I noticed that there was a 1" gap between the edge of either side of the bottom rubber weather strip on the garage door and the door frame. Now I see that it is 3-4", and likely being chewed by mice. I don't have a serious mouse problem because they don't hang around in the garage or come into the house, but would still like to keep them from eating the weather strip. Is there a solution to keep mice from eating the bottom rubber weather strip?
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Shotgun?... I guess you'd need a harder weatherproof strip that mice don't like to chew.– hookenzCommented Jul 23, 2013 at 0:34
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9 Answers
When you have to fill the gap, use stainless steel or copper wool (not kitchen pad with soap though) and optionally foam the gap closed. The metal stops the mice from eating through the foam.
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That'll rust something terrible leaving a stain on the concrete.– hookenzCommented Jul 23, 2013 at 0:32
Actually, mice seem to like rubber, certainly insulation, especially since many of these compounds are now made from renewable sources for oil.
I'd not be surprised if you do have mice getting in, and just not know if it. Or it might be chipmunks doing the chewing. We get them in our garage too.
What can you do? I place traps where they will run. Put one near the corners of the door on the floor. Put a few on the rafters in the garage. I'll bet you catch a mouse or two.
PLEASE don't put down poison. I recently spent a few anxious hours and then days afterwards when our dog got into rat poison that a neighbor put down.
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1We get chipmunks in our garage too, though ours do not eat the weather stripping they just sneak in at the sides were it does not go all the way to the end. They eat all of our extra grass seed (the bag just has empty husks in it). I also agree, done use poison. Super deadly to dogs and even when it does work it just means you get a dead, rotting mouse somewhere you may not be able to get at (like in a wall).– auujayCommented Mar 19, 2012 at 13:38
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1Just the other week, I took out an opened bag of fertilizer I had left over from last year, planning on spreading some in a few spots on the lawn. Inside, I found a whole pile of acorns, neatly stored away. My wife insists she did not hide them there, so I can only place the blame on something furry and small. :)– user558Commented Mar 19, 2012 at 17:35
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@auujay most mice poison is designed to kill the animal via dehydration. The idea is to get the animal outside searching for water to die and/or even if it does die, it's a fairly dried out corpse. As for dogs and other animals, bait should be placed in actual bait stations to prevent that (plus, well, maybe don't let your dogs into the neighbor's yard ;)– DA01Commented Oct 28, 2012 at 2:40
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@DA01 - This is NOT at all true from what I have found. Many poisons are designed to kill by the animal internally bleeding to death. And our dog was NOT wandering around another yard, but was welcomed into their house in the company of my wife for a visit. Our neighbor forgot that she had put down the poison, until our dog found it and quickly (and quietly) ate it. Luckily we found out what had happened in time. Lastly, this is NOT worth a wink. There is NOTHING even remotely funny about the matter!– user558Commented Oct 28, 2012 at 9:12
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@DA01 - Oh, by the way, I suppose that an animal will get dehydrated as it dies from this poison. After all, it is a nice, pleasant euphemistic way of describing bleeding to death, until it "accidentally" happens to your child. (It does happen, you know.) But don't insult me by insinuating that I would take less good care of my dog than most people would of their children. Quite the reverse may be true in fact.– user558Commented Oct 28, 2012 at 10:26
Interesting question Mike. Last I knew rubber and plastic weren't on the Chez Mouse Menu. I would think that there may be some attractant stored in your garage that may be attracting them. Things like dry pet foods, nesting materials or pet water bowls can attract the little dears. Take a good look around your area for concentration of droppings. This may give you a hint what they are looking for or nesting in. Short of baiting them with a rodent poison or traps, try to remove the attractants and hide outs so they will visit the neighbor's house instead of yours!
answered Mar 17, 2012 at 11:30
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They like composite decking as well. Got all kinds of bite and chew marks on the corners of my deck. Commented Mar 19, 2012 at 14:51
I had the same problem of mice eating door bottom seals. now when I insall new door bottom seals I put bearing grease on the inside of the bottom seal. thisidea was given to me by my overhead door suplier and seams to work Thanks Casey
Setup some traps. Peanut butter and cereal grains make good bait. Or you could put a glue strip near your garage strip.
Another option is to set up a video camera and see what you are dealing with first and then decide how to deal with it. I believe there are also humane traps if you prefer catch and release.
If you don't want to kill them, try some fox urine on your door. A fox is a natural predator for mice. I believe amonia works as well.
answered Mar 19, 2012 at 14:49
Pile garage weatherstripping - the brush style type
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2Could you please add some more detail to this answer to say exactly how you'd use the weatherstripping?– Niall C. ♦Commented Nov 1, 2012 at 14:25
I have used electronic plug-ins that emit ultra high frequency sounds (inaudible to the human ear) designed especially for mice. the frequency sound distresses them so they keep away. This has been successful. Pity I didn't use them before they ruined the rubber seal for my MG hard-top that was stored in the garage! Peter D.
Rats look for cover, water and food. Putting down traps and poison just lure them in. You want to use repellant. I buy stuff I think is called cab away? It comes in a box with four packets and they are scented. Rats and mice don't like the smell and avoid the space altogether and they smell pretty good for humans. I use them in my rv, house, and garage. They work great but are a bit expensive, like 15$ a box but well worth the purchase. I buy it at tractor supply but it's probably at other places too.
Get a cat. :)
But only if you're willing to be a responsible pet owner.
