Using Steel Wool To Seal/Close A Mouse Opening

[@evenmetish1717]

I thought that was a mouse on the thumbnail and you was about to stab it with the screw driver.🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

[@joec3247]

I am not that kind of exterminator 😄

[@evenmetish1717]

@@joec3247 😆

[@shola7987]

Me too lol

[@bloyal1513]

I thought the same exact thing 🤣🤣🤣 and I clicked on it...because, I am that kind of gal! Off with there heads!

[@romarisewilliams7429]

I thought the same thing lol

[@dameh6916]

Pre loading the caulk made this job almost fun, and knowing what weight wool and tools to use made it easy.

[@BAIGAMING]

Thanks Joe, very useful video and very easy to follow. Really great explanation!

[@LordFalconsword]

Add a couple Decon tablets on the inside (facing the wall) so they can have a terminal snack as well.

[@sacramentocheesehog9195]

Lmaooo you're terrible 😅

[@lestinakennedy9831]

Thank you so much. About to put it into practice what I just learned. God bless you!

[@missaint1029]

Thanks. 100 % solid technique & worked perfect. Easy to do w/ your method! GR8 Share

[@missaint1029]

Joe, this was in a large bedroom and it was recently being restored... mice everywhere(post clutter & nest cleared) in the day & throughout. I watched your method after watching a few others. Yours was by far the simpliest and very effective! And not ongoing talking, ty. No problems after the seal. I also changed the grade of steel wool I was using as per your suggestion... spot on!!! Thanks again!!!

[@WorldEngineersOnline]

You can also use "white cement", with or without sand mix, which would be cleaner when set.

[@kimberlygould5659]

Thank you. Needing to do this under my kitchen sink!!!!

[@mariamzahedi4767]

Thank you for uploading this video, very helpful!

[@LPKJFHIS]

You’re a hero. Great succinct video

[@jeffreyschwarz3699]

Used steel wool on radiator holes in an apartment and it worked fine 30 years ago. Just heard theyre back.

[@Transformational_change]

Great instruction! Just subscribed. Thanks so much. Wish me luck🙂

[@joec3247]

U got this Ruth, good luck 👍🏽

[@platinumluvxoxo]

Before I even saw this, I did this exact same thing on a 1 inch gap above my kitchen cupboards. 😊 For silverfish though. I used grade 3 steel wool.

[@soalegria1971]

I’ve never heard of using steel wool for silver fish, pls elaborate and thanks!

[@quickheavenseta]

Thank you for the instructions 😊

[@richpfessional]

Incredible. I just did this in the same spot of my radiator thanks to you. Appreciate it bro 🙏🏽

[@thelaststand4982]

Add broken glass.

[@wes276]

The way I did it was I sprayed expanding foam into the openings first, and then shoved the steel wool in after it. Then I sprayed expanding foam behind the steel wool. I heard scratching inside the walls so my guess is a mouse is trying to get through the foam, bites into the steel wool and hurts itself, stops, tries again, hurts itself, stops, and eventually will give up.

[@Forthemen]

Did it go

[@maryahs6750]

If a mouse manages to chew through some of the steel wool it will die. The steel wool in the stomach of any animal would have the same outcome. This is also how exterminators fix them (if you can get one that will also fix the damage)

[@3nertia]

Did that work? Is it still working?

[@4dscdriver]

I had a problem with mice that would come in under my kitchen sink, so I used this same method. The only difference is that I used the pest blocker foam. The foam helps to hold the steel wool in place.

[@fgggg8944]

​@@FuccaufSwallowing nickels is never a good thing

[@jessicaheidi6747]

Can you use insulating foam by itself around the pipe it doesnt get hot cause fire or any fumes when heaters on?

[@LeslieArnelleTV]

and just like that . peace of mind . thanks for sharing!

[@pierrettelaf9728]

I like the man voice. Very strong 💪

[@karenkramer3760]

Great channel. Thank you for the info.

[@tobsmonster2]

Great demo thanks

[@JohnSegway-RainingLamppost]

Very useful, thank you!

