Expert: Henry Boyter - 12/27/2006

Question
     We put moth balls under our house to repel rabbits.  The good news is that this has worked.  The bad news is that my wife cannot tolerate the smell of moth balls.  That area is inaccessible, so we're trying to neutralize the odor - or some such solution - we can't get under there to remove them.    (moth balls are paradichlorobenzene, or napthalene)   What do you think?

Answer
These will just be guesses since I really can't see how your house is set up.  First, there is nothing to neutralize it.  You might could put a stronger odor in, but my guess is that they would just mix, giving you a bigger problem.  My only thought is to put water in the hole and try to wash them into the dirt (assuming that is what is under you house).  They will break down with less or no odor into the soil, but if your wife has a bloodhound's nose, she will still smell them until completely gone and then long after.  You also create the possibility of mold when you have water.

Of course when they are gone, the rabbits will return.  If the rabbits are getting in, why can't a person?  Just curious.  You may have to dig the dirt out to get to them.  If you can give me a better idea where they are, I'll give it another shot.