{"id":5459,"date":"2022-04-15T06:32:23","date_gmt":"2022-04-15T06:32:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/how-long-do-straw-bale-houses-last\/"},"modified":"2022-04-16T10:27:41","modified_gmt":"2022-04-16T10:27:41","slug":"how-long-do-straw-bale-houses-last","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/how-long-do-straw-bale-houses-last\/","title":{"rendered":"How long do straw bale houses last?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_17 counter-hierarchy counter-decimal ez-toc-grey\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"display: none;\"><i class=\"ez-toc-glyphicon ez-toc-icon-toggle\"><\/i><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class=\"ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1\"><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/how-long-do-straw-bale-houses-last\/#How_long_do_straw_bale_houses_last\" title=\"How long do straw bale houses last?\">How long do straw bale houses last?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/how-long-do-straw-bale-houses-last\/#Do_straw_bales_attract_mice\" title=\"Do straw bales attract mice?\">Do straw bales attract mice?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/how-long-do-straw-bale-houses-last\/#How_do_you_make_a_straw_shelter\" title=\"How do you make a straw shelter?\">How do you make a straw shelter?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/how-long-do-straw-bale-houses-last\/#Do_straw_bale_houses_rot\" title=\"Do straw bale houses rot?\">Do straw bale houses rot?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/how-long-do-straw-bale-houses-last\/#Are_straw_bale_houses_durable\" title=\"Are straw bale houses durable?\">Are straw bale houses durable?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/how-long-do-straw-bale-houses-last\/#What_are_the_disadvantages_of_straw_bale_construction\" title=\"What are the disadvantages of straw bale construction?\">What are the disadvantages of straw bale construction?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/how-long-do-straw-bale-houses-last\/#How_long_will_a_straw_bale_last_outside\" title=\"How long will a straw bale last outside?\">How long will a straw bale last outside?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/how-long-do-straw-bale-houses-last\/#How_do_I_keep_mice_out_of_my_straw\" title=\"How do I keep mice out of my straw?\">How do I keep mice out of my straw?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/how-long-do-straw-bale-houses-last\/#Does_straw_attract_rodents\" title=\"Does straw attract rodents?\">Does straw attract rodents?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/how-long-do-straw-bale-houses-last\/#Do_mice_nest_in_straw\" title=\"Do mice nest in straw?\">Do mice nest in straw?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/how-long-do-straw-bale-houses-last\/#Does_hay_and_straw_attract_rats\" title=\"Does hay and straw attract rats?\">Does hay and straw attract rats?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/how-long-do-straw-bale-houses-last\/#How_do_I_build_a_cheap_winter_cat_shelter\" title=\"How do I build a cheap winter cat shelter?\">How do I build a cheap winter cat shelter?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/how-long-do-straw-bale-houses-last\/#How_do_you_make_a_winter_proof_cat_house\" title=\"How do you make a winter proof cat house?\">How do you make a winter proof cat house?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/how-long-do-straw-bale-houses-last\/#How_long_do_straw_walls_last\" title=\"How long do straw walls last?\">How long do straw walls last?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/how-long-do-straw-bale-houses-last\/#How_long_does_a_straw_bale_home_last\" title=\"How long does a straw bale home last?\">How long does a straw bale home last?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/how-long-do-straw-bale-houses-last\/#What_are_the_disadvantages_of_straw\" title=\"What are the disadvantages of straw?\">What are the disadvantages of straw?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/how-long-do-straw-bale-houses-last\/#How_long_will_a_straw_bale_house_last\" title=\"How long will a straw bale house last?\">How long will a straw bale house last?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/how-long-do-straw-bale-houses-last\/#What_is_the_disadvantage_of_bale_house\" title=\"What is the disadvantage of bale house?\">What is the disadvantage of bale house?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/how-long-do-straw-bale-houses-last\/#Can_straw_bales_be_left_outside\" title=\"Can straw bales be left outside?\">Can straw bales be left outside?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/how-long-do-straw-bale-houses-last\/#Can_straw_be_stored_outside\" title=\"Can straw be stored outside?\">Can straw be stored outside?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/how-long-do-straw-bale-houses-last\/#What_happens_to_straw_if_it_gets_wet\" title=\"What happens to straw if it gets wet?\">What happens to straw if it gets wet?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/how-long-do-straw-bale-houses-last\/#Can_straw_bales_get_rained_on\" title=\"Can straw bales get rained on?\">Can straw bales get rained on?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/how-long-do-straw-bale-houses-last\/#Does_straw_attract_mice\" title=\"Does straw attract mice?\">Does straw attract mice?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/how-long-do-straw-bale-houses-last\/#What_scent_will_keep_mice_away\" title=\"What scent will keep mice away?\">What scent will keep mice away?