Mothballs deter snakes?

[snopes]

Comment: Moth balls placed around the outside of a house or building will
deter snakes. ????

[Mosherette]

Maybe I can use this idea to stop Bella the corn snake escaping again. If they keep a snake out, they'll also keep a snake in.

[Critterbites]

Mothballs repell a lot of things, including some people.

The active ingredient in mothballs is actually a pesticide, typically napthalene or paradichlorobenzene. The EPA links short-term exposure of humans to naphthalene to cataracts, liver and neurological damage. The agency considers the chemical a possible carcinogen.

The EPA warns that short-term exposure to paradichlorobenzene can cause nausea, vomiting, headaches and irritation. Long-term effects include anemia, skin lesions, appetite loss and liver damage.

source

Sounds like they shouldn't be put out anywhere that kids or pets might go!

[Latiam]

I was about to say that they repel me pretty effectively.

No idea about snakes, though.