Mice - Does steel wool in mouse holes rust?

[pappy19]

Rubber snakes and dryer sheets also work, plus sticky traps.

[jmcneely]

I have used Reynolds Wrap Heavy Duty for years with no problem. It easily shapes to any opening and it's relatively inexpensive to use as we always have a roll in the trailer. The aluminum doesn't rust like other products I tried. I initially used steel wool too, but as mentioned, it rusted.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Keep in mind that *any* metal (other than aluminum) wool up against the aluminum of the body is not a real good idea.

Bob

[featherbedder]

Originally Posted by pappy19

Rubber snakes and dryer sheets also work, plus sticky traps.

I tried sticky traps , all they do is walk away on legs not stuck then try to find them.

[pappy19]

I've never had that happen to me all were dead.

[waninae39]

in my sport 22FB there is a very large hole under the sink on the floor

wires, water tubes and the heater hose all enter it
i used a bunch of steel wool pads plus expanding foam to seal it off

plus my wife added 12 irish spring soap all around

[A W Warn]

Originally Posted by waninae39

in my sport 22FB there is a very large hole under the sink on the floor

wires, water tubes and the heater hose all enter it
i used a bunch of steel wool pads plus expanding foam to seal it off

plus my wife added 12 irish spring soap all around

Those holes around pipes are the air returns. When you seal the openings up there is less air flow from the furnace into the tank pan, so less heat to keep tanks from freezing during cold weather.

[waninae39]

i don't think so

i think it was just bad construction.

why. AS an engineer i know that there has to be a balance between In & out, air ,water, power etc.

the duct from the furnace entering is much larger that the sloppy hole it goes through
so some air may come out , but not enough to balance the flow

in general what you see inside the AS in done well,
what you don't see is very sloppy and sub-standard and lots of manufacturing debris and defects

my 2 cents

[wdkennedy]

We are Working through “The Normal Amount of Imperfections For The Year” on a 2007 Classic 27-FB. Boy oh Boy! Mouse access galore. I started with the big ass openings and used aluminum expanded metal. Actually material used for protecting screen doors. Cut and shaped to fit openings especially around the septic dump. Then I used the Copper Wool purchased via Amazon (China). Then for the hard to reach areas..... foam insulation in a can. Also, very important, get some barn cats, neutered, keep your food contained, Man O Man ! I can not believe the lack of craftsmanship in our 2007 vs our 1992. Does anyone have a list of “Inperfections” for 2007?

[Mollysdad]

Boating stores sell "Bronze wool" which does not rust. It's used for cleaning rust off stainless fittings and not leaving iron residue to rust.
(Yes, stainless rusts, it's not iron free.)

[Paul Dobbin]

Yes it will rust and retain any moisture it can find. Makes a MESS!

[VintageLove]

Originally Posted by Michigander

I like the idea of packing steel wool into mouse holes and can understand how this would deter them. However, I wonder if the "wool" would eventually rust out (even if not directly exposed to water but only to moisture in the air).

the steel dish scrubbers dont rust. I have used them with great success. Also, they HATE peppermint. Use peppermint oil and they will want to get as far away from that as possible

[Revery]

I have used steel wool at home and yes it will rust and 2nd the mice will eat thru it if they are determined enough to get to your food. The most effective thing I have found is those wood snap traps with peanut butter. Works every time, they love the stuff. The stainless scrubbers might work, they will stain however if exposed to some cleaning materials like ammonia.

[Cachowns]

If you use brass wool no rust problem

[92landyacht]

Originally Posted by Revery

I have used steel wool at home and yes it will rust and 2nd the mice will eat thru it if they are determined enough to get to your food. The most effective thing I have found is those wood snap traps with peanut butter. Works every time, they love the stuff. The stainless scrubbers might work, they will stain however if exposed to some cleaning materials like ammonia.

The only problem with baited traps is that it actually attracts more mice since the smell of food brings them in.

[Kanusport]

I just stored my 2019 22 inside my shop. I had some bait stations out and they were seeing action. Not surprising since the garage door seal is missing a chunk. So I fixed that and threw about 20 of those Decon bait pellets all over the place including under the airstream. Then I used four traditional mouse traps with peanut butter, two under the AS and two near the doors. It’s like fishing if they are they then they will eat. We’ll see what happens. Next up is inspecting underneath the AS for any access and plugging it for the winter.