[@twotwentyswift]

I would also mix some D-Con mouse poison in with the steel wool and caulk. That would add another deterrent to the little devils.

[@smileywork]

is it better silicon or that white stuff u use.

[@waveafterwave0723]

They can’t eat through metal. You can also use flex seal. It hardens like a rock!! Stuff that wool in and spray it nice and good

[@joec3247]

Flex seal is way more expensive then silicone caulk, and it’s almost the same thing

[@PureChivalry]

Where did you learn that rodents can't eat through metal? Lmao

[@waveafterwave0723]

@@joec3247 I’ve never had a mouse enter through a sealed point with flex seal. I have, however, found my caulk chewed through. I stuffed the entry points with steel wool (Brillo pads will do just fine if you are in a pinch and don’t have actual steel wool pads) they will not chew through that as it will cut their mouths and absolutely damage the digestive system to shreds if swallowed. But the flex seal dries much harder than the silicone.

[@waveafterwave0723]

@@PureChivalry idiot. You think a mouse or rat is going to sit there and eat through anything harder than iron. Steel is harder than iron. Do you have any idea what you’re actually talking about before you come up sounding dumb AF especially with your ending of “lmao?” 😅

[@richardthomas1743]

That definitely should help! 👍

[@pattywykes5873]

Good idea! But what if I don’t have caulking?

[@31alka]

This is what I was looking for❤

[@leeb.7188]

You could also cut a small piece of wire mesh and staple it in place, over the the stuff you put in there. Just as an added precaution.

[@KatiaFerreira]

GREAT HINTS. Thank you

[@tone5476]

Is steel wool better than copper mesh?

[@redd605]

Foam would of made it easier for you , but I have same problem great video do you put this if you know there are in that opening? Or still using it

[@maryahs6750]

It is suggested that you make sure the mouse or mice are gone before you seal any holes. As they could still be inside your home. Or they’ll just make another hole and get in. If you have just one or two set some traps up to get rid of them and then follow this video. Unless you have a lot of mice (if you’re seeing droppings there’s multiple) then I’d call an exterminator or you’ll be setting traps for a while. But no it’s not suggested to fill the holes until they are gone. To of course prevent more rodent damage to your home.

[@joelbartor]

You got it reversed… you need to seal entry points first then set traps to kill those stuck inside , if you trap first it might be endless as they keep coming ..

[@redd605]

@@joelbartor I got rid of them by chance, as I left something behind, and it was out of the hole, l acted quickly and trapped it as it tried to go back to hole ,and disposed of it deceased .

[@kaykiekid]

Thanks! Gonna be busy this weekend with the steel wool ofcourse! 😊

[@tone5476]

What happens if ibstuff it without silicone?

[@emersonyeah]

king 👑

[@sarajeancline5276]

Is it safe to use scotch Brite stainless steel pads instead??? Are those ok against the heating pipes?

[@joec3247]

Steel wool Is What Works For Me

[@karenkramer3760]

Our ac connection outside into our house is where we suspect a mouse came in. We finally caught him in a trap. Now we got the steel wool and shoved it in tightly. For now we left it in with no silicone. Is that ok or do you think we should also put silicone over the steel wool?

[@joec3247]

If you covered the opening from the outside with steel wool, you should cover over the steel wool with waterproof silicone to protect it from the elements.

[@douglas9607]

Best mousie video. Thanks with a sub/likie

[@michaelc9248]

They make this magic stuff called expanding spray foam. It's sold in a can for about $3

[@22utoo]

Came across your video for something similar but not a mouse problem. There was a hole around the radiator pipe just like this one in your video. Superintendent covered it with spray foam. Sometimes I’m smelling fumey odours coming out of there and in my room. Is it possible it’s the spray foam?

[@joec3247]

Sorry, Cant Say

[@tipotto896]

How do i Put IT on Windows to prevent the mice to come INSIDE?

[@BlueIvysAssistant]

Steel wool is flammable, my guy.

[@QuietStorrm860]

Is it ok for silicone sealant to touch the radiator pipes? Would heat melt it in the winter?

