“Sure, steel wool rusts, but if it’s tucked away and you’re on a tight budget, it does the trick for a few years.”
- Steel wool + foam is decent for a quick fix, but I’ve seen mice chew through rusted steel after a season or two.
- If you want something longer-term and still affordable, try stainless steel scrub pads from the dollar store—way less rust, still tough for rodents.
- For bigger gaps, I’ve also used hardware cloth (1/4" mesh) cut to size, then foamed around the edges. Not as cheap as steel wool, but lasts way longer.
- Just make sure whatever you use is packed in tight. Mice are little Houdinis...
That’s a solid list of tricks. I’ve run into the same thing with steel wool—works for a bit, but once it rusts out, mice can get bold. The stainless scrub pads are a great hack, especially if you’re trying to keep costs down. I’ve even seen folks double them up for bigger holes, and it seems to hold up.
Hardware cloth is probably my favorite for long-term fixes, even if it’s a bit more work up front. If you’ve got old houses or barns, you know those critters will find any gap you missed. I’ve noticed if you don’t pack stuff in tight, they’ll just push at the edges until they wiggle through. Sometimes I’ll dab a little caulk around the hardware cloth, just to make it less tempting.
Anyway, you’re not alone fighting the Houdini mice. It’s always a bit of trial and error, but you’re on the right track with these ideas.
Title: Keeping the critters out: weird but effective tricks?
- Hardware cloth’s my go-to too—takes a bit more elbow grease, but it holds up way longer than steel wool.
- I’ve tried spray foam with mixed results. Mice just chew right through unless you back it with something tougher.
- Stainless pads are handy, but I’ve had them rust eventually if there’s any moisture. Maybe I’m in a damper spot?
- Ever mess with copper mesh? Heard it’s pricey, but supposedly mice hate it and it doesn’t rust out.
Curious if anyone’s had luck with ultrasonic repellents or if that’s just snake oil...
Copper mesh is solid—pricey, yeah, but it doesn’t corrode and mice seem to avoid it. I’ve layered it behind hardware cloth in a few spots and haven’t seen any chew-through yet. About ultrasonic repellents...I’ve tried two brands and honestly didn’t notice a difference. Maybe they work for some pests, but rodents just ignored them here. Has anyone tried sealing with eco-friendly caulks or tapes? Wondering if there’s a green option that actually holds up.
I’ve been down the eco-friendly caulk rabbit hole a bit—tried a soy-based sealant last fall around a couple of basement vents. It was easy to work with and didn’t stink up the place, but after one winter, I’m seeing some cracking where the foundation flexes. Not sure I’d trust it for spots that get a lot of temperature swings or moisture. Anyone had better luck with those “green” tapes? I keep seeing them in the hardware store but can’t tell if they’re just marketing or actually tough enough for critters.
Also, I’m with you on ultrasonic repellents. Total dud for me. The mice just walked right by the thing like it wasn’t even there. Wonder if those peppermint sprays are any better, or just another gimmick...