How Wire Wool Saved This Home from a Costly Mice Infestation

Posted by

July 7, 2025

On July 7, 2025

A quiet scratching behind the walls. A few chewed food packets in the pantry. Droppings under the sink. These are the telltale signs that mice have moved in—and they rarely come alone. Left unchecked, a small rodent problem can quickly snowball into thousands of pounds in property damage. But there's one simple, affordable material that can stop it all in its tracks: wire wool.

The True Cost of a Mice Infestation

Mice may be tiny, but their presence in your home can have outsized consequences—both financially and structurally. While one or two sightings might seem harmless at first, what lurks behind walls and under floorboards can lead to severe, long-term damage.

Chewed Wires and Fire Hazards:
Mice have a constant need to gnaw, and unfortunately, electrical wiring is one of their favourite chew toys. Exposed wires can easily lead to short circuits or, worse, spark fires that put your home and family at risk. Many house fires have been traced back to rodent-related electrical damage.

Damaged Insulation and Furniture:
Mice often burrow into insulation to build nests, ripping it apart and reducing its effectiveness. This not only increases your heating and cooling bills but also creates ideal hiding places for more rodents. Upholstered furniture, bedding, and storage boxes are also prime targets for nesting.

Contaminated Food and Health Risks:
Mice are known carriers of bacteria and diseases such as Salmonella and Hantavirus. They frequently contaminate food supplies by gnawing through packaging and leaving droppings or urine behind, posing serious health risks to anyone in the household.

Structural Damage from Nesting and Gnawing:
From wooden beams to plastic piping, mice can and will gnaw through various materials to create access routes or expand their nests. Over time, this undermines the structural integrity of your home and can cause plumbing leaks or weakening of critical support elements.

The Financial Toll:
The hidden cost of a mice infestation adds up quickly. You might need to:

Hire pest control services for treatment and follow-up visits
Replace damaged insulation, wiring, or plumbing
Throw away contaminated food
Repair gnawed furniture or fittings
Cover the cost of temporary relocation in severe cases

Why Mice Get In So Easily

It’s astonishing how little space a mouse needs to invade your home. These nimble creatures can squeeze through gaps as small as 6 mm—roughly the width of a pencil. What might seem like an insignificant crack or crevice to you is a wide-open doorway to a mouse.

Common Entry Points Include:

Around plumbing or cables entering the home:
Where pipes or wires pass through walls, mice often find unsealed gaps that give them direct access indoors. These overlooked spaces are common around sinks, boilers, and utility meters.
Under doors and floorboards:
Gaps beneath doors—especially garage, basement, or back doors—are prime entryways for mice. Similarly, loose or warped floorboards can offer hidden pathways into your living space.
In lofts, attics, and basements:
These areas are quiet, warm, and rarely disturbed—making them perfect nesting grounds. Mice can enter through roof tiles, attic vents, or cracks in the foundation, then spread into other parts of the home.
Near vents, drains, or wall gaps:
Air bricks, dryer vents, and poorly sealed wall openings create easy access points. Drains and pipe outlets are particularly vulnerable if not fitted with protective barriers.

Once inside, mice waste no time. If the environment offers warmth, shelter, and even a modest food source, they will begin nesting—often multiplying rapidly. A single breeding pair can produce dozens of offspring in just a few months.

Enter Wire Wool: Small But Mighty

Wire wool, also known as steel wool, is made of sharp, intertwined metal fibres. It’s flexible, durable, and—most importantly—nearly impossible for mice to chew through.

When stuffed into cracks, holes, and openings, wire wool becomes a natural barrier. Rodents trying to bite through it are met with discomfort or injury to their teeth and mouths, forcing them to turn away and look elsewhere.

Unlike expanding foam or caulk alone, which mice can gnaw through, wire wool creates an impenetrable defense.

How to Use Wire Wool to Mouse-Proof Your Home

All you need is a pair of gloves, a flashlight, and some coarse-grade wire wool. Here’s a quick step-by-step:

Inspect your home – Check under sinks, behind appliances, around pipe entry points, in attics, and near vents.
Stuff wire wool into holes – Use a screwdriver or gloved fingers to pack the wool in tightly.
Secure larger gaps – For bigger holes, pair wire wool with caulk or expanding foam to hold it in place.
Recheck regularly – Especially in colder months when mice are more likely to seek shelter indoors.

Tip: Don't use wire wool near live electrical connections—it’s conductive. In those spots, consult a professional for safe sealing options.

Benefits of Wire Wool for Mouse Prevention
Wire wool might seem simple, but it’s one of the most effective tools in your rodent-proofing arsenal. Here's why so many homeowners and pest control professionals swear by it:
Affordable:
Wire wool is highly cost-effective. For just a few pounds, a single roll can help seal multiple gaps and holes throughout your home. Compared to the cost of repeated pest control visits or repairing damage caused by mice, it’s a small investment with a big return.
Non-toxic:
Unlike chemical traps or rodent poison, wire wool is completely non-toxic. It won’t harm children or pets, making it a safe solution for busy households. You get peace of mind knowing your home is protected without exposing your loved ones to harmful substances.
Long-lasting:
Wire wool doesn’t break down over time like foam fillers or fabric barriers. It resists weathering, moisture, and gnawing—making it a durable, long-term solution for sealing entry points. Mice can’t chew through it, which means once it’s in place, you can rely on it to do the job.
Multipurpose Protection:
Wire wool doesn’t just stop mice. It also acts as a barrier against other household pests such as cockroaches, wasps, spiders, and even some insects that try to sneak in through small openings. Its versatility makes it a smart all-round investment in home protection.
In short, wire wool is a simple yet powerful solution. It's easy to install, budget-friendly, and highly effective—helping you stop infestations before they ever begin.

Real Homes, Real Results

Many homeowners have used wire wool as their first line of defence—and reported immediate results. With proper placement, mouse activity can drop off within days. It’s a quick DIY fix that saves money, time, and stress in the long run.

Shop our range of rat and mice control products

To Conclude

Dealing with mice doesn’t always require an exterminator or chemical warfare. Sometimes, a roll of coarse wire wool is all it takes to protect your home from costly damage. Easy to use, budget-friendly, and highly effective, it’s a small solution with a big impact.

So if you hear that familiar scratching, don’t wait—grab some wire wool and seal the deal before the mice make themselves at home.