HOUSE MOUSE DAMAGE TO INSULATION .2.

House mice (Mus musculus) were introduced into 10, 10 . 2cm thick insu lated panels and provided unlimited food and water for 6 months. Mouse populations increased three- to four-fold inside the insulated panels . Aluminum foil vapor barriers were severely damaged by mice and in al l cases, reduced to less than half of their original mass. All of the insulation materials tested (insulation board, fiberglass batt, rockwo ol, beadboard and vermiculite) sustained significant levels of damage (p < 0 . 01) as measured by increased thermal conductance. Researchers have yet to discover an insulative material that is not susceptible t o house mouse damage.