TAP® Asks and Answers

cellulose insulation in an attic floor

You do a lot to keep your home running smoothly. And, while we here at Loyal Termite & Pest Control are capable of handling a wide range of residential pest control situations, we would rather you not have to call for extermination in the first place. Wouldn’t it be better to have a constant pest defense system in your home, one that can kill a variety of insect pests while also saving you money and fostering sustainability? All of that’s possible with TAP® Insulation. But why would a pest control company install insulation? And what can our services do to make your home more comfortable and improve your quality of life? Let’s talk about it below.

TAP® Insulation Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How can TAP® Insulation kill pests?

A. The loose-fill cellulose is coated with a layer of Boric acid, and when pests come into contact with them it coats their bodies. Eventually, the mineral gets into their system when they groom themselves or each other, and since insects are unable to pass it, they eventually die of dehydration or malnutrition.

Q. What Makes TAP® Insulation eco-friendly?

A. TAP Insulation is made up of over 80% recycled materials, and the Boric acid that infuses the cellulose is a naturally occurring mineral. TAP Insulation also functions as a quality insulator, and since it allows your HVAC appliances to run less and use less energy, it lowers your household’s carbon footprint.

Q. How does TAP® save me money?

A. Installing TAP® will result in you paying less for your energy bills. And since it provides a near-constant defense from a wide variety of pests, you reduce the chance of having to pay for pest control treatment. There is, of course, the cost of installation. But TAP lasts almost indefinitely and very quickly pays for itself.

Q. Does TAP® kill rats, mice, or wildlife?

A. The concentration of Boric acid isn’t enough to kill pests larger than roaches, beetles or snails. Because of that, they won’t affect rodents or larger wildlife. That’s a good thing, as it means TAP poses no risk to you, your children, or even your pets!

Q. What do I need to do before installing TAP® Insulation?

A. Possibly nothing! TAP is easily applied over existing insulation. If your current material is damaged by rodents or moisture, you could take this as an opportunity to remove it and start fresh. Otherwise, you can easily install TAP over fiberglass or spray foam for added pest-killing protection.

Loyal Termite & Pest Control for TAP® Insulation

TAP Insulation is only one of the services we offer for our friends and neighbors in Eastern & Central Virginia. You may need something less preventative and more active. Do you have a pest infestation, be it rats in the walls or ants on the countertop? If that’s the case, we have the experience and skill set you need to end the infestation. And once your home is pest-free*, we have the strategies to keep that up for many seasons to come. Want to learn more and get your free quote? Loyal Termite & Pest Control can answer any questions you may have. Contact us today to get started!

How TAP® Insulation is Changing Pest Control

As the weather gets chilly, it’s a good time to start thinking about preparing your home for winter weather as well as keeping out pests that want to get in out of the cold. Your insulation is a huge factor in your home’s internal temperature and energy bills. If it’s uncomfortable or drafty, or you experience infestations of pests and bothersome wildlife, you likely need more insulation. What if we told you that there is an insulation product on the market that can help keep you cozy and pCellulose TAP Insulation on an attic floorest-free all winter long? There is. It’s called Thermal Acoustic Pest Contol insulation or TAP® insulation. At Loyal Termite and Pest Control, we install TAP® Insulation throughout Eastern & Central Virginia. 

What’s TAP® Insulation?

TAP® Insulation is made from cellulose, an eco-friendly material commonly used as blown-in insulation, with one big difference. The cellulose used in this type of insulation is treated with borates, which are mineral salts extracted from the earth. While humans won’t be adversely affected by the borates in TAP® insulation, most insect pests will die after ingesting it. It kills a wide range of common insect pests, including:

  • Ants
  • Cockroaches
  • Stink Bugs
  • Termites

It only takes a few hours for one of our highly-trained technicians to blow TAP® insulation into your attic but once it’s done, it keeps working for decades and should never need to be replaced. In addition, it can be applied over any existing insulation you have.

What does TAP® Insulation do?

The capacity of TAP® insulation to kill insects is one of its main advantages. These pests attempt to nest inside the insulation, and as a result, become covered in a layer of boric acid. They consume the substance while grooming themselves, are unable to pass it, and as a result, the chemical accumulates in their bodies. They eventually die from dehydration or hunger, and because TAP® insulation never needs to be replaced, this cycle never ends. 

In addition to being effective at killing insects, TAP® insulation is a genuinely efficient insulator. After initial installation, homeowners can save up to an estimated 30% on their yearly energy bills, and stay cozy in the winter and cool in the summer. TAP® insulation is one of the few insulations to be both UL Classified for safety and sustainability and Energy Star approved.

Loyal Pest Control is a Certified TAP® Installer

At Loyal Termite and Pest Control, our goal is to keep our customers in Eastern and Central Virginia pest-free* and we offer all types of pest control treatments to do that. But in our opinion, the best kind of treatment is prevention. TAP® insulation is a smart way to help prevent insect infestations in your home. This winter, keep warm, save some money, and worry less about insects in your home. Contact us for a personalized quote!