Had my own midnight plumbing fiasco last winter, and while eco-friendly insulation sounds great in theory, I'm not totally sold on it yet. A buddy of mine went full sustainable with wool insulation—awesome idea, right? Until mice decided it was their new luxury condo... ended up replacing half of it after one season. Traditional stuff might not win any green awards, but sometimes practicality beats idealism, especially if you want to skip those 3 AM mouse eviction parties.
Totally get your hesitation, but have you considered cellulose insulation? I've had mine in for about 3 years now, and no rodent parties yet. Wool sounds nice until you factor in the critters... Did your friend try sealing entry points or using deterrents first? I'm all for eco-friendly choices, but you're right—sometimes you've gotta balance idealism with practicality. Maybe there's a middle ground option that doesn't invite unwanted guests at 3 AM.
Cellulose insulation is definitely a solid suggestion—I've heard good things about it from neighbors who've gone that route. Glad to hear it's working out for you rodent-wise, too. I totally understand the hesitation around wool insulation. A friend of mine went all-in on wool because she loved the eco-friendly angle, but yeah... she ended up with some furry roommates pretty quickly. She did try sealing entry points and even used peppermint oil as a deterrent (apparently rodents hate the smell?), but it wasn't foolproof. Eventually, she had to compromise and switch to cellulose, and she's been happy ever since.
If you're leaning toward wool for environmental reasons, maybe consider doing a thorough inspection first? You could start by checking around your foundation, attic vents, and any small gaps around pipes or wiring. A tube of caulk and some steel wool (ironically!) can go a long way in sealing those tiny entry points. Also, trimming back branches or bushes near your roofline can help prevent critters from having easy access to your attic.
Another thing I've found helpful is setting up a few humane traps around potential entry points before installing insulation. It gives you a sense of whether you've got visitors already scouting out your space. If nothing turns up after a week or two, you might feel more confident going ahead with wool or another natural option.
At the end of the day, it's all about finding that sweet spot between sustainability and practicality. You're already thinking through this carefully, so trust your instincts—you've got this.
Cellulose has been great for us too, especially budget-wise. I second the peppermint oil trick—worked surprisingly well in our basement. One thing I'd add is to double-check your plumbing insulation while you're sealing gaps. We had a pipe burst last winter at 3 AM... not fun. Wrapping pipes with foam sleeves is cheap insurance and gives peace of mind during cold snaps.
Totally agree on the foam sleeves, they're lifesavers. Another quick tip—leave cabinet doors under sinks slightly open during freezing nights. Lets warmer air circulate around pipes... sounds minor, but it's saved us from midnight plumbing chaos more than once.
