If you want a quiet, energy-efficient, and pest-free living space, you might consider installing cellulose attic insulation. This unique product is more than just an insulator—it combines multiple benefits into one environmentally friendly solution. Unlike traditional materials, cellulose insulation prevent pests by offering superior pest control, helping to repel and even kill insects that invade your attic. The facts about its effectiveness make it a compelling choice for homeowners who should know how it works before they decide to invest in their home’s protection. With major concerns about infestations, finding ways to maintain a comfortable space without constant extermination costs is crucial. The surprise is how well this insulation works—not just for temperature regulation, but also as a solution for long-term pest control.
Does Cellulose Insulation Prevent Pests?
While cellulose insulation is often linked to pest control, it does not kill insects on its own. Instead, its pest-resistant properties come from special additives that manufacturers mix into the material. These ingredients enhance effectiveness against certain pests, creating a protective barrier rather than a direct insecticide. Because of its treatment process, cellulose insulation prevent pests by helping to repel insects and limiting their presence in the home. This makes it a practical choice for homeowners looking for long-term protection against infestations while maintaining a comfortable living space.
Understanding Cellulose Insulation
What cellulose insulation is made of plays a key role in its effectiveness. It is primarily made from ground-up newspaper and treated with a specially formulated borate solution, giving it pesticide qualities that eliminate many common household insects, such as ants, cockroaches, silverfish, and termites. In addition to pest control, it is fire-retardant, mold-resistant, and reduces risk to humans and pets. It is applied as loose-fill insulation that can be blown on top of your existing insulation or installed on its own. With its eco-friendly composition, cellulose insulation is a versatile option for energy efficiency and home protection.
Effective Insulation for Pest Control
The EPA requires that cellulose insulation meets strict safety standards, ensuring its effectiveness in both fire retardancy and pest resistance. Manufacturers warrant this Class 1 fire retardant insulation by carefully controlling the manufacturing process, where they add boric acid (BA), ammonium sulfate, and borate to enhance its effectiveness. This additive mixture renders the insulation highly resistant to combustion, mold, and fungus, making it a reliable choice for attics, lofts, wall cavities, and other areas in the home.
One of the excellent ways cellulose insulation stands out is through its 86 percent recycled content, with 68 percent sourced from newspapers. This reduces the carbon footprint while maintaining strong pest-repelling properties. Since it is loose-fill insulation, it fits well into damp or darker areas, helping to eliminate bugs by disrupting their habitat. The insulation’s anti-fungal and smoldering-resistant properties further contribute to reducing risk in homes. With its odorless, colorless nature, cellulose insulation provides recognized effectiveness without contributing unwanted odors.
Understanding Borax and Borate in Insulation
Borax and borate are naturally occurring substances that were first found in dried lake beds in Tibet around 700 B.C. and later manufactured for widespread consumer use in the 1800s. Today, they are commonly available in white powder form and are widely used in laundry detergents, household cleaning products, and insecticides. These minerals, derived from boric acid, have strong flame retardant properties and are also effective as antiseptics and neutron absorbers in nuclear reactors.
In cellulose insulation, borate plays a crucial role in fire protection and pest resistance. When added during production, it helps create a colorless, water-dissolving crystal that strengthens the material against mold, insects, and combustion. This combination of mineral salt and flame retardants makes cellulose insulation an effective and eco-friendly choice for households, ensuring both thermal efficiency and long-term protection from pests.
How Borate Works Against Insects
Borate is widely used in insulation as a repellent to keep your home naturally insect-free. There are two ways it helps combat bugs—by repelling and exterminating them. During the manufacturing process, borate is added properly to ensure that pests cannot breach the insulation. If a bug enters, it gets exterminated through contact with the powder present throughout the material.
When an insect walks through the powder form, it clings to its legs and body, absorbs into the metabolism and exoskeleton, and eventually realizes the need to clean itself, leading to ingesting the poison. This method is effective against bugs that groom themselves, including ants and cockroaches, but does not exterminate ticks, bed bugs, beetles, centipedes, flies, moths, and hornets. In such cases, you may need to contact a professional pest control company to eliminate those pests from your home.
Is Boric Acid in Insulation Safe?
