Mouse Proofing
Mouse proofing your home or business is an essential element to keeping mice out of buildings, or at least reducing their access.
But too many people use inadequate products, such as steel wool, or use products improperly, such as expanding foam. While, steel wool is mouse proof in that mice cannot gnaw through steel (it’s too hard), its not a good material because steel rusts as is shown in the image at the right. Can steel wool be used as a temporary fix? Sure! But if you don’t change it out, it will rust and there may be some staining that accompanies the rust. Don’t say you weren’t warned.
Expanding foam, though great at filling gaps, inexpensive and easy to use, is not rodent proof (image at the left). Mice can easily gnaw through the foam making it ineffective at mouse proofing. Should foam never be used? Not at all. If you have a large void that is needs to be filled then expanding foam is a great material to accomplish this in many instances. Just make sure that you protect the foam with something solid to prevent mice from gaining access to the foam. Use aluminum flashing, wood, steel, anything solid that is difficult or impossible for mice to gnaw through. Likewise, make sure that the foam is protected from sunlight as sunlight radiation will degrade the foam.
Effective Mouse Proofing Material
So what should you use to prevent mice (Mus musculus) from entering your home or structure? While there are a couple of products on the market, I will mention one that you may not have heard about. It is called Xcluder. Xcluder material looks like steel wood but it isn’t. It is actually made of stainless steel shards embedded into a nylon cloth. Wear gloves (it contains sharp shards remember?) and use paramedic shears to cut it. Then use a flat head screw driver to wedge it into place. Works great around pipe gaps (click for a tool to identify mouse gaps), and other cracks and crevices that can be exploited by mice. Finish the job by sealing the mouse proofing fabric with a quality sealant.
Bottom Line
When performing mouse exclusion, use the right rodent proof materials for effective and long-lasting results.
Stephen M. Vantassel, CWCP, ACE, is the owner of Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. He helps people restore their balance with nature through publishing, training, consulting, and the internet. He has published numerous articles in trade and academic publications available at {Stephen’s Academia.edu Page} along with several books {WCC Store}). Listen to his podcast “Living the Wild Life” at {Pest Geek Podcast}. Please subscribe to {Stephen’s YouTube Channel} He is a sought after speaker and trainer. If you would like to have Stephen speak at your event or use his consultation services, send an e-mail to wildlifecontrolconsultant@gmail.com. Copyright All postings are the property of Stephen M. Vantassel and Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. Text (not images) may be reprinted in non-profit publications provided that the author and website URL is included. If images wish to be used, explicit and written permission must be obtained from Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC.
