# How do I stop mice from nesting in my BBQ? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 24, 2008, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-mice-from-nesting-in-my-bbq/474245 "2008-11-24T14:46:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dawson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ac91a4/32.png) [@dawson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dawson)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-mice-from-nesting-in-my-bbq/474245/1 "2008-11-24T14:46:37Z")
As per usual, as soon as it gets cold up here (Canada), the little critters start searching for cover. My BBQ, with it’s vinyl cover and cast iron sides, is apparently the Hilton. Anyone know how to stop the little rascals from taking up long term residence in a bbq? ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-mice-from-nesting-in-my-bbq/474245/2 "2008-11-24T15:02:30Z")
We use mouse repellent granules to keep them from eating my dishwasher (which they did…twice). It’s not poison, but they really, really don’t like it. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-mice-from-nesting-in-my-bbq/474245/3 "2008-11-24T15:04:20Z")
I was going to say “put a cat in your BBQ” but **Kalhoun** ’s suggestion is probably better. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-mice-from-nesting-in-my-bbq/474245/4 "2008-11-24T16:07:04Z")
Leave it on? ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-mice-from-nesting-in-my-bbq/474245/5 "2008-11-24T16:22:04Z")
Leave off the cover? ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-mice-from-nesting-in-my-bbq/474245/6 "2008-11-24T16:31:51Z")
> [@MsWhatsit](#): > > I was going to say “put a cat in your BBQ” but **Kalhoun** ’s suggestion is probably better. I dunno…yours is pretty awesome.🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-mice-from-nesting-in-my-bbq/474245/7 "2008-11-24T16:43:33Z")
Block up the openings that are large enough for a mouse to get in with steel wool. Remove and discard when it’s time to put the steaks on again. ---
**Author:** ![discodancer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9c0ed/32.png) [@discodancer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/discodancer)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-mice-from-nesting-in-my-bbq/474245/8 "2008-11-24T17:38:20Z")
> [@MsWhatsit](#): > > I was going to say “put a cat in your BBQ” but **Kalhoun** ’s suggestion is probably better. Uh oh, but then you’ll have to put a dog in there to get rid of the cat. ---
**Author:** ![yoyodyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a9a28c/32.png) [@yoyodyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yoyodyne)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-mice-from-nesting-in-my-bbq/474245/9 "2008-11-24T17:52:38Z")
Mothballs. ---
**Author:** ![Laudenum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Laudenum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laudenum)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2008, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-mice-from-nesting-in-my-bbq/474245/10 "2008-11-25T14:50:22Z")
Is it a gas barbeque? ---
**Author:** ![dawson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ac91a4/32.png) [@dawson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dawson)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2008, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-mice-from-nesting-in-my-bbq/474245/11 "2008-11-25T18:31:38Z")
yes it is a gas bbq. mothballs? really? if I leave the cover off it will be exposed to the elements. After what I paid for this thing I intend to keep it at least 10 years. I thought about the whole cat thing but I couldn’t find small enough handcuffs. Is the mouse repellant child safe? Wouyld I have to put it directly in the bbq, or around it? ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2008, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-mice-from-nesting-in-my-bbq/474245/12 "2008-11-25T18:49:36Z")
> [@Projammer](#): > > Block up the openings that are large enough for a mouse to get in with steel wool. Remove and discard when it’s time to put the steaks on again. What Projammer said only I would use brass wool so it doesn’t rust and streak. ---
**Author:** ![Binarydrone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3da27b/32.png) [@Binarydrone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Binarydrone)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2008, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-mice-from-nesting-in-my-bbq/474245/13 "2008-11-25T18:57:53Z")
I may be missing something here, but is there some problem with just letting them nest there in the winter? Like you have to clean it in the spring before use anyway right? And even if you found some badass mouse repellant you would have to clean that out before you used it too, right? Are there parts that they are going to chew or something? ---
**Author:** ![ShelliBean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f9ae1b/32.png) [@ShelliBean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShelliBean)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2008, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-mice-from-nesting-in-my-bbq/474245/14 "2008-11-25T20:37:46Z")
Apparently you aren’t eating it fast enough!! ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2008, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-mice-from-nesting-in-my-bbq/474245/15 "2008-11-25T21:16:49Z")
> [@Binarydrone](#): > > I may be missing something here, but is there some problem with just letting them nest there in the winter? Like you have to clean it in the spring before use anyway right? And even if you found some badass mouse repellant you would have to clean that out before you used it too, right? Are there parts that they are going to chew or something? You don’t see a problem with mouse droppings in and around your cooking area? ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2008, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-mice-from-nesting-in-my-bbq/474245/16 "2008-11-25T21:22:34Z")
> [@dawson](#): > > I thought about the whole cat thing but I couldn’t find small enough handcuffs. How about tiny little Chinese handcuffs? ---
**Author:** ![Binarydrone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3da27b/32.png) [@Binarydrone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Binarydrone)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2008, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-mice-from-nesting-in-my-bbq/474245/17 "2008-11-25T21:27:23Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > You don’t see a problem with mouse droppings in and around your cooking area? Well, you clean the thing before first use in the spring/summer don’t you? And then you set a big hot fire in it, right? So from a pathogen POV you are probably in more danger from the rare hamburger. ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2008, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-mice-from-nesting-in-my-bbq/474245/18 "2008-11-25T22:02:17Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > You don’t see a problem with mouse droppings in and around your cooking area? > [@Binarydrone](#): > > Well, you clean the thing before first use in the spring/summer don’t you? And then you set a big hot fire in it, right? So from a pathogen POV you are probably in more danger from the rare hamburger. Indeed. And it’s not like cooking over a dried dung fire is unheard of. ---
**Author:** ![emmaliminal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@emmaliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emmaliminal)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-mice-from-nesting-in-my-bbq/474245/19 "2008-11-26T00:38:44Z")
The problem with mice in a cooking device is that they make great big stinks where they nest. You don’t want your burgers, or your patio in the spring, scented with simmering Eau de Chateau de Rodent, I promise. I’m with the folks who suggest steel or bronze wool and blocking ports of entry, unless you can find a volunteer masochist cat to move in. ---
**Author:** ![Uzi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/91b2a8/32.png) [@Uzi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uzi)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-mice-from-nesting-in-my-bbq/474245/20 "2008-11-26T04:06:40Z")
What kind of a Canadian are you that you don’t use your BBQ all year long? I’m out there in shorts and a T-shirt at minus 30 flipping burgers. You’d be surprised how fast you can flip them! 😃 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-mice-from-nesting-in-my-bbq/474245.md?page=2)