Mice can chew most things.
Luckily, there is a material that mice are not particularly happy about.
Steel wool.
It’s cheap, easy to get, and one of your best pest control weapons to control mice in your home!
But how can you use steel wool for mouse control?
In this post, I will give you 5 ways to use it.
As a reminder, mice can be very dangerous! Not only do they carry a ton of diseases, but they can also damage your home and your belongings. Even if you see one mouse, you need to take action!
5 Ways to Use Steel Wool for Mice Control
The only effective thing to do is mouse-proof your home to stop mice from getting in.
Mice can find their way through the smallest holes, so the first step is to check around your home for common mouse entry points. Any holes larger than half a centimeter should be sealed, but there’s nothing wrong with filling smaller ones.
It won’t take long for a small hole to be made larger because mice are excellent chewers.
Sealing these holes is vital! You can use steel wool for mouse control. Let’s look at ways you can use it.
1. Seal Openings
Mice can squeeze their way through the smallest of holes. The only way to keep them out is to seal the holes with steel wool mixed with a caulking compound.
Take a walk around your home to identify tiny openings. Seal these up.
2. Surround Entry Points
The open areas where pipes enter your cupboards are perfect places for mice to enter your home.
Seal them off with steel wool, and you’ll help prevent a mouse infestation.
3. Fill Cracks
Cracks in your foundations should be fixed, too, not just to keep your house safe but to keep the mice out.
A combination of caulking compound and steel wool makes the perfect filler.
While we are talking about cracks, check any brickwork you may have. You may also need to re-fill any gaps between bricks.
4. Fill Door Gaps
It is challenging to stop mice from getting under your doors, especially if they are regularly used.
You can use weather stripping, or you could wedge some steel wool underneath to keep mice out.
5. Seal Off Utility Lines
An inviting entry point for mice is where your utility lines run into your house. Make sure there are no major gaps big enough for mice.
Fill any gaps you find with a caulking compound and steel wool.
Why Do Mice Hate Steel Wool?
It’s not so much that they hate steel wool. It’s more a case of it being a material they’ll struggle to chew through. It’s fantastic for pest control!
Nothing in steel wool repels the mice, but you can use it to prevent them from getting into crevices and cracks in your home.
By stuffing any holes with this material, the mice will have a very hard time chewing their way through.
Steel wool, therefore, makes the perfect filler, along with a caulking compound.
Can I Use Any Steel Wool?
If you are considering using a steel wool mouse stopper, the good news is that you can use any!
Just head on down to your local home store and buy the stuff.
You can always buy some online if you do not want to go to your local home store. Amazon has plenty of steel wool options!
As long as it is steel, it will be difficult for mice to chew through. But, as I said above, if you use steel wool, ensure they cannot easily remove it. All your hard work may come undone if the mouse can drag it out of the way!
Can Mice Chew Through Steel Wool?
No, mice cannot chew through steel wool.
Why?
Steel wool contains tiny bits of metal, and when chewed, they cause pain for the mouse.
That is why steel wool is an excellent tool in your mouse control toolbox!
Frequently Asked Questions
Steel wool mice stopper – can they chew through it?
Mice are excellent chewers, which they enjoy, but steel wool is tough for them to chew through. It’s made from steel, after all. They might pull the steel wool out of the hole, so it’s best to mix it with a caulking compound.
Where do I put steel wool to stop mice?
Steel wool should be stuffed into any holes you find around your home, as these are potential entry points for these tiny critters. If you want to increase the effectiveness of the steel wool, mix it with a caulking compound to seal the hole. A caulking compound and steel wool also stop the mice from pulling the steel wool out of the hole and makes the patch surface smooth.
Can I use anything other than steel wool for mouse control?
The best thing you can do for mouse control is to prevent them from entering your home and reduce the things they are attracted to. Always store food correctly, seal mouse entry points and make sure your home is tidy to reduce places in your home where mice can hide.
Conclusion
Using steel wool for mouse control is an excellent idea! There are a few things that you can do with steel wool to stop mice, and we have given you 5 of the best in this post.
You can take many different mouse control measures to stop mice from getting into your home. Some work very effectively, such as steel wool and caulking compound.
To up the ante in your mouse control quest, I suggest setting up some mouse traps around the perimeter of your home to catch any mice that dare to venture near it. As you set them up outside, I suggest you use pet-friendly mouse traps. It will save you a huge vet bill!
I also have some traps set up in my attic, just so they can somehow get in.
Good luck!
can I use steel wool to keep mice from chewing the car wiring? I know peppermint is a deterrent but that’s a pain always spraying. Concerned of the metal being with the wires even though they are covered in plastic. Should I wrap the wires with elect tape first? Thanks.
Hey Bob
I wouldn’t recommend using it around wires, just in case it comes into contact with an electric wire.
Thanks
Jpwfo you mix stainless steel and caulking?
Hi
I’ve not tried combining both – but it may work. Especially if the mice like chewing through the caulking.
Thanks