Those “let it breathe” gaps can be a pain, especially in older homes. I’ve seen more critters than condensation issues, too. Here’s what I’ve noticed with eco-friendly options:
- Wool-based insulation actually does a decent job at repelling bugs—lanolin in the wool seems to help, but rodents might still give it a go if they’re determined.
- The plant-based foams are hit or miss. Some brands hold up, others break down faster and end up as nesting material.
If you’re worried about spiders and small pests, sealing up tight with a denser foam (even if it’s not the greenest) usually works better. Just make sure you’re not trapping moisture where it shouldn’t be. It’s always a balancing act, honestly.
I hear you on the “let it breathe” gaps—sometimes it feels like you’re running a bed & breakfast for spiders and mice. I’ve tried wool insulation, and while it’s great for bugs, the local mice seem to think I’m providing luxury bedding. The plant-based foams are a bit of a gamble, too. Had one batch that turned into a squirrel Airbnb within a year.
When it comes to plumbing and those seasonal shifts, I’ve found that sealing up with closed-cell foam (even if it’s not the greenest) keeps the drafts and critters out, but you really have to watch for trapped moisture. I’ve seen more than one neighbor rip out moldy insulation because they sealed things up too tight and forgot about vapor barriers.
If you’re going eco, maybe double up on pest deterrents—steel wool around pipe penetrations works wonders, and it’s not too hard to swap out if you need to check for leaks. Just don’t get too carried away with the foam gun... learned that one the hard way when I glued a wrench to a pipe last winter.
Steel wool’s been my go-to as well—mice just won’t chew through it, and it’s easy to pull out if you need to. I’ve always been wary of closed-cell foam for exactly that moisture issue you mentioned. Once had to cut out a whole chunk behind my washing machine because it trapped condensation and started smelling funky. It’s a tough balance between keeping critters out and letting things dry out properly.
Curious if anyone’s tried those expanding mesh sleeves or copper mesh instead of steel wool? I’ve heard they’re less likely to rust over time, but haven’t tested them myself. Wondering if they actually hold up or just end up as another thing to replace every season...
I’ve actually tried copper mesh a couple of times—mainly because I got tired of rusty steel wool bits ending up in the drain pan. It does seem to hold up better, but I noticed if you don’t really pack it in tight, some persistent critters can still find a way through. The expanding mesh sleeves looked promising, but I felt like they didn’t always stay put unless you anchor them down. Anyone else run into issues with mesh shifting over time behind appliances?
Mesh shifting is a pain, especially behind the fridge where you can’t see what’s going on half the time. I’ve had better luck using a dab of construction adhesive to tack the copper mesh in place—just enough to keep it from sliding when I push the appliance back. Have you tried sealing the edges with silicone after packing the mesh? I’m curious if that would help with critters squeezing through gaps as things settle.