Yep, mothballs do repel critters, although I think there is something in them that are really bad for you (carcinogenic and all that). I had a snake in my garage that I didn't discourage because they made the mice disappear. My mom then put in mothballs - the snake disappeared but now the mice are back!
On the owls: I read somewhere that the idea behind the owls is to scare away small birds and rodents that might be snake food, therefore discouraging the snakes?
More on snakes: I also saw somewhere on the internet a suggestion to put realistic fake coral snakes in your yard to discourage other snakes. Is that a good idea, or more of a tinfoil comment?
On the owls: I read somewhere that the idea behind the owls is to scare away small birds and rodents that might be snake food, therefore discouraging the snakes?
More on snakes: I also saw somewhere on the internet a suggestion to put realistic fake coral snakes in your yard to discourage other snakes. Is that a good idea, or more of a tinfoil comment?