Insulation Archives - Arrow Environmental Services - Pest Control and Exterminator Services

23Jan2023

What Everyone Needs to Know About Tap Insulation

If you've been looking into pest control techniques, you may have heard of TAP® Pest Control Insulation. It's a specialized service offered by only a select group of exterminators across the country, but hearing that may come with some degree of confusion. What is TAP insulation? Whatever questions you may have about the product or the process, we can answer them!

What's TAP Pest Control Insulation?

TAP, or T·A·P as it's sometimes spelled, stands for Thermal, Acoustical, Pest Control Insulation. Unlike sheets of fiberglass batting or globs of foam insulation, TAP is made up of loose cellulose that is blown into your attic or the voids in your walls. It settles, and once it does it can kill a variety of pests while also functioning as an excellent insulation.

How Does TAP Kill Bugs?

Unlike other forms of insulation, TAP is specially treated with a borate solution that, to humans, is about as toxic as table salt. But as insects come into contact with it, the material sticks to their bodies and is then ingested when they groom themselves. Since they are unable to pass the substance, it gathers in their guts and eventually causes them to die of dehydration or malnutrition.

What Pests Can It Kill?

You can see the complete list of pests that TAP insulation is effective against on the product's EPA label. TAP is effective on smaller insects like ants and termites, as well as bigger bugs like beetles, roaches, and slugs. TAP is not effective on rats, mice or squirrels.

How Eco-Friendly is It?

Yes! Cellulose is already viewed as one of the greenest building products in the world, and the cellulose we work with is over 80% recycled materials. If that wasn't enough, TAP is registered with the Environmental Protection Agency, which has devoted entire studies to knowing exactly how this product can control bugs and protect your home in a way that is sustainable as well as effective.

How Long Does TAP® Pest Control Insulation Last?

Since insects cannot build up a tolerance to the borate inside the cellulose, TAP insulation has the benefit of maintaining its pest-killing properties for decades at a time. Unless the material is damaged by moisture or rodents, it can insulate and kill pests for up to 100 years!

Do I Need to Get Rid of My Existing Insulation?

If your existing insulation is damaged by rodents or excess moisture, you may want to consider getting it removed before installing a new material. If that isn't the case, since TAP is loose fill, it can be easily blown in over any existing insulation.

Is TAP Insulation Good Insulation?

That's ultimately what it comes down to. It's nice in theory to have insulation that can combat pests, but that won't be worth it if that same material can't regulate temperature or block out sound. Luckily, TAP insulation does more than kill a majority of pests that come into contact with it. Since cellulose is thicker than other forms of traditional insulation, it slows the flow of air through it. That means that it keeps your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Your HVAC equipment will have less wear and tear and use less energy, ultimately saving money on your annual heating and cooling bills. If that wasn't enough, TAP is also very effective at reducing sounds from outside. For more information, or to get an estimate for installing TAP Insulation, contact us today!

23Nov2022

Insulation, Mice, Rats, Rodents Pest Control, Pest Control Tips, Pest Prevention Nov 23, 2022Jan 30, 2024

Keeping Rodents Out of Your Insulation

Most homeowners in Southwest Florida know the signs of rodent infestations. Piles of droppings and patches of urine, bite and scratch marks all point to a rat or mouse in the house. You can call a pest control company like Arrow Environmental Services to remove the rodents - but is that the end of your problem? If the mouse or rat infestation nested in your insulation, they could cause the kind of damage that exterminating companies can't handle. What do you do then? Why do rats and mice end up in your insulation, and how can Arrow Environmental Services help? Let's answer all of that and more below.

Rats In My Insulation?

Why would rats or mice want to get into your insulation? It's surprisingly simple. Rodents come into a home or business looking for shelter and food to survive on. They're usually drawn to areas that are quiet and undisturbed, like your attic or the void inside your walls. The insulation there is only an added benefit. Fiberglass insulation, the most common for homes in the area, is also the favorite of rodents and other pests. Rats and mice tunnel through the batting, tearing at the material to eat or nest with. And while they do all of that, they'll also be defecating in the same place where they eat and sleep. So even after you remove the rodents from your home, the mess they made is still left behind them. You can't fix damaged insulation. You also can't change it on your own, since rodent droppings may contain Hantavirus that can spread into the air if improperly handled. You need a home service expert that can safely remove and replace the material. Or, even better, you need Arrow Environmental Services to make sure rodents don't have a chance to get inside your property.

Keeping Rats Out with Arrow

You can say a lot about rodents, but they can't go through walls. They get in through cracks, gaps and other openings on the outside of a property. If you remove rats or mice without taking care of these entry points, it's only a matter of time before more rodents take their place. That's where Arrow Environmental Services makes a real difference. Part of our rodent control strategy involves finding and remedying all major vulnerabilities in a property. This not only protects your home from rat and mice infestation, but it can also actually deter other kinds of pests as well. There is no material of insulation that is completely rodent proof. That's why it's so important to prevent these invading rodents from gaining access to this vital part of your home's structure. With Arrow Environmental Services we can ensure your insulation is kept intact. Your heating and cooling systems will run better, and you'll live more comfortably. Ready to learn more? Contact Arrow Environmental Services today!