Will Mothballs Keep Dogs From Pooping In My Yard?

The Short Answer is:

Yes, those little balls of chemical pesticide and deodorant used to repel moths can also be used to keep unwanted dogs away from your yard. Simply put, mothballs smell bad, meaning that they will put intruding animals off using your backyard as their personal potty.

The purpose of this article is to explain the “Will Mothballs Keep Dogs From Pooping In My Yard?“.

Youhave found dog poop in your backyard but you do not own a dog so you know it must be the neighbors dog. In addition to being gross dog poop is technically an environmental hazard according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. 

You and your family can be seriously harmed by dog poop. There are many nasty diseases in dog poop. As a final insult to injury dog poop also contains excess nitrogen which can permanently damage the lawn.

Will mothballs keep dogs from pooping in my yard?

Is there anything you can do if your neighbors dog keeps pooping in your yard? If we lived in an ideal world dog owners would keep a better eye on their pets so this wouldnot be an issue but we do not. 

Unfortunately there isnot much of a solution to this short of making an ugly scene with your neighbors or is there?

I have heard that there is indeed a potential solution to this problem and that this ‘miracle’ solution would only cost you a dollar a pop.

“So what does this solution entail?” you ask.

Apparently mothballs are the answer!

Yes those little balls of chemical pesticide and deodorant used to repel moths can also be used to keep unwanted dogs away from your yard. Simply put mothballs smell bad meaning that they will put intruding animals off using your backyard as their personal potty. 

But aren’t mothballs poisonous to dogs?

There is a catch here unfortunately and its a pretty big one. One of the main disadvantages of using mothballs to repel dogs from your yard is that they are poisonous to pets if directly consumed. Even small amounts can cause serious health risks to dogs and require them to be treated immediately. 

As a result should you use mothballs on your property to repel dogs? You simply cannot poison the pets of your neighbors (no matter how annoying they may be) just because you want them to stay out of your yard. 

A mothballs fumes are so toxic that even dogs cannot tolerate them. Not only that but mothballs can also be harmful to humans especially if they are inhaled for a long time. In addition they can be ingested by unsuspecting children who come across them! 

What are some other cons of using mothballs?

Besides the smell you should prepare yourself for it as well. Its true that mothballs have a very distinct odor that can keep animals away from your property but it may also have the unintended side effect of keeping people away as well. Other than that do not expect your neighbors to be too pleased with the smell… The smell can linger long after the mothballs have been removed and can be a real headache to deal with.

Mothballs should also be replaced on a regular basis as they typically last a maximum of one year but a minimum of two months at the most. Furthermore they dissolve in the rain so you could potentially go through a lot of them if you live in a particularly rainy climate.

 Are mothballs poisonous to plants and grass?

Short answer: Yes. In addition to being harmful to the environment mothballs usually contain either naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene. When these chemicals get into soil or plants they are very toxic and can cause a lot of damage. In fact they can cause more damage to your garden than the pests you are trying to keep out. Because of these reasons mothballs are actually illegal to use for any other purpose than what is stated on the label. 

In summary mothballs will prevent dogs from pooping in your yard however you will become known in your neighborhood as a smelly dog murderer. There will be no trick or treaters in your neighborhood next Halloween. 

What are other good natural dog repellents and why do they work?

Your first step should be to ensure that you have a fence around your property that is tall and sturdy enough. Furthermore you will want to make sure that the fence extends 6 inches underground in order to prevent dogs from tunneling under the fence. Keeping unwanted dogs out of your yard is probably your best option.

In the event that that does not work there are plenty of natural dog repellents that can be effective. Chilli peppers for example are an excellent way to keep unwanted dogs out of your yard. A dogs nose is irritated by chili peppers which should prevent them from making your yard their dumping ground in the future. 

Another great way to repel dogs is to use ammonia. As dogs hate the smell of ammonia placing cotton balls soaked in ammonia around your garden should keep them away. You should not pour ammonia directly onto the ground however as this can harm your plants. Even if you do not have ammonia on hand at the moment vinegar or rubbing alcohol will also work but again do not pour directly on your garden!!

If you do not want to leave strong-smelling substances around your garden dogs also hate the smell of citrus juice so cutting up some oranges and lemons and leaving them around will also deter unwanted canine attention.

It does not matter what repellent you choose just make sure it does not have any toxic chemicals! You must reapply your insect repellent after each time it rains regardless of what you use.

Alternatively there are a variety of dog and cat repellents on the market which work wonders at keeping your garden pest-free.

What should I do if my neighbor’s dog keeps pooping in my yard?

What should you do if despite these measures your neighbors dog keeps pooping on your property? Ensure that it is their dog instead of a stray or another animal before taking any drastic action. It may not be worth getting into a drama with your neighbor over a minor infraction if it is a one-time occurrence. If you are absolutely certain that it is your neighbors dog and that this has been going on for some time you need to confront them about it.

Owners of dogs tend to take criticism very seriously so make sure you have your facts straight before you go. They are very protective of their little pets and do not take kindly to criticism. Check with a few of your neighbors to see if this is an issue they are experiencing as well or if they have seen any animals in your yard. Be aware of any animals that may pass by your house. In addition you may want to inspect the specimen yourself in order to find out if a small or large animal left it there. 

After you have completed your detective work and determined your neighbors dog is indeed responsible for the incident find a polite way to bring the issue up with them. You should avoid accusatory language (use more “I” than “you” phrases). For example “I noticed that your dog is using my yard for its bathroom needs. Could you please pick up the mess next time?”.

Unfortunately there are some dog owners who do not believe it is their responsibility to pick up their dogs mess. Most rational people will be more than happy to oblige such a reasonable request. Additional steps can be taken if the problem persists. The law is on your side since this is your property at the end of the day. You can set up some cameras and collect evidence which you can then present to the authorities. 

Do not lose your cool under any circumstances. No matter how satisfying it may be to burn the poop on your neighbors doorstep or begin shouting matches with your neighbor this is not the answer.

Please try each of these suggestions out and see which ones work best for you! I hope you found this post helpful and good luck!

Amanda (Author)

With over a decade of experience, Amanda is a distinguished dog trainer. Her expertise in canine behavior has transformed countless lives, fostering harmonious human-canine connections. Through compassionate and personalized approaches, she empowers owners to understand and connect with their furry companions, creating a legacy of joyful tails and transformed lives.

Osvaldo Maciel (Content Reviewer)

Osvaldo Maciel, a stalwart in the field with 14 years of experience, is a revered dog trainer. His journey is defined by a profound understanding of canine behavior, shaping unbreakable human-canine bonds. Osvaldo guides owners to connect with their beloved pets, leaving an indelible mark of happiness and transformation. His legacy shines through the countless lives he has touched.