Keeping the critters out: weird but effective tricks?

Title: Keeping the critters out: weird but effective tricks?

- Cinnamon for ants is a classic. I’ve used it around baseboards and it’s surprisingly effective, though I’ve noticed you have to reapply after a few days, especially if there’s any humidity. I’ve also tried coffee grounds - mixed results, but worth a shot if you’ve got leftovers.

- The apple cider vinegar + dish soap trap for fruit flies is basically the gold standard. I’ve tried red wine in a pinch (leftover from a party) and it worked almost as well, but the vinegar seems to pull in more.

- For spiders, I’ve experimented with peppermint oil. Here’s what I found:
- It does seem to deter them, but only if you’re pretty diligent about reapplying every few days. The scent fades fast.
- I mixed about 10 drops of oil in a spray bottle with water and hit the window frames and corners. It made the house smell like a candy cane factory, which isn’t everyone’s thing.
- Honestly, sealing up cracks and vacuuming webs regularly made a bigger difference than the oil.

- For rodents, I’ve heard people swear by dryer sheets or Irish Spring soap shavings, but I haven’t seen much proof. What actually worked for me was steel wool stuffed into any gaps around pipes or vents. Mice can’t chew through it, and it’s cheap.

- One oddball trick: bay leaves in the pantry. Supposedly keeps weevils and some other bugs out of flour and grains. I was skeptical, but haven’t had an infestation since I started tossing a few in each container.

- If you’re dealing with persistent bugs, sometimes it’s less about repelling and more about removing what attracts them - crumbs, standing water, pet food left out overnight, etc. Not glamorous, but it works.

I’m always a little wary of anything that sounds too good to be true, but sometimes these weird hacks actually do the trick. Just takes a bit of trial and error to see what sticks.

Really appreciate how thorough you’ve been with testing these out. The steel wool trick for rodents is one I’ve relied on for years - nothing else seems to physically stop them as well. I’m with you on the peppermint oil; it’s nice in theory, but sealing gaps and regular cleaning always seem to make the biggest difference. Bay leaves in the pantry are a classic - my grandmother swore by them, and I haven’t had a weevil problem since I started doing it myself. Sometimes the simplest solutions are the most effective, even if they sound a bit odd at first.

- Steel wool’s a classic, but I’ve had better luck with copper mesh - doesn’t rust, lasts longer, and rodents hate chewing through it.
- For sealing, expanding foam works but only if you cover it with something chew-proof.
- Bay leaves are great for weevils, but for ants, diatomaceous earth sprinkled around entry points has been surprisingly effective.
- Peppermint oil smells nice, but I’ve never seen it actually deter anything for long.
- Regular inspection and maintenance always beat out any “miracle” solution in my experience.

Title: Keeping The Critters Out: Weird But Effective Tricks?

Copper mesh is a good call - I used steel wool in my old place and it rusted into a mess after a year. For spiders, I tried peppermint oil diluted in water and sprayed around baseboards. It smelled nice for a day, but the spiders didn’t seem to care much. What actually helped was vacuuming corners and under furniture more often. Not glamorous, but it cut down on webs. For mice, I’ve heard ultrasonic repellents work for some people, but I’m skeptical - seems like plugging holes is still the best bet.

Honestly, I’ve never had much luck with those ultrasonic things either - feels like a gimmick. If you want a more sustainable fix, try caulking gaps with low-VOC sealant. It’s not flashy, but it works long-term and doesn’t introduce weird chemicals indoors.

If you want a more sustainable fix, try caulking gaps with low-VOC sealant. It’s not flashy, but it works long-term and doesn’t introduce weird chemicals indoors.

That’s a solid approach - sealing up the gaps is usually my first move too. Have you ever tried those door sweeps or brush strips for under doors? I’ve found they make a surprising difference, especially in older homes. Curious if anyone’s had luck with natural deterrents like peppermint oil or cedar chips... do those actually work, or just smell nice?

Have you ever tried those door sweeps or brush strips for under doors? I’ve found they make a surprising difference, especially in older homes.