[@joec3247]

It will take years before the heat from the radiator weathers away the steel wool and silicone combination. I have been doing this for about 8 years and I haven’t come across a case where an opening I closed using this method around a radiator pipe has had to be redone

[@edgoodwin4389]

Since steel wool is flammable, can the heat from the pipe ignite the steel wool?

[@joec3247]

No

[@PrincessofthePrincesses]

did the mouse make that hole or was it already there for the vent placed there?

[@joec3247]

It Is Very common For Openings Around The Pipes To Be left Open After installations Of Radiators, Since The Cover Hides The Opening From View Of Most People.

[@robinfa1477]

How deep does a hole have to be for mice to get through? I don't know any terns about walls. But there's a hole in a wall in my room. If I stick a pencil in there, it cannot go very far. Not because of the width/height but because there is something hard there. I don't know if it's sheetrock, concrete, fiberglass, or what. I can't see it. I want to know if anything can get through that.

[@joec3247]

So What You Are Looking For Are What Is Called Rub Marks (Rub Marks Are A Form Of Black Stain That Rodents Leave Around Holes, Floors And Walls That They Come In Contact With Often/Frequently, Caused By There Oily/greasy fur), If You Don't See Any Rub Marks Around The Hole, Chances Are That Rodents Are Not Coming In And Out Of That Hole. Look Up Images Of Mice Rub Marks To Get An Idea Of What You Are Looking For. Thanks

[@robinfa1477]

@@joec3247 Alright. Thank you.☺

[@user-cq1go7io2b]

Don't use steel because it can rust. Use copper wool.

[@pmula10]

Is it better to use a more coarse grade wool?

[@joec3247]

I prefer working with fine, i found over the years that it is easier to work with

[@beckyleung7233]

good

[@kimberlysmith3784]

I have a small hole in the floor under my cast iron radiator. Will this method catch on fire?

[@joec3247]

Never Seen That Happen Before, Don't Know If its A possibility

[@davidconroy883]

I've read that copper wire wool is better. Standard wire wool on copper pipes can cause the pipes to corrode.

[@diapia]

Is silicone safe to use near baseboard heating?

[@joec3247]

Yes

[@DC-rt2id]

Would Grip Fill be equally as good as Caulk?

[@joec3247]

I Have Never Tried Grip Fill, Let Me know How It Works Out For You

[@GSThai]

thanks

[@user-bk4ml7bs3d]

Thanks

[@artistthingq9031]

Can silicon sealing melt from baseboard heater ?

[@joec3247]

No, it’ll take a while before that happens

[@chriswildfire]

Can you jse this method for a gas stove? I think the mice are coming through gas pipe line gap.

[@joec3247]

Yes You Can

[@sall7029]

Why add the silicone on wool?

[@superduperboyx]

I want to try this. But is there a concern that the steel wool will catch on fire because of the heat from the radiator pipe, or the heater near it?

[@mikedunn7795]

You should use steel wool made with actual steel. It could be made of iron wool,which as you say will rust over time. I don't think you need the caulking,either,except possibly to insulate the hole. What deters rodents is the wool,steel or iron. They *hate* chewing the stuff.

[@akiramado9198]

Its safe to use this on the radiator?

[@joec3247]

It is safe to use around radiator pipes to cover openings around them.

[@ahmedmalik-kahn3092]

Thank you kind sir🎉

[@zippyblessed839]

Can you cover the foam with steel wool? Or do i have to remove the foam? I put foam around the pipes...unfortunately that hasnt worked

[@joec3247]

Unfortunately the best thing to do in your situation is to remove as much of the foam as possible before using my method.

[@juliaportillo5485]

My mother taught me this -- ❤

[@sergiocorrea7088]

Would they just chew right through the wool

[@veronah.6553]

For years while having cats, the Steel Wool worked well. Now sadly my cats are gone. Took a few months...mouse poop all over, eating sponges, no food out, but that hasn't stopped them. They were able to move the SW over to the side. They make 2-sided tape that's for attaching rugs to your floor, so I placed that around the SW, no longer able to move it. But even tho I don't see any holes, no food, no crumbs, still there they are. One just ran past me, with the lights on & 2 dogs! So my solution? This weekend I am adopting 3 kitties, 2 were originally Feral from the streets of Detroit. And that should end it.

