Steel wool against mice, rats and other rodents

Mice and rats crawl through tiny cracks and holes to penetrate your house, shed or office building. They make nests in unused corners and can even survive on a few single breadcrumbs or seed remains. You probably do not even realize that there are a few mice in your house, but if you do nothing about it you will soon suffer from a real mouse plague. Prevention is always better in this case.

The best and most permanent way to stop mice in your home is "exclusion" or "blocking them out", eliminating any openings through which they can enter. It's especially important you mouse-proof any areas where you store, process or use food. If you know where the mice or rats come from, you can close these passages with steel wool.

It is important to clean the places where mice like to make nests and to remove their food sources.

Seal cracks and holes with stainless steel wool

Use stainless steel wool grade MEDIUM so that mice, rats and other rodents do not make them larger. Make sure that, in addition to looking for holes in your walls, you also check electrical and plumbing entrances, doors, gutters, vents and chimneys for rodent access. Seal any opening that is larger than 6 milimeters (one-quarter inch). Although mice can't get through them, it might be a good idea to seal holes that are smaller than this, as well. Mice are known for chewing their way through things, so before long that small hole might just be big enough for a mouse to get through.

Stainless steel wool is very suitable for closing these gaps and holes. You can also use this steel wool around pipes and heating pipes. Stainless steel wool will not burn due to the heat of the tube. A tube is usually not hot enough for this.

An additional advantage is that the steel wool continues to ventilate. This can be important in some steel constructions where a seam or crack is necessary and it is nevertheless desired to seal it against vermin. Note that the air flow is minimal.

Mice & rats under tiles

Sometimes mice and rats enter the house through the space under the roof tiles. If the holes are not too big you can use the Mouse & Rat STOP under the tiles. If the holes are very large, it is wise to first use a bird scraper and apply the steel wool. An additional advantage is that wasps don't get through either.

Benefits of steel wool against mice, rats and other rodents

• Steel wool cannot be gnawed
• Easy to process and possibly remove again
• No dangerous chemicals or poison required
• Permanently ventilating
• Cost-saving solution. More affordable than Xcluder.

If there are certain strict requirements with regard to ventilation, steel wool may not be suitable and you should choose our Mouse & Rat STOP mesh. But in most cases the use of stainless steel wool against mice and other vermin is sufficient.

Frequently used application of steel wool against rodents

• Close seams and cracks in houses & barns
• Close holes in electricity and lighting posts in marinas
• Holes in power and lighting posts on campsites
• Sealing bottom sheet pile profiles with steel wool