by B. Rosie Lerner
Purdue Extension Consumer Horticulturist
Never use insecticides for unlabeled purposes
Q: I have a cat that has been digging up the soil in my houseplants. I read in a magazine that mothballs can be used to keep rabbits out of the garden so I’m wondering if I can use them on the top of the soil to discourage him. — C.L.
A: In a nutshell, don’t do it! While it is not uncommon to see mothballs recommended for repelling rodents and other animal pests, it is a dangerous, illegal practice. Mothballs, flakes, and crystals are EPA-registered insecticides and they were not intended for use in the manner you suggest in either the indoor or outdoor garden. They in fact pose serious health risks to cats, dogs, humans and perhaps even the plant you were trying to protect. In addition to the risk of ingestion, exposure to eyes and skin and inhalation of the fumes can lead to serious illness or injury. Further, it is illegal to recommend their use in a manner that is inconsistent with the pesticide label.
Mothballs have a high percentage of active ingredient, either naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene. These chemicals vaporize at fairly low temperatures, so are particularly dangerous indoors at room temperature. Naphthalene is the more toxic of the two, but both have great potential for causing harm. These products should only be used according to their label directions. Like all other pesticides, keep them out of reach of children and pets.
For more information on this common misuse of moth repellent products, see http://www.ag.purdue.edu/entm/wildlifehotline/Pages/pesticides.aspx and http://npic.orst.edu/ingred/ptype/mothball/index.html.
Q: The daffodil bulbs that I planted this fall are sprouting and showing some foliage above the ground now in early January. Is there anything I should do protect them through the rest of winter? — D.G., Tippecanoe County
A: Lots of gardeners noticed their bulbs coming up since the weather in January had been so mild with little, if any, snow cover in many areas of the state. The most dramatic response is with early flowering bulbs, such as tulips, daffodils and crocus. These plants may have shown a bit of their foliage above ground, especially those that are planted near buildings or other warm, protected locations.
These leaves were likely nipped back once the temperatures dropped back down below freezing. In most cases, flower buds will remain protected inside the bulb below ground. If there are warm temperatures for an extended period, the flower buds also may break out. Some of the really early spring bulbs such as snowdrops may have already done so. Those blossoms that do show their heads can also be nipped by a hard freeze. However, the bulbs themselves will survive and come back next year, even if the flowers don’t make it to spring this year.
There’s not much a gardener can do to prevent nature from taking its course. Mulching over the plants now might smother them and would actually encourage growth by warming the soil further. And we have lots more winter to get through before we know how the plants will fare.