Steve_S
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# Posted: 5 Sep 2017 09:11pm - Edited by: Steve_S
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I'd like to chime in here with a couple of thoughts... living in bush and dealing with "invaders".
1) Realise & Admit that this is not a war you will ever win... They outnumber & outsmart at every turn and there is no foolproof, guaranteed means of winning, short of going to outer space.
2) They are looking for two very simple things, shelter & food. Same as everything else alive on this rock.
Simple part is over, now the tough part... How to combat them without killing yourself in the process.
Uninviting !
Don't invite them indoors ! If you want something to stay out then don't use Fiberglass Batt insulation, Loose & Blown fill can also be very problematic. The mice, bugs & others burrow in there and make lovely nests, some elaborate condo's even... Over the years to follow it only get's worse, quite a swiss cheese effect really. I've taken apart a few houses and some pretty old ones too.... believe me, it ain't pretty !
Foams, like sprayed, poly-iso (foil faced) EPS-2 and XPS types don't allow for bugs, mice or others... not chewable, not for tunneling/nesting either. Stays consistent R-values and is a vapour barrier as well if properly installed.
Difficulties, once a place is built, retrofitting is... well... unpleasant. (I have many other words but not suitable here  ) each piece has to be cut, fitting & sealed with low expansion spray. It does cut easy and such, but the wood will have warps, twists & cupping after build, so, fiddly to say the least. SPRAYS... well if the cavities are open, then it's a no brainer BUT $$$$
Simpler & Easier is to use Roxul Rockwool, I believe it's available pretty much anywhere, there are other brands too but I can't speak to them. It is Rodent Unfriendly ! They won't burrow or nest in it, has to do with how it's woven while being produced, plus it's mineral so there are bonuses, doesn't wick or hold moisture, still breaths, so vapour barriers etc must be applied. Bugs will still travel through it but these also don't destroy it.
A mouse can squeeze through < 1/3 of an inch, rats < 1/2 an inch. Younger ones can go smaller. Squirrels & Chippies can make their own holes to cause havoc and bigger critters... well that's another issues ain't it... 
Resistance is NOT Futile !
Tight Flashings, Galvanized tin drip edges, are all important.
Underside sheeting (using galvanized metal flashing strips up to 24" wide with opposing J bends on each end that lock together) *any tin roofing supplier can bend them up and it's cheap & safe. The PITA about this is attaching them underside and locking the sheets together and nailing them up with galv. roofing nails. 2+ person job. But Tin is Tin and biting/chewing through flat stock tin, won't be an animal doing it...
FLOOR INSULATION !
Figured I'd mention that in particular... whatever you do, realize that water/fluid WILL find there way down under the floor surface ! Last thing you want in there is any insulation that will allow water in &/OR hold it in there for any time. Not only will that increase molds & mildews but accompanying rot, affecting you and the building.
This is where if you are Open Underneath, one way to combat this is by spraying a 1" layer of foam on the floor sheeting and joists from underneath... allow to cure and fill with Roxul, House Wrap then Tin. Pretty much bullet proof. Using "Foils / Plastics" instead of tin, would have to be pretty tough stuff and be able to stand the test of time, the thin flimsy stuff, certainly NOT even worth a ponderance beyond it's sole mention here...
TIP: If you have pipes, conduits etc coming through the floor underneath, wrap then in a plastic sleeve and tape at each end, keeps the spray foam from gluing itself to them, making them VERY difficult to service/remove if required.
Using Mesh / Screening... It can keep mice out, to a point, small breaks, tears can be opened by them but not easy. Allows air / moisture through - depending on elevation from grade level, airflow and more, this can be bad ! If too low, low air movement and damp, it's not a healthy mix, simply put. Exposed to outside, insulation of any form is just not a good idea regardless of where you are. Some folks do it and haven't complained of problems BUT the odds are against it...
Most of this is a combo of common sense, having ripped apart many places and built a few and keeping up to date on things of interest which is being a Cabineer ! and surviving the adventure of it...
Hope this Helps & Good Luck
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