Rodents are every homeowner’s nightmare. These furry pests can wreak havoc on your home, eating through walls, floors, and insulation in their never-ending quest for food and shelter.
They’re particularly detrimental to the insulation since they love to nest in these warm, fluffy materials. Not only does this cause severe damage to your home, but it also drives up your energy bills as heat escapes through the holes they’ve chewed.
Rodents are also a health hazard, considering they carry a host of diseases that can be transmitted to humans. The most common of these diseases is the hantavirus, which can be deadly.
One way to prevent a rodent infestation is to use spray foam insulation since spray foam does not provide any dietary or reproductive benefits to rodents. Closed-cell spray foam is also hard to chew through. Let’s discuss how it can help keep rodents out.
So, Is Spray Foam Rodent Proof?
In colder weather, rodents love to take refuge in the warm, comfortable confines of your home. They’ll squeeze through tiny cracks and holes to gain entry and build their nests in any available space.
It includes your insulation. Once they’re in, they’ll start to chew through the insulation to create tunnels and passageways. This destroys your insulation and creates openings in your home’s envelope, allowing heat to escape.
Spray foam insulation is an effective way to deter rodents since it can fill in those cracks and holes they use to gain entry. It also forms a tight seal around your home that helps prevent heat loss.
In addition, rodents don’t like the feel of spray foam on their fur. It can deter them from nesting in your insulation and cause them to look for a new place to build their home.
The thing about rodents is that it’s pretty hard to make them leave. So, your approach should be not to let them enter your home in the first place.
Spray foam insulation can help you accomplish this. Typically, all spray foams are fully cured within 24 hours. After that time, they provide an impenetrable barrier against rodents and other pests.
When choosing between open or closed-cell spray foam, we recommend closed-cell foam since it’s denser and provides a higher level of protection against pests.
It’s important to note that while spray foam insulation can help keep rodents out, it’s not a cure-all. You’ll still need to take other steps to prevent these pests from entering your home, such as sealing cracks and holes in your home’s exterior.
You should also keep your yard clean and free of debris where rodents can hide. But, with a little effort, you can make your home much less inviting to these furry pests.
If your home is already rodent-infested, applying spray foam won’t do much since the material is not a deterrent. Rather, it’s a barrier. In this case, you should hire a professional to remove the pests and repair the damage they’ve caused.
Once your home is rodent-free, you can seal any openings with spray foam to prevent them from returning.
Do You Need a Special Spray Foam to Repel Rodents?
You don’t necessarily need a special spray foam to repel rodents. However, certain types of spray foam are more effective at repelling rodents than others.
For instance, polyurethane spray foam is an effective rodent repellent. It expands to fill cracks and crevices, sealing off entry points where rodents could enter your home.
Another option is to use an expanding foam sealant that contains a rodent repellent such as mint oil. The foam will repel rodents and deter other pests like insects.
But there’s no standard spray foam for preventing rodent infestations. All spray foams do the job since they expand and fill gaps and cracks. So the best way to prevent rodents from entering your home is to seal off any potential entry point.
Are There Better Rodent-Proof Insulation Alternatives?
Spray foam insulation is generally the best option for rodent-proof insulation since it forms a tight barrier. Another notable thing about spray foam is that it does not offer a breeding ground or food source for rodents like other insulation materials such as fiberglass or cellulose.
However, if rodents are a big issue in your home, it’s time to bring in steel wool. Rodents cannot chew through steel wool, so plugging up any holes or cracks with this material is an excellent way to deter them.
You can also use caulk to seal up any gaps or cracks where rodents might be able to enter. While anti-rodent sprays and traps can be effective, they are not always foolproof. The best way to keep rodents out of your home is to block their access with good insulation and seal any openings.
Is Any Insulation Rodent and Pest Proof?
Rodents are generally attracted to areas that are dark and offer them shelter. Therefore, a loose insulation material, such as fiberglass batting, will give them a place to nest. In addition, some insulation materials are made from materials that rodents find tasty, such as cellulose.
There is no single insulation material that is entirely rodent and pest-proof, but there are some that are more resistant than others.
Polystyrene Foam
Polystyrene foam is not as appetizing to rodents as cellulose, and it is also more difficult for them to gnaw through. Therefore, polystyrene foam is a good choice if you are looking for an insulation material that is more resistant to rodents and pests.
Cellulose Insulation
Cellulose insulation can be a good option if you’re experiencing a pest problem in your home. However, standard cellulose insulation won’t do much. Instead, you should use cellulose treated with boric acid, which is a natural pesticide. It will help to keep pests away from your insulation and prevent them from causing damage to your home.
Rigid Foam Insulation Board
A rigid foam insulation board is also difficult for rodents to gnaw through and does not provide a place to nest. However, it is made from petroleum-based products, which some rodents find tasty. If you choose to use a rigid foam insulation board, seal any cracks or gaps where rodents could enter.
Iron Wire Mesh Screens
Anti-intrusion screens made of iron wire mesh can be placed over openings in your home, such as vents, to prevent rodents and other pests from entering. For instance, mesh made of iron wire can be used to cover an attic vent.
Besides using the right insulation material, you should also take other steps to keep your home safe from rodents and pests. Here are some tips:
- Seal all openings into your home, including cracks and holes in the foundation, walls, and roof.
- Keep food in sealed containers and dispose of garbage regularly.
- Remove clutter, including boxes, newspapers, and other materials that rodents can use for nesting.
