There’s nothing more worrying than not feeling at home in your house because of a rodent or pest infestation. That’s why people are always looking for and researching ways to prevent that from happening.
One of the best preventative measures is an insulation layer, which helps keep many unwanted creatures from sneaking into your home. This brings us to the question, “Does spray foam insulation keep rodents out?”
In this article, we’ll look at spray foam insulation, how it works, and how it can save you the hassle of an infestation. Keep reading to find out more.
Does Spray Foam Insulation Keep Rodents Out?
Yes, spray foam insulation is effective for keeping rodents out. It’s not just rodents, though! It can also prevent other pests from getting into your house.
Spray foam insulation acts as a layer of defence against air leaks, which are the main attraction that causes pest and rodent infestations.
How Does Spray Foam Work?
At its core, spray foam is an insulation product, not a means to keep rats and mice out of your basement or attic. However, because one of its main purposes is insulation and sealing, it helps keep rodents out.
Spray foam is a viable option if you’re looking to insulate your house, control moisture, improve comfort, and have the added benefit of keeping pests and rodents out.
Can Mice and Rats Eat Through Spray Foam Insulation?
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.
However, the rodent that initiated the eating would probably die soon after because spray foam is toxic, both in its dry and wet forms.
This means that if a rodent does eat through the spray foam, you’ll have to reseal that area as soon as you can before others find it and get into your house.
Is Spray Foam More Effective Against Rodents Than Other Insulation Methods?
The difference between spray foam and other forms of insulation, such as polystyrene and blown in fibreglass, is that spray foam provides airtight coverage.
Fibreglass and polystyrene are viable insulation options, but they’re not airtight, which means some air leakage is bound to happen. With that in mind, this leaves some room for rodents to infiltrate your house.
Not to mention, mice and rats can use both materials as food sources and nibble through them. When that happens, the insulation suffers some damage, weakening its insulation abilities.
Not only does that open doors for air leakages, which invite rodents in, but it also means your house won’t benefit from the insulation.
The heat loss that happens as a result also means a higher energy bill, which is not an ideal scenario.
So, while spray foam isn’t the only insulation material available, it’s the best option when you take multiple variables into account. The most important variable in that equation is keeping rodents and pests safely outside your home.
Are Rodents Drawn to Spray Foam?
Generally speaking, rodents, like mice and rats, aren’t interested in spray foam as there’s no nutritional value in it for them, like polystyrene.
However, if a rodent smells food through your insulation, it might try to chew its way through to the other side. That’s why thicker closed cell spray foam insulation options are better at keeping rodents out of your house completely.
On the other hand, spray foam offers no nesting potential for rodents, which is even more of a reason why they wouldn’t approach it for no reason.
Typically, if a rodent tries to chew through spray foam, it’s because the spray foam wasn’t thick enough to keep the aromas of the food inside the house from seeping outside and tempting the creature to chew its way in.
What Invites Rodents to Invade Your House?
It’s important to understand what attracts rodents and other pests to a house in the first place. Naturally, rodents want a safe space to stay in, which compels them to search your house for any air movement. That’s why areas with air leaks are the most inviting.
These areas are typically crawl spaces, attic openings, and rim joists. Many pests, like bats, bugs, critters, and rodents, sneak into these places. They do that more when it’s cold outside and there’s warmth leaking from your house, inviting them to find shelter.
While spray foam wouldn’t help with rodents that already exist in the house, it’s an excellent preventative measure against future invasions.
Just keep in mind that there are certain places in which using spray foam would be a bad idea. Read our ‘Where Not to Use Spray Foam Insulation’ guide for more information.
Does Spray Foam Insulation Keep Rodents Out: Final Thoughts
When all is said and done, spray foam insulation is a good idea overall, especially when it comes to preventing rodents from sneaking into your house. Besides, it’ll also provide proper insulation, moisture control, and general comfort for your house.
