How to Keep Rats Out of Your House & Crawl Space

[@maxthecat14]

have just found your video, and am pleased to see you doing what i have just done in my home.

[@phrankphooter7827]

Good video brother, only thing I can point out is they can and will chew through the foam eventually. Mortar, copper mesh, or steel wool is the way brother. Great video.

[@miked8227]

I use 1/4 in hardware cloth. It’s very ridged screen and I cut it oversized and fasten it around the opening in a few areas then I push it into the opening somewhat with my hammer handle. So after filling the gap with stationary wire mesh attached around the edges I use the gap filler and make sure I fill both sides of the screen by pushing the straw through to other side of screen first when filling up the space. Works very good against chewing rodents.

[@propertymanagementguy6619]

That’s another great approach Mike, thanks for sharing!

[@elrobo3568]

Steel wool will not last, I used it in Arizona and within 7 months it was a rust ball that disintegrated. I used stainless wool and it lasted a little longer. I finally bought 6 pound rolls of copper mesh (amazon 32 feet by 5 inches wide $16) and it is holding up the best. It also is good to use around the top or fuel tanks on my vehicles so pack rats can't get to the wires un top (that happened three times to three of my vehicles) the mesh is easier to keep in place than wool and lasts longer. I also bought 32 ounces of peppermint essential oil (amazon $40 this will last years) and mix about 1/2 ounce with 16 ounces of water in a sprayer and every week spray my engine bays and it works to keep them out. (this also keeps rodents from eating my flowers and veggies in my garden). Honda patented an electrical tape with little mice printed on it ($40 dollars a roll) it is nothing but Teflon tape and you can buy it on amazon cheap.(1 inch by 30 feet $10,39) The rodents don't like it for some reason. I have used it on F-16's for many years in the USAF as anti chaffing wrap and if there is a surplus store near you check with them for a supply. I also found that mixing one box of corn meal bread mix with an equal amount of baking soda will eliminate the rats / mice but will not harm birds, dogs etc. Good luck!

[@propertymanagementguy6619]

Thanks for the feedback El Robo. Where I live, steel wool has lasted for years, but I guess it can depend on the weather conditions and moisture levels. I do agree though that copper mesh can last longer, just a little more costly. Appreciate all the other feedback you provided!

[@carolgreen4355]

Excellent video, thoroughly covered many solutions, clear camera work, well lit. I'd like to know how long it takes for the steel wool to rust through. I live in N. Calif where it's wet. I think the copper may not rust at all, right? Great job!

[@propertymanagementguy6619]

Thanks Carol!

[@kevinraines8928]

spray foam insulation doesn't work. i've been battling mice in a recently purchased home on farmland and mice will chew through the foam very quickly. i tested this over many days and the mice would have a new hole chewed through the foam area every morning. more smaller areas silicon caulking is a good alternative.

[@propertymanagementguy6619]

Thanks for the feedback Kevin. There are about 8 types of Great Stuff insulating foam, and mice would eat through all but one pretty easily. The "Pest Block" version contains a bitter chemical that rodents can't stand. Hence you need to ensure this is the version you are using when trying to keep rodents out. I've used this in many applications going back at least 7 years and some of the first are still in tact, hence my recommendation of the product. Hope this helps!

[@scottvan1898]

The best way it’s to have couple cat in the house , let’s them play in the garage and crawl space at night time.

[@mikefinley4367]

Seal up crawlspace holes and turn two ferrets loose.

[@propertymanagementguy6619]

That’s one option!

[@mikefinley4367]

@@propertymanagementguy6619 Let the kid have ferrets. Highly entertaining but steal and hides things like coons do. They will get into upholstered furniture. Can be destructive and although descented a mild one remains. Friend with mountain cabin had rats in crawlspace. After blocking vents we turned them loose, stood by the only way out with a couple 12 gauge and blasted away as they ran out. Crazy but works .

[@thehamburglar9mm]

@@mikefinley4367 haha hell of a method! can I borrow your ferrets?

[@jan_phd]

Time to modify the COVID, to target rats.