I get the instinct to scrub everything, but honestly, I’ve had the opposite experience. Once, I used a piece of untreated cedar (no food history) to block a crawlspace, and the raccoons still went wild for it. I think sometimes they’re just curious about anything new, food scent or not. Maybe it’s less about what’s on the wood and more about the fact that something changed in their territory?
Yeah, I’ve noticed that too—sometimes critters just get curious when something’s different, no matter what it is. When I sealed off an old vent with hardware cloth, they still poked around for days. I’ve found it helps to double up: first, block the space, then sprinkle some strong-smelling deterrent (like peppermint oil or vinegar) around the area. Seems like it throws them off just enough to lose interest. Not foolproof, but it’s slowed them down in my case.
I’ve had mixed results with deterrents like peppermint oil—sometimes it works, sometimes they just ignore it. What’s made the biggest difference for me is making sure there’s zero gap, even tiny ones. If they can’t get a grip or sniff an opening, they usually move on.
Totally get what you mean about the peppermint oil—sometimes I swear it just makes my house smell like a candy shop and the mice don’t care at all. Sealing up every little gap has been the only thing that’s really worked for me too, especially in older homes where there are always weird little cracks. I did try stuffing steel wool in some spots, and that seemed to help, but it’s not exactly the most elegant solution. Ever tried those ultrasonic plug-ins? I’m skeptical, but curious if they actually do anything...
Ever tried those ultrasonic plug-ins? I’m skeptical, but curious if they actually do anything...
I’ve wondered about those too. Gave one a shot last winter in my workshop—honestly, didn’t notice much difference. The mice seemed just as determined as ever, and I still found droppings in the usual spots. Maybe it works for some folks, but I wouldn’t count on it as a standalone fix.
Steel wool’s not pretty, but it’s surprisingly effective. I’ve used it behind baseboards and around pipe entries, then sealed over with caulk. Not the most elegant look, but it keeps them out. In older places, you’re right—there’s always another weird little gap you missed. Sometimes I’ll use expanding foam for bigger holes, but you have to be careful; the mice can chew through if it’s not reinforced.
Honestly, nothing beats a thorough walk-through with a flashlight and a tube of caulk. It’s tedious, but it’s the only thing that’s really worked long-term for me. Peppermint oil just makes the place smell like toothpaste, and the mice don’t seem to mind at all.