If this is the case you need to consider rodent activity as a potential major threat to your new insulation.
Attic mice replace insulation.
Mice are fearful so if they can hide their whereabouts they will do so especially when they hear you coming.
If insulation has been contaminated by rat droppings or urine the only cleanup option may be to remove the contaminated areas and properly dispose of it.
Mice often tunnel in materials like this and can even get behind fiberglass insulation in order to keep them warm while they are nesting.
At art plumbing ac electric we provide a wide range of attic insulation solutions.
Listen for the scratching sounds of tiny feet.
If not doing insulation replacement then at least remove them by hand with gloves.
Be sure to use a good filter vacuum.
Spray foam and blown in insulation are more specialized and tend to give better results.
Mice will often nest inside insulation for this purpose since the insulation gives them warmth and protects them against outside elements.
Removal and replacement of attic insulation including sealing penetrations from below assuming you already have the standard vapor barrier on top of the topfloor ceiling drywall should run in the 1 2 sf range in a normally accessible attic if low headroom less than 5 feet or so down the middle or low headroom flat roof then closer to 3 sf.
Mice often find haven in nooks and crannies of a home where they can find both shelter and a source of sustenance.
It s best to leave your attic insulation repair and replacement to the professionals.
Here s a checklist for how to identify and get rid of mice in the attic.
A note about new attic insulation.
If you don t hear sounds indicating mice in the attic that doesn t mean they aren t there.
Our attic insulation removal service involves the use of a custom designed high powered vacuum which is connected to a very long hose.
2 look for.
Raccoons and opossums leave lots of large feces in the attic.
The small droppings of rats mice squirrels and bats can be vacuumed up if they are not present in too high a quantity.
Wait a few minutes.
Leave your attic to the professionals.
Removal of mice starts with recognizing the noise and other signs of mice.
Identify the noise of mice in the attic.
You might be reading this article because you are considering replacing your attic insulation or you are adding insulation to a newly constructed attic.
Inspect your attic for tunnelling especially if your house has blown in insulation.
Getting rid of mice nesting in the insulation requires diligence and the right materials.