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/how-long-do-straw-bale-houses-last\/#How_do_you_keep_rodents_out_of_hay\" title=\"How do you keep rodents out of hay?\">How do you keep rodents out of hay?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_long_do_straw_bale_houses_last\"><\/span>How long do straw bale houses last?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>100 years<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_straw_bales_attract_mice\"><\/span>Do straw bales attract mice?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Straw has nothing edible to attract mice but hay has grass seeds that provide good winter provender for mice families. Straw bales stacked for supporting walls and structures have no holes in which mice can tunnel and no spaces in which to build nests, but hay bales stacked in a barn have many.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_you_make_a_straw_shelter\"><\/span>How do you make a straw shelter?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Straw breaks down quickly under a dog, creating a pile of straw dust. Indeed, <b>it is better than nothing, but if used, it should be changed every few days. Conversely, grass hay will retain its structure much longer than straw, creating much less dust.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_straw_bale_houses_rot\"><\/span>Do straw bale houses rot?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Fact: Yes, straw is an organic material but in order for it to decompose both air and water are required. <b>If your home is properly built to reduce air pockets and humidity, the straw will not decompose. Rice straw is a particularly decay-resistant building material. Myth: Straw stinks.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_straw_bale_houses_durable\"><\/span>Are straw bale houses durable?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>With good maintenance, straw bale construction is <b>very durable. Straw bales are 100% biodegradable. Properly-constructed straw bale walls can offer better fire resistance than timber frame construction.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_the_disadvantages_of_straw_bale_construction\"><\/span>What are the disadvantages of straw bale construction?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>The Disadvantages of Straw Bale Construction<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Labor.<\/li>\n<li>Moisture Susceptibility.<\/li>\n<li>Maintenance.<\/li>\n<li>Structural Movement.<\/li>\n<li>Acceptance Problems.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_long_will_a_straw_bale_last_outside\"><\/span>How long will a straw bale last outside?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>How long do straw bales last outside? If you keep your bales out of the elements, especially moisture, <b>they can last for years. However, if allowed to absorb moisture and heat, as would happen with a straw bale garden or planter, for example, hay bales will begin to break down and only last for one growing season.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_I_keep_mice_out_of_my_straw\"><\/span>How do I keep mice out of my straw?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Joel Karsten, a straw bale gardening expert and author of several books including Straw Bale Gardens: The Breakthrough Method for Growing Vegetables Anywhere, Earlier and with No Weeding, says that <b>regular watering and adding some mesh as a barrier between the straw and the ground are two great ways to keep rodents <\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_straw_attract_rodents\"><\/span>Does straw attract rodents?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Use <b>straw bales instead of hay bales. Hay bales are more likely to attract rodents looking for a place to nest. Damp cloth and straw is an attractive home and water source for rodents.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_mice_nest_in_straw\"><\/span>Do mice nest in straw?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Dry straw would provide a lovely home for a mouse or nest for a snake, but once the straw is saturated with water and begins to break down and heat up inside the bales, the bale is not at all hospitable to a mouse or snake. If they are trying to nest, they need a dry spot to protect their baby mice.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_hay_and_straw_attract_rats\"><\/span>Does hay and straw attract rats?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>There is no greater risk of encouraging mice and rats into a straw bale building than there is for any other type of building. Straw is the empty stem of a baled grain crop and, unlike hay, it doesn&#8217;t contain food to attract furry creatures. Any home where food is left out in the open is a potential lure for vermin.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_I_build_a_cheap_winter_cat_shelter\"><\/span>How do I build a cheap winter cat shelter?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Straw<b>Not Hayfor Outdoor Cat Shelters<\/b> They look similar, but while straw makes excellent bedding for outdoor cat shelters, hay becomes a soggy mess. Hay is typically used to feed animals, like horses. It soaks up moisture, making it cold and uncomfortable for catsand has the potential to get moldy.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_you_make_a_winter_proof_cat_house\"><\/span>How do you make a winter proof cat house?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Line a large plastic container with styrofoam.