JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Neighbors in a Mandarin community say they're fed up with an annoying and smelly situation on Spurline Drive South. Hundreds of mothballs line one woman's driveway. She says it's to repel animals from her yard, her neighbors argue it's a ridiculous move that they believe is a health hazard.
"It started off with just a few and now it's got over 400 or more," said Dana Nicol.
Hundreds of mothballs, some bagged, others loose and a good amount of them are crushed into the pavement of Nicol's neighbors driveway.
"She drives back and forth and crushes them up with her car to make them stink even more," said Nicol.
Besides the smell Nicol who is 5 months pregnant is concerned about possible health hazards.
According to the National Pesticide Information Center, mothballs are not intended to be used outdoors. Its ingredients can contaminate plants, water supplies, harm wildlife and contribute to air pollution.
Kim Bristol filed a complaint with the City of Jacksonville, urging them to do something about her neighbors excessive use of mothballs.
"I've talked to nearby neighbors and we're suffering symptoms from the mothballs," said Bristol. "Respiratory, coughing, headaches and it's not just adults. It's also affecting the children. My own children included."
We visited the home at the center of the dispute. The woman inside told FCN the mothballs are to stop her neighbor's dogs from defecating in her yard. She went on to say she has no intentions of cleaning up and doesn't believe the mothballs scattered about her driveway is making anyone sick.
"We care about our children, we care about the lives in our community," said Bristol. "I'm just trying to be heard, trying to get help."
The city has not given the homeowner a citation, they visited the property on October 23 and the investigation is ongoing.
