Packing Peanuts vs. Pests?

[Diggin It]

Middle of the night, brain goes to odd things.

I'll have a void at the base of the walls in the shed I've been working on. I could fill it with dirt but there are the termites. I could fill it with gravel or crushed concrete, but the ground outside is lower and either will probably settle out over time, maybe pushing the lower wall section out. All will retain moisture to a degree and promote rust on the metal walls over time.

Lots of people use styrofoam in various forms for insulation or weatherproofing/waterproofing and insect deterrence. So I go to wondering about packing peanuts. Easy to pour, will settle over time but not pack down or add stress. Won't retain moisture or host bugs.

Is it as stupid an idea as it sounds?

 

[oosik]

I would check carefully. Some are made of starch - they are biodegradable. I've heard stories of how these can attract rodents. Otherwise - those made of styrofoam would probably work fine.

 

[Diggin It]

Yeah, the corn grease stuff wouldn't work. Much like corn juice in gas.

I'm thinking of the real ones.

 

[KennyG]

I would question the insulation and void filling value. They won't pack tightly and will leave significant air space. I think this would allow air movement and pest movement. Spray foam would be a lot better.

 

[Diggin It]

Light Bulb Moment!! :lightbulb: :lightbulb:


Stumbled on some styrofoam panel pieces I had saved many years ago and stuffed up in top of the garage. (Yeah, I'm a pack rat). Should have enough assorted sizes to cut and fill most of the void. It's real styrofoam, the hard white pieces that they might not even make any more. It'll be more stable against settling than peanuts and will withstand pests and moisture even better.