[@1DJSkittles]

It doesn't cause a fire ?

[@4ndy123]

I've done this but the wool gave me a an electric shock... I'm thinking a cable may be giving power to the steel wool if that makes sense?

[@joec3247]

Scary, Please Be Carful, I Have Never Had That Happen To Me Before, And Have Covered Hundreds Of Openings This Way.

[@4ndy123]

@@joec3247 thanks for the reply. I'm going to check the cables tomorrow... Will report back if I'm alive lol

[@alanporter3858]

@4indy123 guess you didn’t make it. Rip

[@Drizzt_Do_Entreri]

@@alanporter3858 haha

[@platinumluvxoxo]

@@alanporter3858 😂

[@ktkee7161]

1:26 What does he mean? I assume he means don't push it through into a cavity, but he doesn't articulate it well.

[@Saint696Anger]

The steel wool eventually rust out depending on where it's at

[@joec3247]

That's One Of The Reasons I Use The Silicone

[@twotwentyswift]

Didn't you listen to what he said in the video ? LOL!

[@Saint696Anger]

​@@twotwentyswiftyes and those little boogers still removed it 😂 I did one hole like this and one with expanding foam. The foam did the trick for me

[@Saint696Anger]

​@@twotwentyswiftit was a rat to be fair. The foam expanded in areas the silicone cannot reach

[@twotwentyswift]

@@Saint696Anger Good stuff Thanks!

[@MS-dh9gh]

If you don’t use the glue, will the mouse be able to push it’s way around the steel wool?

[@joec3247]

No, not if you pack/jam the steel wool nice and tight. But over time the steel wool will rot away.

[@MS-dh9gh]

Do you mean rust? How does steel wool rot?

[@joec3247]

@@MS-dh9gh yes, I mean rust away

[@ryanluce7933]

@@joec3247 I just used the method you showed And I used my Chaulk but not as liberal as you showed but still used it and I packed it super tight so should that work ?

[@joec3247]

@@ryanluce7933 Sounds good to me 👍

[@elnorafrederick4126]

Thank you. It took THIS video... to show my nephew.... his maintenance man needs to LEARN SOME THINGS

[@joannaorellana8843]

Can I use sos steel wool pads

[@joec3247]

absolutely not lol

[@Lycaerix]

Steel wool + copper piping = galvanic corrosion.

[@RealStoriesFromDaPast]

Only scary part about this is you don’t know if any are in the house already 😂

[@joelbartor]

Not scary the whole point is to seal the entry points FIRST, and then you set up traps everywhere to kill the ones stuck inside the house

[@reemmansoor2204]

Is copper mesh better since it's too sharp for the rats to eat it?

[@joec3247]

Copper Mesh Should Work As Well Or Better

[@AlexMedina567]

Can pipe burn the wool, start a fire?

[@joec3247]

Never Seen That Happen Before, Don't Know If its A possibility

[@AlexMedina567]

@@joec3247 thanks

[@ShukakuTheCrazy1]

The only steel wool (well stainless steel mesh balls) were in, well, balls. Can I use those?

[@joec3247]

Sorry Never Heard Of Those, I Put A link Below To What I Like To Use www.amazon.com/Steel-Grade-Rhodes-American-Between/dp/B074MCD94T/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=steel+wool+0&qid=1631863184&sr=8-3

[@jamonconqueso6456]

Good effort. But messy

[@erikthechosenone]

If the pipe gets too hot, do you think that steel wool that you installed will get too hot someday? To the point where it is flammable and put the tenants at risk.

[@imanjones3807]

I doubt it...unless the caus flammable

[@gummybear41283]

Yes steel wool is very flammable

[@bobbyb0xes722]

The "C" stands for Cool, Joe Cool.

[@asiamiller6833]

The mouse is pulling out my steel wool lol

[@geletmote]

why not just use expandable foam?

[@sherrijones3279]

Because mice will eat right through expandable foam.

