What will mice not walk on?

Mice are agile climbers and can walk on most surfaces, but there are certain textures and materials they dislike or avoid because they are uncomfortable, slippery, or noisy. Mice do not like walking on very sticky surfaces like fresh glue traps, though these are considered inhumane and not recommended as a primary method. They avoid walking on extremely smooth and slippery metal sheeting like aluminum flashing when it is installed vertically as a barrier, because they cannot get grip. They dislike walking on rough, sharp, or abrasive materials like steel wool, coarse wire mesh, and crumpled aluminum foil when used to block holes, though they may try to chew around them. They are hesitant to cross open areas covered in fine powder like flour or talc, not because they cannot walk on it, but because it leaves footprints and irritates them, which is why pest professionals use flour to monitor tracks. Some people claim mice will not walk on peppermint oil soaked surfaces, but this effect is temporary and weak. In reality, there is no magic surface that mice absolutely will not walk on if they are motivated by food, they will walk across concrete, wood, carpet, plastic, and even upside down on wires. The most effective barriers are physical exclusion with metal and sealing, not surface textures.