Insulation that kills bugs is a great choice for homeowners prone to pest infestation. It can also be a great way to help prevent them in the future.
The insulator is infused with boric acid, a compound that kills insects when they ingest it. It’s safe for humans and pets, but is deadly to cockroaches, silverfish, ants, millipedes, and termites.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches are some of the most well adapted pests on earth. They are capable of living without food, can walk on water and even mate in the air. This family of insects has over a hundred segments on their antennae which allow them to sense pheromones of other cockroaches and orient themselves towards them.
They can live in any crack or crevice, forage at all hours of the day and night and are always on the lookout for new shelters, food and water sources. In addition to this, they can also be the cause of asthma and allergies in a number of individuals.
The three-lined cockroach (Blattella trivittata) is often found outdoors but will move indoors in the spring to mate and feed. This invasive species has been known to infest water meter boxes, compost piles, and potted plants. It can be distinguished from the oriental cockroach by the cream-colored markings on its wings and body. Indoors, the most common cockroach is the German cockroach (Blattella germanica). It favors kitchens and bathrooms but will travel between rooms in search of food and water.
Fleas
Fleas are small, reddish-brown, wingless, parasitic bloodsuckers that can spread flea-borne diseases such as plague and murine typhus. Flea bites can cause irritation and itching in humans and pets. They also carry a number of other germs that can infect both animals and people, such as tapeworms.
Flea infestations typically occur when pets bring them indoors, but raccoons, squirrels, mice, rats, birds, opossums and foxes may also carry them into homes. Once inside, they lay eggs in shady areas and crevices. When conditions are right, these eggs hatch into larvae and pupae within two to 14 days. Larvae and pupae are protected by cocoons, which can survive for months until environmental conditions are right for adult fleas to emerge.
Often, the first sign of a flea problem is an itchy pet or human who gets bitten frequently. To prevent an infestation, vacuum and wash pet bedding frequently to remove eggs, larvae, pupae and adults. Trim lawns and shrubbery to reduce shady areas where larvae and pupae hide. Plant fennel, pennyroyal, lavender and other plants that repel fleas.
Ants
Ants are tiny insects that scour the outdoors for food to bring back to their colonies. When they find something good, they leave a chemical trail for other ants to follow and eventually return the food to their nests. This is how homeowners end up with trails of ants marching through kitchens and other rooms.
Most ant species prefer to live in moist soil and are primarily found in the landscape. However, some ant species also seek shelter from the elements in wood or void spaces. Depending on the species, these wood nests can be wood galleries or cavities in logs, stumps and structural members including door frames, window frames, rafters, siding, wall studs, flooring, etc. Cavity nests can be loose or filled with debris such as leaf packs, mulch, dirt, twigs and branches.
Although ants are not an issue in many homes, they may enter structures through small openings, such as cracks or crevices in walls and foundations, holes for venting, drains or pipes, gaps under doors or around windows, and spaces between baseboards and walls or between shelving and walls. Experienced pest control professionals can identify where these ants are entering and suggest solutions to block their entrances.
Mice
Rodents like mice and rats view insulation materials as cosy, safe spaces for nesting, hiding, feeding and reproducing. Mice and rats also chew on insulation, causing it to become fragmented and ineffective, as well as creating an unpleasant smell and posing a fire hazard. They are also known to carry disease-causing pathogens through their droppings and urine.
Rodents often invade homes in search of food and shelter. They find these in the insulated wall voids and attic space, making them ideal places to nest and grow. Rodents can wreak havoc in these areas, chewing on wires leading to HVAC and electrical problems as well as damaging the structure of your house.
Adding insulation to your attic and walls with the right R-value can help to control pest infestations by restricting their access into your home. However, there are few insulation options that offer a 100% rodent-proof solution. A more effective approach is to focus on eliminating the rodent population through specific pest control measures.
Rats
When rats make their way into homes, they often leave behind signs of infestation, such as gnawed on wires and stored items with traces of droppings and urine. These signs are not only unsightly but also a sign of a serious pest problem.
Rodents love dark, warm and hidden spaces such as walls and attics. They use these spaces to build nests, store food and to breed. Rodents can also carry diseases such as leptospirosis and salmonella.
When rodents chew into insulation, they can cause damage which will eventually affect the entire home or building. They can also contaminate the home with their urine and feces which may be spread to people and pets. The best way to prevent a rat problem is rodent exclusion. This can be done by sealing the foundation, electric wires, sewer pipes, drain spouts, and vents.