Aluminum foil tape is a game changer for crawlspaces, no doubt. Mesh tape always seemed like a mouse invitation to me—like, why even bother if they’re just going to chew through it in a week? I’ve had better luck with the thick foil stuff too, especially in spots where you don’t need any give. The only downside is, once you commit to that, you’re basically signing up for annual checkups. That stuff peels if there’s even a hint of moisture sneaking in.
I’m with you on the “no one-size-fits-all” thing. I’ve tried every combo—foam, caulk, mesh, foil, even that weird putty plumbers use. Mice still treat the place like their personal gymnasium. Someone told me peppermint oil keeps them away, but all it did was make my crawlspace smell like a candy cane graveyard.
Honestly, I think the best tool is just being stubborn about maintenance. Miss a spring inspection and you’re asking for trouble. And yeah, knee pads should be standard issue for anyone who owns a house with a crawlspace... learned that the hard way.
You nailed it with the peppermint oil—tried that trick myself and all I got was a crawlspace that smelled like Christmas for a week, but the mice didn’t seem to mind. I swear, they’re immune to every “natural” deterrent folks recommend. I’ve even tried stuffing steel wool in the gaps, but unless you really pack it in, they just push it aside or find a new route. Mice are relentless.
I hear you on the maintenance grind. Every spring and fall, I’m crawling around down there with a flashlight and a bucket of random supplies, patching up whatever the winter or summer did. The foil tape is solid for seams, but yeah, if there’s any hint of dampness, it starts peeling up at the edges. I’ve started doubling up with caulk on top of the tape in the worst spots—messy, but it seems to buy me a little more time before the next round.
One thing I’ve noticed is how much the seasons mess with plumbing down there. In winter, pipes sweat like crazy, and in the summer, it’s all about keeping things dry so mold doesn’t take over. Ever tried those foam pipe wraps? I used to think they were pointless, but after a couple frozen pipes one year, I’m a believer. Still, nothing’s foolproof.
Curious if you’ve found anything that actually keeps the mice out long-term? Or is it just a never-ending battle? Sometimes I wonder if it’s worth sealing every little gap or just accepting that crawlspaces are basically mouse highways no matter what you do.
Curious if you’ve found anything that actually keeps the mice out long-term? Or is it just a never-ending battle?
Honestly, I’ve yet to see a crawlspace that’s 100% mouse-proof for more than a season or two. The best luck I’ve had is with a combo of hardware cloth (the metal mesh, not chicken wire) and expanding foam—hardware cloth for the bigger gaps, foam for the tiny ones. It’s tedious, but it slows them down. I hear you on the foil tape peeling up; if there’s any moisture, it’s just not gonna hold. Have you tried using mastic instead of tape in those damp spots? It’s messier but sticks better when things get humid.
On the pipe wrap front, I used to think it was overkill too, but after one burst pipe in January, I wrap everything now. Do you insulate your crawlspace vents in winter, or leave them open for airflow? That’s one thing I still go back and forth on...
I’m with you on the hardware cloth—it’s the only thing that’s slowed the mice down for me, too. Expanding foam alone just gets chewed up. I’ve never tried mastic, but now I’m curious if it’s worth the mess. About the vents, I keep going back and forth. Last winter I closed them, but then got worried about moisture buildup. Feels like there’s no perfect answer, just tradeoffs.
I totally get the vent dilemma. I tried leaving mine open one winter and ended up with condensation on the pipes—super annoying. But closing them just made the crawlspace musty. Have you ever tried those vent covers that let a little airflow through? I’m not sure if they actually help or just make me feel better about it...