In which insulation mice do not start: 6 ways to protect against mice at the construction stage
One of the worst nightmares for residents of private homes is the appearance of mice. These small rodents can cause serious damage not only to property, but also to the health of people living in the house. Dealing with them is quite difficult, so it is best to make an effort and prevent their occurrence.
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How mice get into the house
To understand how to protect your home from mice, you first need to figure out how they get inside. These rodents are able to crawl through even the smallest holes, so it will not be difficult for them to get into the house. The main ways of their penetration into the building are:
- air ducts. Such holes are usually located on the roof and allow rodents to enter directly into the ventilation system of the house;
- chimneys. In the warm season, stoves and fireplaces are usually not used to heat the room, so chimneys are an easy and affordable way for rodents to get inside the building;
- lack of glass and gaps in the windows. Animals easily enter the house even through narrow cracks, and unglazed windows look like an invitation to them;
Mice in a frame house: how to avoid it.
- ventilation holes in basements and walls. In the basements, people appear infrequently, and such an environment is very popular with rodents;
- small cracks and through holes in the corners. In old houses, this is a fairly common problem and an easy way for the animal to get inside;
- tree branches. Mice are excellent tree climbers and it will not be difficult for them to climb to great heights. If trees grow near the house, then it is very important to cut the branches that go down to the roof and open a direct path for rodents into the house.
How to protect your home from mice
After the penetration of mice into the house is determined, it is possible to take up the defense of the home.
Protecting the house from mice during the construction phase
In modern homes, protection against rodents is provided at the design stage. In order to prevent these uninvited guests from entering the home, builders use special materials to strengthen the foundation, walls and roof.
Foam glass, aerated concrete, penoizol.
They do not eat, but build dwellings from them.
They chew, but not for the purpose of food.
They can make moves, as in min wat.
concrete foundation
Monolithic concrete foundation.
A deepened concrete foundation will most likely prevent rodents from entering through underground tunnels. The thickness of such a foundation should be at least 100 cm.
The most effective protection is provided bymonolithic concrete slabs or laying the foundation on the principle of insulated Swedish plates.
With a strong desire, mice, of course, can also penetrate concrete, but most likely they will choose a more accessible target and will not waste time on this.
metal grate
Fine mesh grid.
The most effective protection against rodents is considered to be a fine-mesh steel grating. In the process of building a house, walls, floors and ventilation openings are strengthened with such a grid.
The grate is usually mounted, covering the entire perimeter and avoiding gaps. The width of one cell in the grid should not exceed 5-6 mm, otherwise the rodents will easily enter the house through a hole in it.
There are two main types of such a grid on the market, each of which has its pros and cons.
Metal profiled sheet
One of the options for reliable protection is also considered to be fencing a home with the help of a profiled sheet. It is also often laid at subfloor level. In this case, it is very important during installation to take into account the correct distance between the profiled sheet and the insulation. If these two layers are too close to each other, then condensation on the surface of the profiled sheet will reduce the effectiveness of thermal insulation.
When using a profiled sheet, it is also very important to give preference to better materials. Cheap options for such an overlap are likely to not last long.
Expanded clay
Production of expanded clay castle.
The structure of expanded clay is not particularly liked by rodents. It is difficult for them to wade through loose material and therefore they bypass it. Expanded clay is most effective as a protective layer. Even a layer of 10 cm will help block the way for rodents. Such protection is also called "expanded clay lock".
Sometimes expanded clay is advised to be used as a heater, but such use of this material is not entirely justified. The effectiveness of expanded clay as a heater is much lower compared to other materials.
Ecowool
Ecowool.
This material is often used as thermal insulation, and it is quite effective in this regard. There is an opinion that ecowool helps protect the house from rodents, as this material negatively affects their well-being.
Mice really will not linger for a long time next to the ecowool, but it will not be difficult for them to pass through the heat-insulating layer and follow further to their goal. Therefore, as a protection against animals, ecowool is not at all effective.
If, nevertheless, protection was not carried out in a timely manner and the mice got into the house, follow the links to the articles to get acquainted with sensible methods of dealing with mice.
Prevention of the appearance of mice in a residential building
As you know, most rodents settle near places where garbage accumulates, so they most often appear in unkempt areas. In addition, in such places it is easier for them to find shelter.
To prevent the appearance of mice, it is necessary to maintain order not only indoors, but also in the area around the house.
Household cleaning
Order in the garden and yard near the house will help you quickly notice the first signs of the presence of rodents and take timely action. To maintain cleanliness on the site, you must regularly perform the following actions:
- collect fallen leaves in a timely manner and not leave it on the territory;
- dry branches and firewood must be stored at a distance of 3-4 m from a residential building and at a height of about 90 cm above the ground;
Rodents behind bars.
- do not plant trees too close to the house, as mice are great at climbing them;
- if old trees grow near the house, then it is necessary to cut off the branches growing near the roof and windows;
- Waste containers are especially attractive to rodents, so all waste should be stored in tight bags and trash cans with closed lids.
Indoor order
Cleanliness and cleaning inside the premises are also very important for the prevention of the appearance of rodents. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain order throughout the house, and especially in those places where mice most often appear:
- underground. Underfloors should be carefully inspected for cracks and small holes. Also a clear sign of the presence of rodents is the presence of damage to the insulating material inside the underground. All holes found must be closed with steel wool or mesh;
Prevention is the best defense.
- attic. This part of the house is rarely visited by people, so it is best to leave a few traps there in case of intruders. Inside the attic itself, it is also important to maintain order and not accumulate excess rubbish;
- garage. This place is easily accessible for mice, and if there is a separate entrance from the garage to the house, the probability of their penetration inside is very high. In order to prevent the appearance of rodents in the garage, it is worth keeping the room in order and inspecting the doors and walls of the garage for holes and cracks;
- basement. Dark basements are also loved by mice, so inside the basements, as well as in the attics, it is worth placing traps and keeping them clean.
Home protection during renovation
During the period of repair work in the house is always a mess. And the presence of heaps of construction debris near the dwelling becomes an excellent refuge for rodents.
Repairs can very often be delayed and last from several weeks to several months. Throughout this period, it is important to defend the house and not let the mice inside, so you must adhere to the following recommendations:
- clean up construction waste in a timely manner and take it out of the local area;
- leave several traps for rodents in different parts of the house;
- install deterrent devices indoors.
Conclusion
Rodents that have settled in the house can bring a lot of problems, and it will definitely be more difficult to drive out an already bred colony. Therefore, protecting your home from mice is a very important issue that requires special attention.
It is best if the protection of the home was provided at the construction stage, but even if this is not the case, you should not give up. Compliance with the order, the implementation of recommendations for protection against rodents and the prevention of their appearance, will help to defeat the pest.
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