[@julianpoel9459]

Steel wool is a fire risk. Should use copper wool.

[@melissadavis18]

I’m trying this if the “professionals” that was hired can’t get the job done.

[@stevenlawrence5733]

Why not use spray foam instead?

[@joec3247]

I Personally Don't Like Handling Spray Foam

[@juhsuhcahfritz5276]

I have a bad mouse problem in my apartment. So bad that they're so used to humans, they cone right up on my BED WHILE IM LAYING IN IT IF IM LAYING STILL FOR A WHILE LIKE WHILE WATCHING VIDEOS. I've tried EVERYTHING. Glue and snap traps ( caught a few but now they know how to just go around and avoid the trap), peppermint essential oil ( they HATE PEPPERMINT. It sorta worked, however, every room has MULTIPLE mouse holes in this apartment and at 15$ a little bottle fir peppermint essential oil it gets expensive since the essential oil dries up abd wears out after a few days. I can't afford 60$/ month in peppermint oil). I tried windex( the ammonia is strong and since mice are prey, any strong ammonia means BIG ANIMAL so it said they would be scared off. But no). Ive tried moth balls, which... if you've ever smelled unto the bag of mothers balks, it's so string your eyes water so I get why they wouldn't like it. But again. Works a little bit but I there's too many holes to cover and it'S not the most effective if it were one or 2 holes, it'd work). I have always had pet rats too and git new ones a year and bit ago. Mice don't like rats as rats are territorial in the wild and quality kill, sometimes eat, mice. The scent of the rats alone didn't work so I took their soaked paper towel shredding and put at the mouse holes. Again, the smell fades after a bit and it's hard to upkeep all the holes and then your place smells like rat pee... I tries the sonic repellent that let's out a loud frequency. Now, it's effective at first. But nice get used to it. I couldn't have one in my room because it also effects rats and I don't want my rats to be driven insane. You CAN still use these if you have pet rats as long as they're in a different room and lots of walls Block it away from. Mice. To tell if it's far away enough, play some low enough music where you want to place the sonic repellant and go to where your rats are. If you can hear the music, the rats can hear the repellant. But again small apartment and it didn't seem to work on these mice. I've tried mouth wash on the floor by the opening. Since peppermint oil is so exoensive, i thought id try outh wash. I dodnt place it on cotton ballls, i literally poured a good pudde at mouse hole openings because one time, id spilled mouthwash in a barhroom like 8 year ago and thought i ckeaned it up goid eniugh. Then2 weeks later, i took a shower and stepped on to the floor. 15 minutes later, the bottom of my feet were BURNING BAD and I couldnt figure out why. Until i smelled my feet and smelled mouth wash. Though i nwver bothered my feet before, it was dried on the floor and this time, the bath mat was in laundry so i had wet feet on the floor which melted the dry layer of mouth wash and it absorbed through my skin on bottom of feet. It hurt. So i thought maybe the mice will avoid it while it wet abd when it dries, theyll walk on it, lick their paws and have their feet burn sp that theyd avoid coming back. But no. This didnt work. I tried JUST steel wool but they either pulled it out OR chewed the edges of hole around steel wool to fit past the steel wool. I'm at my wits end!! They're so bold, out in the open, passing and spitting a chewing everything I own!!! It's tiresome. My rats even GOT MITES from the mice here! ( mice climb over my bed/ on couch and I let my 4 rats play on my bed/couch). They've shit abd pissed everywhere. It's bad .... So. I bought steel wool, tinfoil, caulking annnnd I'm sad yo say it because I totally didn't want to...but...mouse poison. I'll be putting the mouse poison INSIDE each hole, tinfoil-ing it up then I'll be sealing with steel wool and caulking abd then another layer of caulking on top... hopefully this helps. I know the can just chew around the steel wool and caulking but with their little teeth it does take some time. This will be hopefully the longest Karting most effective time method for a long tong time. As a rodent lover, he ones I've caugh5 on glue traps ( I used to think glue traps were inhumane. Some glues had toxins that seeped into their skin to kill them. The regular glue traps I thought were also cruel because they'll break bones, even chew off a leg, trying to break free. Or they get stuck and slowly die of dehydration and hunger. HOWEVER. I researched it this year!! What you can do once you've caught a mouse on a glue trap is put tge goue trap with mouse on a deep container that they can't jump out of ( 2 ft or deeper. A good trashcan will do), then carefully pour ANY oil around the trap and the mouse. The oils breaks down the polymers in the glue abd the mouse can wiggle free!! You take tongs and remove trap. Now you've got a new pet mouse!!! Haha jk jk. But now you can release him outside!!)

