Will cement stop mice?

Author: Barney Gleichner  |  Last update: Sunday, October 19, 2025

Just to mention a few, mice can chew their way through wood, plastic, vinyl and aluminum. That said, you might be curious to know, "Can mice chew through concrete?" The answer is yes, but only if the concrete is not cured properly. There is one material that mice tend to shy away from – steel wool.

Does concrete stop mice?

Mice can enter the wall space where the ends of metal siding panels are open by gnawing through the weather shield or vinyl gasket. Use concrete, angle iron, or heavy duty flashing to block access to rodents.

What can I fill a hole with to stop mice?

- Steel Wool: This is a popular choice because mice cannot chew through it. Use it to fill smaller gaps. - Caulk: For cracks and small holes, silicone or acrylic caulk can be effective. Make sure it's specifically designed for exterior use if applying outside. - Foam Insulation: Expanding foam can fill larger gaps.

Can rodents chew through cement?

Rats can indeed gnaw through concrete due to the strength of their jaws and razor sharp teeth. The damage they cause to concrete can vary greatly depending on moisture, temperature, the size of both the concrete slab and the rat itself.

What material can mice not chew through?

Don't use plastic sheeting, wood, rubber or a screen to close off an area because the mice can gnaw right through it. A mixture of steel wool and caulking compound makes a good plug to seal small openings. You can't use steel wool on its own because the mice will be able to pull it out or chew through it.

How Do Mice Get in Your House?

What do mice hate the most?

13 scents that mice hate and can help you to keep them away
  • Cinnamon. This has a strong and spicy aroma that mice probably hate. ...
  • Vinegar. Mix some water and vinegar in a spray bottle to mist any areas where they have been seen more often.
  • Dryer sheets. ...
  • Cloves/clove oil. ...
  • Peppermint oil. ...
  • Teabags. ...
  • Mint toothpaste. ...
  • Ammonia.

Will duct seal keep mice out?

You can keep rodents and bugs out of your home through duct sealing. Some of the things needed for effective duct sealing include screwdrivers (for opening vent entries), safety gloves, traps, baits, fine wire mesh, torch, soap and plastic bags for disposing off the dead rodents/ bugs.

How to get rid of mice under concrete slab?

Common tactics include exclusion, trapping, baiting, habitat modification, and repellents. If DIY efforts fail, we recommend contacting a professional pest management company that can get pest populations under control quickly and prevent further damage to your concrete structures.

Will mice chew through aluminum foil?

The texture and sound of crinkling aluminum foil can be unpleasant for them. If you're asking “will mice chew through aluminum foil?” then the answer is that, while mice could chew through it, this can be harmful to them, thus deterring them from chewing further.

Can you fill rat holes with cement?

After the rats are eliminated, you can proceed to close up the holes. It is important to seal the holes even after the rats are gone, so other animals do not attempt to utilize the burrow. When there are no animals in the nest, fill it with concrete or sand.

How do you keep mice away permanently?

To discourage mice, remove all food sources by storing grains, pet food, and other dry goods in metal containers. Make sure mice won't find nesting material by storing all soft, fluffy material like fabric, rugs and blankets in heavy plastic or metal boxes.

Should I block up a mouse hole?

That being said, exterior mouse holes should be sealed with steel wool and caulk immediately upon discovering them.

What is the great stuff to stop mice?

Great Stuff™ Pestblock Insulating Foam Sealant is a ready-to-use foam sealant that expands up to 1” to take the shape of gaps, creating a long-lasting, airtight and water-resistant seal that blocks out spiders, ants, cockroaches, mice and more from entering the home without the use of pesticides.

Do dryer sheets keep mice away?

Dryer sheets do not repel mice. The belief that dryer sheets can repel mice has gained popularity over time, primarily due to the assumption that scent of dryer sheets might deter rodents. However, this is a misconception, and using dryer sheets as a mouse repellent is not a reliable or proven method.

How to mouse proof an old house?

Historic homes can be kept safe from rodents with prevention. Prevent rodents from getting in under doorways by installing rodent-proof door sweeps. And, when sealing up holes, cracks or gaps, use a rodent-proof material and waterproof sealant or caulking for additional protection.

Does Irish Spring repel mice?

Key Takeaways. Irish Spring soap's scent disrupts mice's navigation and food identification, making it an effective natural deterrent. Cut the soap into smaller pieces and place them in areas with suspected rodent activity for enhanced scent distribution.

What noise makes mice go away?

High-pitched noises may affect rodents, but research has shown the effects are often overcome within a day or so because the rodents adapt to the sounds, regardless of whether the frequency is variable, intermittent, or random.

Can mice chew through cement?

Just to mention a few, mice can chew their way through wood, plastic, vinyl and aluminum. That said, you might be curious to know, "Can mice chew through concrete?" The answer is yes, but only if the concrete is not cured properly. There is one material that mice tend to shy away from – steel wool.

What smells do mice hate?

Some of the smells that mice hate include:
  • Peppermint oil. Peppermint oil is a natural repellent that can be used to keep mice away. ...
  • Cinnamon. Cinnamon is another natural repellent that mice hate. ...
  • Vinegar. The pungent smell of vinegar is also effective at repelling mice. ...
  • Citronella. ...
  • Ammonia. ...
  • Bleach. ...
  • Mothballs.

What can I put around foundation to keep mice away?

Using caulk to seal gaps between the home foundation and ground. Seal any holes you find to stop rodents from entering. Fill small holes with steel wool. Put caulk around the steel wool to keep it in place or use spray foam.

How to fill rodent holes under concrete?

Seal it with concrete. I'd dig down a bit and maybe cover the other side in wire mesh. Mix the concrete and keep it on slightly thicker side like oatmeal. Pack it in.

How deep do mice burrow?

Burrowing Habits- Mice dig shallow holes, if they burrow at all - maxing out at around 1 foot deep, while rats are in fact prolific burrowers, digging deep and long holes to act as nests for collected food and safe places to hide.

Will caulk stop mice?

A mouse, rat or squirrel can chew through caulking material. But sealing entry points in your exterior with caulk is actually very effective at keeping rodents out. This is because rodents are drawn to tiny openings, and they will chew on them to make them large enough to enter.

What is the best deterrent to keep mice away?

Rats & mice have the habit of getting used to human related food–and waste– smells. Spraying the perimeter of your yard with garlic, clove, chili powder, peppermint, cat urine, or any other kind of rodent repellent outdoors might work in the short term.

Can Flex Seal keep mice out?

Flex Paste can be used to fill large voids to help keep rodents out of your home. It dries to a strong, flexible rubber and will not shrink, crack, or peel.

Previous article
Can a space heater overload a circuit?
Next article
Is it bad to constantly run HVAC fans?