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Hi Dennis,
Everyone here is making generalizations and nothing in specific. Yes, termites and especially the Formosan termites are drawn to cellulose. There is one company that I know of that manufactures the best insulation available hands down. It is cellulose, however, it is treated with a non-toxic chemical. It insulates thermally and from a sound transmission standpoint much better than fiberglass. It also will not burn. I watched them apply it and then put some in their hand. They then lit a blow torch and tried to light the insulation in their hand. It didn’t burn. They then melted a penny on it and it still didn’t burn. Point being the flame had to be pretty hot to melt the penny. Great stuff!!! Will not retain moisture, insulates better and is fireproof and treated against insects. Too bad so many people on here don’t know about it. It is by a company called Greenstone and is called, Cocoon. Call a guy named Tom Ward at 877-335-4687 and he can hook you up with someone in your part of the country.
Good Luck,
Phil
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Has anyone seen termites taking up residence in cellulose insulated walls?
I know this stuff is great insulation, but I just can't see myslef using something that is termite food as well as subject to mold.
Dennis
*Yes they will eat cellulose.They will also eat the paper off of kraft faced insulation, the asphalt impregnated fiberboard found between the exterior studs and the brick, the studs and other framing, the paper off of the back of drywall, and just about anything else they come in contact with. Worrying about cellulose insulation offering a safe harbor and food supply for termites is a complete waste of your time. If you get termites in the wall in the first place, you are in big trouble. Cellulose or not, you are going to have problems. Best thing to do is to start a termite prevention maintenance system for your home. Keep them from getting to their food source in the first place. Once they get there, you have a whole new, and different type of battle ahead.Just a thought...James DuHamel
*Your point is well taken, and in La Crosse, I have taken great care to isolate the plates, etc. from the surroundings as well as providing good drainage. Now as for the mold problem. Have you used icynene? I was quoted by phone $1.23/ftsq. Oh, I think I shall start another thread on this one. Thanks for the thougts on termites.Dennis
*Hi:A little off topic, but relevant. This may be common knowledge to some, but others may find it interesting:I talked to a licensed termite inspector today (didn't know there was such a thing). We had a conversation about termites and moisture. He told me that the presents and absence of termites is closely linked to moisture. Termites (or most all other wood-eating insects) will not infest dry wood. He showed me his moisture meter that he uses to test wood in subfloors and joists in the crawl space. He said that: ~10% or less moisture - great for termite prevention but may be too dry of a structure ~13% moisture level is good for preventing termites, but still friendly to hardwood floors, etc, ~17% moisture is reason for alarm. Good termite food 21% moisture is serious. For mortgages and refinance inspection, this a red flag which will prevent the deal from going forward.
*Hi Dennis,Are termites common over there? I really don't worry about them here, I haven't seen any termite damage.MD
*Mad Dog,No, termites don't seem to be a problem where I at in La Crosse. My parents had them, though and my dad and I fought them with chloridane from 55 gal barrels. Funny, they never came back.Dennis
*i "Termites (or most all other wood-eating insects) will not infest dry wood."He's talking about subterranean termites, which account for 80% of all termites. There are also dry wood termites and damp wood termites.
*Hi Dennis,Everyone here is making generalizations and nothing in specific. Yes, termites and especially the Formosan termites are drawn to cellulose. There is one company that I know of that manufactures the best insulation available hands down. It is cellulose, however, it is treated with a non-toxic chemical. It insulates thermally and from a sound transmission standpoint much better than fiberglass. It also will not burn. I watched them apply it and then put some in their hand. They then lit a blow torch and tried to light the insulation in their hand. It didn't burn. They then melted a penny on it and it still didn't burn. Point being the flame had to be pretty hot to melt the penny. Great stuff!!! Will not retain moisture, insulates better and is fireproof and treated against insects. Too bad so many people on here don't know about it. It is by a company called Greenstone and is called, Cocoon. Call a guy named Tom Ward at 877-335-4687 and he can hook you up with someone in your part of the country.Good Luck,Phil