[@katier6734]

How’s it going ! I tried everything too and they have taken over my house 🤢

[@portallama]

Jiffy cornbread mix mixed with baking soda. 50/50 equal parts. Put piles on a piece of cardboard box or some type of lid around the house.

[@juhsuhcahfritz5276]

@@katier6734 I have not seen one 8n a while but I spend most of my day just in my bedroom and dont use the living room/craft room/daughters room very often. I've gotten DILIGENT on not keeping dishes/food things in my room ( used to eat in bed a lot/ let dishes pile up. Not anymore. Every night I tidy up so I havent seen them but I know I still have them because I vacuum my couch monthly and theres always new mouse dropping under each cushion. They have chewed clothes in the laundry closet. They've peed and pooped behind every piece of furniture that's against walls ( book shelves, cabinets, end tables, tv stand, dresser etc...) and its exhausting to move every piece of furniture, vacuum poop, soak then wiped up pee, then disinfect floor, every month to stay on top of how gross it can get. They...are,,,still chewing behind each wooden piece of furniture. They have pulled all the insulation from the sides of the oven for nesting. Land lord might help with a trap or two here and there. I havent caulked the holes yet because it is... an expensive and very physical task. On top of my regular life and how tiring it is, finding the energy when I suffer from fibromyalgia, myalgic encephalitis and chronic migraines is HARD. Just found out tenant insurance does NOT cover mice damages. So all the damage to my nice furniture will not be covered. I'm being driven insane. But at least I havent seen one in a while. That helps with the stress.

[@MarTiGirL]

What kind of gloves are those. I can bet that steel wool can get into the skin - I wanna make sure to NOT get a steel splinter.

[@joec3247]

Most Gloves Will Work Prevent Splinters From Steel Wool, I Am Not Using Any Special Kind.

[@javlonbektoxirov1661]

What kind of glue is that?

[@joec3247]

silicone caulk

[@javlonbektoxirov1661]

@@joec3247 thank you

[@gregkosinski2303]

Apparently Alex Fast Dry

[@roughboy2956]

I thought in the thumbnail you were stabbing a mouse. Bummer!

[@joec3247]

quite a few people thought this, sorry I am not that kind of exterminator LOL

[@letypelayo5379]

❤❤❤ guapo!

[@semiillmatic8531]

The issue is steal wool is a fire hazard

[@joec3247]

12 plus years of doing this with no issues, many household items are/can be a fire hazard if you are going around applying direct fire to them, radiators create heat, not fire

[@amberruxpin]

Off topic but the creator has some sexy arms 🔥

[@joec3247]

😊🙏

[@SuperPussyFinger]

Seal.

[@preangelamarks8474]

Why they gotta make it that color been then made me have s heart attack

[@jeannedermody2282]

Eh...wait...

[@theodddish1846]

Used way too much product. WAY too much.

[@ytrew9717]

interesting, but you need a test (using the scientific method) to prove it's better than plaster

[@luc1ferblack]

So you could have put some wool in then a wood plate over the top instead you make a mess and call it good. why would anyone do this in there home where its visible?

[@midwestboxing4415]

Horrible, if this is your own place maybe. A individual paying rent horrible, just cut the dry wall work an be a professional it also allows you to take out the rodent mess if need be not to mention more astetic to the eye. This is what cheap/poor apartment complex or cheap rent homes. Temp fix. Thats all it is

[@Lord_Mecca]

So....

[@PureChivalry]

Yuck, what a horrible repair. Buy some spackle and just do it correctly....