I was reading that moth balls might repel squirrels so I was going to put some out in my planter, thinking it would keep the ground squirrels from eating the petunias and digging holes in the dirt. But I started wondering what would happen when the moth balls got wet, so I looked at the side of the box, and in the Directions for Use it says 'NOT FOR USE TO CONTROL SQUIRRELS, BATS AND BIRDS IN THE HOME.'

Now, what the heck does that mean? Do you think it means that although moth balls might work for keeping pests out of the house, because the vapors are considered harmful to breathe, I shouldn't leave moth balls around the garage where the rodents might come across them and be repelled? I probably wouldn't have thought of using them to control bats and birds in my home until the box put the idea into my head.

According to the package, the proper way to use moth balls is to put them in airtight containers such as chests, trunks, garment bags, and storage closets, but not garbage bags or other containers that allow the vapors to escape into the living area. I've yet to see a totally airtight garment bag, and an airtight storage closet would have to have an airlock on it.

Also according to the package, it is a violation of federal law to use the product in an manner inconsistent with the labeling. So I would be a criminal if I were to put a moth ball in my dresser to keep out Marty Mouse. But wait! A loophole! The package doesn't say I can't use it to repel mice, so maybe I'm all right. We'll try it and see if the feds come knocking at the door. Sounds like fodder for a New Yorker cartoon, but I'm sure it's already been done.