Away - Pest Pointers 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leomara Posted August 10, 2023 Author Share Posted August 10, 2023 (edited) Yes Rocketraider I've been driving the vehicle with the mothballs in place with no incidents. Problem Solved: This product and it's reviews indicates it works using oils to produce an odor that mice and other vermin do not like. Wanqueen 4 Pack Rodent Repellent for Car Engines Edited August 10, 2023 by leomara (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60FlatTop Posted August 13, 2023 Share Posted August 13, 2023 When they catch on fire some people mistake the moths for fireflies. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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