Many people feel nervous when they hear the word “acid,” assuming it is dangerous like other chemical substances. However, boric acid (BA), a key ingredient in cellulose attic insulation, is actually safe when used correctly. It is less toxic than table salt and 14 times less harmful than caffeine, making it a popular choice for pest control and fire resistance. Found in over-the-counter antiseptic eye drops, boric acid is also used in everyday products. Unlike caustic chemicals that cause battery leaking or ruining a good shirt, it poses no harm in insulation. Adding it to insulation helps protect homes while remaining safe for people and pets, ensuring an effective and practical solution without sweat or concern.
Other Benefits of Boric Acid in Home and Pest Control
Boric acid (BA) is a powerful ingredient known for its antifungal, chemical, and pest control properties, making it a versatile solution for many household needs. Derived from boron, it has been widely used in home remedies, cleaning, and insect control for decades.
In health and home care, boric acid helps treat fungal infections such as athlete’s foot and vaginal yeast infections, and it is a key ingredient in eyewash solutions to cleanse, fight infections, and soothe frequent eye irritations. Additionally, it is effective in removing harmful pollutants from surfaces and serves as a natural alternative in home cleaning products.
For pest control, boric acid has been used for nearly a century to fight cockroaches, ants, fleas, termites, and silverfish. Since 1948, it has been registered in the U.S. as a trusted insecticide for preventing and eliminating pests. It works as a combination insecticide and fire retardant, helping to destroy unwanted invaders while also protecting timbers from wet and dry rot. Less toxic than harsh chemical pesticides, it provides a long-term, beneficial pest prevention method that is safer for humans and pets. With so many valuable properties, boric acid remains an essential part of insulation, pest control, and household maintenance.
Why Borate-Treated Cellulose Insulation is a Smart Choice
Borate-treated cellulose insulation is more than just a barrier against temperature changes; it also helps reduce pests in the attic. This high-density, high-performance, loose-fill insulation not only improves energy efficiency but also provides pest-resistant properties. When installed, it acts as a protective layer, preventing bugs, insects, fleas, ants, and termites from infesting your home. As insects come into contact with the borate-infused insulation, the tiny particles of powder stick to their legs and bodies. When they groom themselves, they ingest borate, which ultimately leads to elimination.
This method is effective because the insulation forms the top layer of the attic, creating a surface where pests land after entering through roof vents. Since it is not only designed for insulation but also pest control, it helps reduce pest presence in your home over time. With its protective properties, borate-treated cellulose insulation ensures that your attic remains a safer and more energy-efficient space while preventing unwanted infestations.
Final Thoughts
Cellulose insulation, when added with boric acid, is primarily used as a fire retardant, but it also provides pest-resistant properties in insulated areas. While it should not be solely relied upon for pest prevention, it can complement an overall pest management strategy. By being part of a comprehensive approach, it helps protect attics and other areas from infestations while maintaining energy efficiency. This method is effective in reducing pest activity and ensuring a long-term insulation solution for homeowners.
FAQ
What is the Downside of Cellulose Insulation?
Cellulose insulation has some downsides, as it is heavy and compacts underlying insulation over time. It also absorbs moisture from rains and high humidity, which can cause it to degrade and eventually need to be replaced. In attic areas, it may promote the growth of mold and mildew, leading to potential air quality issues if not properly maintained.
Is Cellulose Insulation Pest Resistant?
Yes, cellulose insulation is pest-resistant because it is made from recycled ground-up paper and added with boric acid. This treatment helps control insects and keep pests out, while also being fire-resistant, making it a strong choice for both insulation and pest prevention.
What is the Best Insulation to Keep Out Pests?
The best insulation to keep pests out is spray foam insulation, as it seals air leaks and prevents mice and pests from entering. It is ideal to install in existing walls, unfinished attics, crawl spaces, rim joists, and other openings where pests come in. This insulation creates a tight barrier, making it harder for pests to invade your home.
What Type of Insulation Do Rodents Not Like?
Spray foam insulation is the key to rodent prevention as it seals the home effectively, making it easier to stop rodents from entering. This insulation achieves the goal of creating a tight barrier, preventing rodents from getting inside and leaving safely. By sealing gaps in walls and attics, it helps protect the house from infestations.