Yeah, door sweeps are a game changer - especially with those old, drafty thresholds. I always go for the kind you can trim to fit tight. As for peppermint oil, I’ve tried it... mice seemed to ignore it after a week or two. Cedar chips worked better for moths than anything else, honestly. If you really want to keep critters out, nothing beats a good physical barrier and sealing up every little gap you can find.

Physical barriers really are the MVP. I’ve tried peppermint oil too - smelled nice for a bit, but the mice didn’t seem to care after a while. One thing I’d add: check around pipes and utility lines. Those tiny gaps are sneaky entry points. Caulk or steel wool can make a big difference.

Steel wool is definitely underrated. I once renovated a 1920s bungalow, and the tiniest crack behind the stove turned out to be a mouse superhighway. Plugged it with steel wool and mortar - problem solved. Never had much luck with the scented stuff either... mice seem pretty unfazed by spa vibes.

Steel wool is like the unsung hero of home defense, honestly. I’ve tried all those fancy ultrasonic gadgets and “natural” sprays - total waste for me. But steel wool? Mice treat it like an electric fence. Once had a little guy chew through a $40 bag of organic granola but wouldn’t touch the wall after I patched it up with steel wool and caulk. Maybe they’re just picky about their snacks...

Steel wool definitely works, but I’d argue it’s just a band-aid if you don’t address the root cause - gaps and poor sealing. I’m all for low-toxicity fixes, but honestly, nothing beats actually sealing up every crack with proper materials. Steel wool’s just a stopgap if you ask me.

Title: Keeping the critters out: weird but effective tricks?

I get where you’re coming from about steel wool being a temporary fix. It’s definitely not a substitute for actually sealing things up right. Still, I’ll admit, I’ve used it more times than I can count - especially in those “I’ll get to it later” spots that somehow turn into “I never got to it” spots. There’s something oddly satisfying about jamming a wad of steel wool into a hole and knowing nothing’s getting through there tonight, even if it’s not exactly elegant.

But yeah, long-term, nothing beats a proper seal. I’ve found that expanding foam works wonders in weird gaps, but you have to be careful - too much and you’re chiseling it off later. Caulk is great for the smaller cracks, though I’ve learned the hard way that some critters will chew right through the cheap stuff. I started using the silicone-based stuff in the basement after a mouse managed to tunnel through my first attempt. Lesson learned.

Funny story - one summer, I thought I’d outsmart the squirrels with a mix of steel wool and spray foam in a soffit gap. Next thing I know, there’s a squirrel on my porch roof, looking at me like I’d personally offended it. Turns out, they’re more persistent than I gave them credit for. Ended up replacing the whole section of fascia just to be sure.

At the end of the day, it’s a bit of both - quick fixes for tonight, real repairs for the weekend (or whenever you finally get around to it). If anyone’s got a trick that keeps squirrels from holding grudges, I’m all ears...

“I’ve found that expanding foam works wonders in weird gaps, but you have to be careful - too much and you’re chiseling it off later.”

Honestly, I’d skip the expanding foam for anything rodents are targeting. Mice and squirrels will chew right through it if they’re determined. Here’s what’s worked better for me:

- Sheet metal patches for bigger holes - nothing chews through that.
- Hardware cloth (1/4” mesh) under soffits or vents.
- Copper mesh instead of steel wool. Doesn’t rust, lasts longer.

Steel wool’s fine for a night or two, but if you want peace of mind, go with something they can’t bite through. Squirrels especially... they’re relentless.

Title: Keeping the critters out: weird but effective tricks?

I’m right there with you on skipping the foam for rodent issues. I tried it in the garage last fall - looked solid for about a week, then found little bits of yellow foam all over the floor and a mouse nest behind my tool bench. Lesson learned.

Here’s what’s worked for me, step by step:

1. First, I walk the perimeter and look for any gap bigger than a pencil. Mice can squeeze through ridiculous spaces.
2. For anything bigger than a dime, I use tin snips to cut some leftover aluminum flashing and screw it right over the hole. Not pretty, but nothing’s getting through that.
3. Smaller gaps get stuffed with copper mesh - agree 100% on that one. I used steel wool once and it rusted into a gross mess after a wet winter.
4. If there’s a vent or soffit, I sandwich hardware cloth between the vent cover and siding. Takes a bit more time but keeps everything out, even wasps.

