With what should walls be lined in a wooden house to prevent mice? - briefly
Line interior walls with fine‑mesh metal sheeting (e.g., 1/4‑inch hardware cloth) and seal all gaps with caulk or expanding foam to block rodent entry. This combination creates a durable, impenetrable barrier against mice.
With what should walls be lined in a wooden house to prevent mice? - in detail
Choosing an effective barrier for the interior surfaces of a timber‑frame dwelling is essential to deter rodent intrusion. The barrier must be durable, non‑porous, and capable of sealing gaps that mice exploit.
A solid, impermeable lining such as ½‑inch thick polyethylene sheeting, installed with overlapping seams and sealed with construction‑grade tape, creates a continuous membrane that prevents gnawing and entry. Rigid foam insulation boards (extruded polystyrene, XPS) provide both thermal performance and a smooth, hard surface that rodents cannot easily chew through; seams should be taped and any joints caulked with silicone or acrylic sealant.
For areas where a breathable material is required, a metal lath coated with a cementitious mortar (stucco) offers a hard, crack‑resistant surface. The metal mesh adds structural reinforcement, while the cured mortar forms a solid skin that mice cannot penetrate.
A practical installation sequence includes:
- Inspect all wall cavities and locate existing gaps, holes, or penetrations from utilities.
- Apply a moisture‑resistant primer to any wood sheathing that will receive cementitious coating.
- Install the chosen barrier (polyethylene, XPS, or metal‑lath system) directly over the sheathing, ensuring full coverage from floor to ceiling.
- Overlap joints by at least 6 inches; secure with staples or adhesive appropriate to the material.
- Seal overlaps and any penetrations with high‑quality tape or silicone caulk.
- Finish with a hard‑surface finish—stucco, plaster, or rigid board—to eliminate any remaining crevices.
Additional measures reinforce the primary lining:
- Install metal flashing around windows, doors, and utility openings; flash should be lapped outward and sealed.
- Use steel mesh or hardware cloth (¼‑inch gauge) to cover larger openings such as vents, securing edges with screws and sealing seams.
- Apply rodent‑deterrent compounds (e.g., bittering agents) to the outer surface of the barrier where exposure is unavoidable.
Regular inspection of the wall envelope, especially after seasonal changes, helps identify new gaps before mice can exploit them. Maintaining the integrity of the chosen lining material, combined with comprehensive sealing, provides a robust defense against rodent infiltration in wooden residential structures.