Question 1

how thick is it when uncompressed?

Accepted Answer

Xcluder is ½" thick when uncompressed.

Question 2

How much does each 4” x 5’  roll weigh?

Accepted Answer

I would guess no more than 1 pound (probably less). It’s very lightweight.

Question 3

Can this product be used safely to block the exterior exit of a stove exhaust vent? Vent exit is about 9 feet above ground so rats/mice aren't problem

Accepted Answer

The manufacture’s website “Buy Xcluder” rodent prevention  states “ Xcluder Fill Fabric has been tested and is safe to use in holes, gaps, or cracks where ambient temperatures reach as high as 270º F.”  
I would think a stove pipe might get above that but you will have to check with one of those point at the item digital type thermometers like you check walls, grills, etc.  If you have a double or triple wall pipe, it would be lower I’m thinking but checking is the only sure way.

But I ask why would you be blocking the vent...wouldn’t think that would be safe in terms of carbon monoxide, smoke etc.   Or are you talking about blocking in the summer against nesting birds and you won’t forget to unblock in the winter or leave a note on the wall so no one else lights it up come cool weather, or during a power outage to cook on.  I don’t believe this will help with insects because it’s like steel wool — it is stainless steel wool with plastic/poly fibers mixed in.  Of course winter is when critters try to come in.  You can buy specialty made caps which have screening to keep out critters that fit stove pipes, chimneys, etc. and can stay on year round.  
And  I hate to tell you... rats and mice can climb that far easily if the surface is textured- maybe not on car smooth or enamel painted smooth metal or glass but concrete, wood, even textured plastic, older sheet rock or plaster walls no issue. Ever heard of roof rats — pretty much all over the US?  I have friend on the west coast and on the east coast where they run up and down two and 3 story house roofs.  They can climb up trees, other structures and then jump to wherever they want to go.  Think squirrels — way up in trees and lines.  Rats have the ability to wrap their tail around the wires to steady themselves and run across wires the same way.  They love to go up to eat nesting birds, chicks and eggs in nests, baby squirrels, etc. Mice aren’t as prone and will stay within a couple feet of the ground but can jump up to 2’ but they will go where there is something they want like seeds or fruits. I mean they get in peoples two story attics somehow.  And in North America we have jumping mice.  The roof/black rat has now displaced the Norway rat as the most common rat found close to human habitations and especially in wet areas such as streambeds, drainage canals, and sewers.

According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service: 
Rats can climb brick walls, trees, and telephone poles, and walk across telephone lines.
Rats can fall from a height of 50 feet without getting hurt. (They had to climb that far before they can fall that far) 
Rats can jump three feet in the air from a flat surface,  and leap more than four feet horizontally.
Rats can scamper through openings as small as a quarter. General rule: If a rat’s head fits into the hole then the body will follow.
Rats can chew through lead, cinder block, and aluminum sheeting. Rats’ teeth grow about four inches a year, and they have to gnaw on things to keep their teeth from pushing through their skulls.
Some species of rats can swim over a mile in open water, and can tread water for up to three days.
Some species of rats can travel through sewer pipes and dive through water plumbing traps.

And as one other special thought: 
In the U.S., about 14,000 people annually report direct attacks from rats - ocassionally inflicting mortal wounds.

Best of luck.

Question 4

Will this stop ants?

Accepted Answer

I seriously doubt it... look at a piece of steel wool and think if an ant could get through.  Look for fine mesh screen or I’d try “thrips” screen or mesh as they are almost invisible and if thrift screen can keep those out..might have a good change to keep ants out which you can see.  Most greenhouse supply houses carry but if you just need a small piece ..that will be an issue.  Maybe they will send you a sample piece.  It’s meant to keep pests as small as thrips but also other pests like leaf hoppers, white fly, etc out of greenhouses as these can do great damage to plants.  You don’t say how big an area .. but if you look for insect screening or thrip screen you should find something that will work.  Also garden cover cloth might work that keeps bugs like cabbage butterflies and others  off veggies and helps them stay warmer in winter or early spring.  But you need to check various manufacturer websites to make sure what you are getting will work.  One greenhouse supplier that sells thrip screen is Greenhouse Megastore.  They have No Thrips, and another one called Anti Insect Virus screening.  They are really nice to work with and helpful. Maybe you can call and talk to them and explain your issue — they can come up with a solution.  Many of their products are sold by custom size so from a foot to hundreds of feet or in standard stock sizes.for example on the anti-insect screen 78” wide x 1 linear foot is $3.95 as it’s sold by the lineal foot in 78” and 137” widths.  They do most of their screening, shade cloth, etc like this and you can order hemmed, grommeted, or bulk. I bought shade cloth to protect my orchids several years ago, sized just like what I needed for my porch openings with grommets and hemmed with seat belt material and still in good shape and it was a fraction of what it would have cost me elsewhere for cheaper material.  And they sell all shade percentages and colors.  They sell to home gardeners and to commercial greenhouses. Prices are very good and if they don’t sell it, you probably don’t really need it.

Good luck on an ant solution.

Xcluder Rodent Control Fill Fabric Roll, 4” x 10’ Stainless Steel Wool Protects Against Rats and Mice for Residential & Commercial Property,Black

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