One thing I’d add - if you’re sealing up an area where you’ve had critters before, make sure they’re all out first. I blocked off a crawlspace vent too soon once and ended up with something scratching around in there for days before it finally chewed its way out (not fun at 2am).

I get why people like expanding foam - it’s fast and fills weird shapes - but if you’re dealing with anything determined (squirrels are basically tiny chainsaws), metal is just more reliable.

Also, if you’re worried about looks, you can paint over the patches or tuck them behind trim where possible. Not winning any design awards here, but at least I’m not sharing my house with rodents anymore.

Curious if anyone’s tried those ultrasonic repellers? I always see them at hardware stores but never heard if they actually work...

I’ve tried those ultrasonic repellers in my basement and honestly didn’t notice any difference. Maybe the mice just didn’t care, or maybe the sound just doesn’t travel into all the nooks where they hide. I’d say your metal + mesh approach is way more reliable. Only other “weird” trick I’ve used is peppermint oil on cotton balls in tight spots - smells nice, but not sure it actually keeps anything out for long. If someone swears by the sonic gadgets, I’d love to hear about it, but so far, I’m not convinced.

Keeping The Critters Out: Weird But Effective Tricks?

I hear you on the ultrasonic repellers. I’ve seen them in so many homes, but honestly, I’ve never noticed a real difference either. It’s like the mice just ignore them or find a way around. The metal and mesh method is tried and true - sometimes the old-school fixes really are the best.

Peppermint oil does make things smell fresher, but I’ve found it’s more of a temporary cover-up than a solution. If anything, it just makes the basement less musty for a bit. I’ve had clients swear by stuffing steel wool into gaps, though - cheap and surprisingly effective if you can find all the entry points.

It can get frustrating when you try all these “miracle” gadgets and nothing changes. You’re definitely not alone in feeling skeptical about them. Sometimes it’s just about layering a few practical tricks and accepting that there’s no magic bullet.

It can get frustrating when you try all these “miracle” gadgets and nothing changes. You’re definitely not alone in feeling skeptical about them.

Yeah, I’ve been down that road too. Tried the ultrasonic things in a couple of my properties - honestly, I think the only thing they repelled was my hope. Mice just kept showing up like nothing had changed. I get why people want to believe in a quick fix, but it’s rarely that simple.

Steel wool in gaps is probably the most effective low-tech trick I’ve seen. It’s not glamorous, but it works if you’re thorough. The catch is, you have to find every single hole, and in older houses that can feel like a never-ending game of whack-a-mole. I once spent an entire weekend crawling around a crawlspace with a flashlight and a bag of steel wool... not exactly my idea of luxury living, but it did the job.

Peppermint oil? Makes the place smell like a spa for about two days, then back to normal. I’m convinced the mice just treat it like air freshener.

One thing that actually surprised me was using copper mesh instead of steel wool in some spots - doesn’t rust and seems to hold up better over time. Not sure if it’s technically “weird,” but it’s one of those upgrades that feels worth it if you’re already putting in the effort.

At the end of the day, layering methods is really all you can do. Seal up what you can, keep food sealed, and accept that there’s always going to be some maintenance involved. Anyone selling a miracle solution is probably just selling snake oil... or at least something about as useful as those ultrasonic gadgets.

Copper mesh is a great tip - I switched to it after dealing with rust stains from steel wool in a basement wine cellar. Not glamorous, but it’s held up for years. I’ve also found that keeping pet food sealed tight makes a bigger difference than I expected.

Copper mesh is a great tip - I switched to it after dealing with rust stains from steel wool in a basement wine cellar. Not glamorous, but it’s held up for years.

That’s the thing - sometimes the best solutions aren’t flashy. I’ve used copper mesh in crawl spaces and it’s outlasted every other material I tried. It’s not pretty, but it works. And you’re right about pet food. I used to think sealing it was overkill, but after one winter with mice, I don’t mess around anymore. Funny how the little stuff makes a big difference.