SPRAY FOAM INSULATION
Within such insulation, mice cannot move around or create pathways, further deterring their presence. These insulation types create barriers that mice find challenging to navigate, making them less attractive for nesting.
Don't use plastic sheeting, wood, rubber or a screen to close off an area because the mice can gnaw right through it. A mixture of steel wool and caulking compound makes a good plug to seal small openings. You can't use steel wool on its own because the mice will be able to pull it out or chew through it.
Cellulose insulation is made of recycled, ground-up paper. It has boric acid added to it to control and keep out insects and other pests. It's also fire-resistant. Rodents generally are not drawn to cellulose insulation, either.
Fiber Cement Siding – Fiber cement siding, made from a mix of wood pulp and Portland cement, is among the more resistant materials to rodent invasions. Its composition offers little appeal to rodents, and its robust nature makes it difficult for them to chew through.
Mice have been known to chew through electrical wires, fiberglass insulation batts, and rigid foam insulation. Worst-case scenario, evidence of mice (in any part of a house) can cause problems when its time to sell the place. The best is to stop mice from even entering.
Seal any holes you find to stop rodents from entering. Fill small holes with steel wool. Put caulk around the steel wool to keep it in place or use spray foam. Use lath screen or metal, cement, hardware cloth, or metal sheeting to fix larger holes.
Rodents are most drawn to fiberglass insulation, but any variety works well for their needs. They tunnel through the material and gnaw at it for food or to make a nest. And all the while they will leave their urine and droppings, and these contaminants will stay behind long after the rodents are gone.
Thermablok® Aerogel is a revolutionary advancement in thermal technology offering the thinnest insulation available to prevent thermal and cold bridging. Classed as a Super Insulation, Aerogel has the highest insulation value of any known material with the lowest thermal conductivity value of any solid (0.015W/mK).
You can keep rodents and bugs out of your home through duct sealing. Some of the things needed for effective duct sealing include screwdrivers (for opening vent entries), safety gloves, traps, baits, fine wire mesh, torch, soap and plastic bags for disposing off the dead rodents/ bugs.
Mice will have difficulty climbing some surfaces that do not have the imperfections they need to get a decent footing. Smooth and slick materials made from plastic, metal, glazed wood, and glass typically don't provide the necessary grip for a mouse's claws to grasp which make them a challenge to climb.
Great Stuff™ Pestblock Insulating Foam Sealant is a ready-to-use foam sealant that expands up to 1” to take the shape of gaps, creating a long-lasting, airtight and water-resistant seal that blocks out spiders, ants, cockroaches, mice and more from entering the home without the use of pesticides.
Armaflex Tuffcoat is ideal for use in external pipework applications where protection from UV rays is essential and also provides protection from bird and rodent attack. It can also be used underground - including on mains cold water and ground source heat pump pipes.
Boric Acid Insulation: A Game-Changer
The fiber insulation is treated with boric acid and other proprietary formulations to produce fire-retardant, environmentally-friendly, thermally superior, sound-deadening insulation with pest-controlling properties.
The optimal R-value for most homes is 30, but you can go as high as 38 if you live in a tropical climate. Anything higher than 38 indicates an over-insulated space. While you might think that too much insulation can't be bad, there are some significant consequences to consider.
Spray foam insulation is the most energy-efficient insulation to create an air barrier in the attic. Certain spray foams can expand up to 100 times its original size, so it fills all of the nooks and crannies in the attic.
While mice's teeth are strong enough to chew through any material, they dislike chewing through thin aluminum sheets because its sharpness harms their mouths while chewing. Rockwool is a rodent's favorite because it creates a great nest that provides warmth during cold winter nights.
Fiberglass Batt and Roll Insulation
Fiberglass batt and roll insulation is a common and budget-friendly option. This insulation comes in pre-cut batts or long rolls, making it easy to fit between the framing members, like joists and trusses, in your attic.
To discourage mice, remove all food sources by storing grains, pet food, and other dry goods in metal containers. Make sure mice won't find nesting material by storing all soft, fluffy material like fabric, rugs and blankets in heavy plastic or metal boxes.
While spray foam insulation works well at keeping rodents away, mice and rats can eat through it. If they do, you'll end up with some weak spots that may allow other rodents to find a way into your house.