Keeping the critters out: weird but effective tricks?

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

I’ve heard a lot about peppermint oil, but I’m not totally convinced it’s a long-term fix. Maybe it masks the scent trails for a bit, but do mice actually avoid it if they’re hungry enough? I tried it in my old apartment and they just moved to a different corner. The steel wool/caulk combo seems more reliable, though I wonder if expanding foam with mesh inside would be easier for odd-shaped gaps. Anyone else run into issues with that stuff breaking down over time?

I’ve actually had mixed results with expanding foam, especially in older homes where the gaps are all sorts of weird shapes. It’s convenient, but over a couple years I noticed it started to crumble or pull away from the edges, especially if there was any moisture nearby. Steel wool with caulk holds up better for me, though it’s a pain to fit into tight spots. I get the appeal of mesh in foam, but I’d still trust something more solid for long-term peace of mind. Peppermint oil just made my place smell like candy and didn’t do much else...

Peppermint oil just made my place smell like candy and didn’t do much else...

Yeah, I tried the peppermint thing too - felt like I was living in a giant Tic Tac. Didn’t slow the mice down one bit. For weird gaps, I’ve had luck with a combo: jam steel wool in first (use a screwdriver handle to really wedge it), then squeeze some cheap caulk over it. Not pretty, but it’s held up better than foam for me, especially where there’s moisture. Mesh is good if you can get it to stay put, but honestly, sometimes the old-school stuff just works.

jam steel wool in first (use a screwdriver handle to really wedge it), then squeeze some cheap caulk over it. Not pretty, but it’s held up better than foam for me, especially where there’s moisture.

Funny you mention that - I've done the steel wool trick too, but I always wonder if the mice just get smarter and find a new route. Ever tried copper mesh instead? Supposedly it doesn’t rust out like steel wool, but I’m not sure if it’s worth the extra cost. Also, anyone else notice expanding foam just turns into mouse confetti after a while?

I’ve actually had better luck with hardware cloth than either steel wool or copper mesh, especially in older homes where gaps are bigger. It’s not the prettiest, but you can tuck it in and paint over it if you care about looks. I do wonder if the copper mesh is just marketing hype - does it really last that much longer? And yeah, expanding foam is basically a mouse snack bar after a year or two...