I get a lot of questions about bugs and mice in bale walls. I understand the thought as the image of a stack of bales in a barn usually conjurs images of a few mice and a handful of bugs; however, bales in a wall are very different than bales in a barn. The biggest difference is that the walls are covered in plaster and stacked very tightly. The plaster is the first line of defense against pests. The thickness of the plaster makes it very hard for mice and bugs to get in. If they were to get in, they would have a hard time negotiating the tight bale network. A loose stack of straw allows for bugs and mice to move freely while the densely stacked walls resist the movement of such pests.
About the Author
Andrew Morison is a specialist in straw bale and green construction. He has shown thousands of people how to build their own straw bale projects through his comprehensive series of instructional straw bale, concrete foundation, and plastering DVDs. You can check these out at www.LearnStrawBale.com..
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May 2nd, 2009 at 12:02 pm
Hello:
I would like to know if te termites attack bales as they in wood.
Thanks
May 4th, 2009 at 8:42 am
No. Termites and other bugs do not go after the straw. It is a waste product with no real food value for the termites. If you live in a termite prone area, you might consider framing with steel and using the bales as infill. This almost completely eliminates the risk of termite infestation and destruction.
January 18th, 2010 at 6:11 am
Andrew,
Can the bales be pre-treated with some type of inspect/rodent repellant during construction? I think that would be an additional safety precaution. If so, what with? I saw a vidoe online for the bales being sprinkled with a white powder, but it didn’t tell what the substance was.
February 15th, 2010 at 6:59 am
The white powder was probably boric acid. This insecticide generally comes in powder form, and is also available in a chalk-like stick form for household use in kitchens.