<\/b><b>Keep the cover on, but cut out a doorway. There you have an instant shelter to offer cats protection from the cold weather. Even better, add a layer of straw between the container and styrofoam for extra insulation, and add another layer on the floor.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_long_do_straw_walls_last\"><\/span>How long do straw walls last?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>100 years<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_long_does_a_straw_bale_home_last\"><\/span>How long does a straw bale home last?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>100 years<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_the_disadvantages_of_straw\"><\/span>What are the disadvantages of straw?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Fact: Yes, straw is an organic material but in order for it to decompose both air and water are required. <b>If your home is properly built to reduce air pockets and humidity, the straw will not decompose. Rice straw is a particularly decay-resistant building material. Myth: Straw stinks.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_long_will_a_straw_bale_house_last\"><\/span>How long will a straw bale house last?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Drinking through a straw can contribute to <b>lip wrinkles, bloating, cavities, and teeth staining. If you must drink through a straw, consider using a reusable straw to reduce plastic waste. The production and disposal of plastic straws contribute to environmental pollution.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_disadvantage_of_bale_house\"><\/span>What is the disadvantage of bale house?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>100 years<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_straw_bales_be_left_outside\"><\/span>Can straw bales be left outside?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If hay is to be stored outside, it is desirable to <b>locate the storage site close to the feeding area because bales become more difficult to handle as they weather. It is easier to move them a greater distance when they are new and tightly wrapped. Well-drained upland storage sites are best.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_straw_be_stored_outside\"><\/span>Can straw be stored outside?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>When storing hay outside, <b>cover the hay with plastic or another type of waterproof material. If you are unable to cover the bales, arrange the bales so that air can circulate between them to promote drying.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_happens_to_straw_if_it_gets_wet\"><\/span>What happens to straw if it gets wet?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Damp straw, stored indoors can <b>develop white moulds binding the bale together and making it impossible to spread out. Just 7 inches depth of wet straw in a round bale is half the straw in the bale. If it takes the same amount of dry straw to dry up wet straw then the bales would make no contribution to bedding a pen!<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_straw_bales_get_rained_on\"><\/span>Can straw bales get rained on?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>There will be some moisture uptake, but not so much. If you hay gets rained on near to when <b>it&#8217;s cut, it&#8217;ll have less impact. If it gets rained on near to when it&#8217;s dry, then you will have leaf shatter, says Undersander. However, if hay bales are too wet, mold can grow and give off heat, creating a fire hazard.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_straw_attract_mice\"><\/span>Does straw attract mice?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Straw has nothing edible to attract mice but hay has grass seeds that provide good winter provender for mice families. Straw bales stacked for supporting walls and structures have no holes in which mice can tunnel and no spaces in which to build nests, but hay bales stacked in a barn have many.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_scent_will_keep_mice_away\"><\/span>What scent will keep mice away?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Mice have a very keen sense of smell that is much stronger than what humans experience. You can use this trait to repel mice and use scents that mice hate like <b>cinnamon, vinegar, dryer sheets, clove oil, peppermint, tea bags, mint toothpaste, ammonia, cloves, clove oil, and cayenne pepper<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_you_keep_rodents_out_of_hay\"><\/span>How do you keep rodents out of hay?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Use <b>straw bales instead of hay bales. Hay bales are more likely to attract rodents looking for a place to nest. Damp cloth and straw is an attractive home and water source for rodents.<\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Table of Contents How long do straw bale houses last?Do straw bales attract mice?How do you make a straw shelter?Do straw bale houses rot?Are straw bale houses durable?What are the disadvantages of straw bale construction?How long will a straw bale last outside?How do I keep mice out of my straw?Does straw attract rodents?Do mice nest&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"default","_kad_post_title":"default","_kad_post_layout":"default","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"default","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"default","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"spay_email":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[619],"tags":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5459"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5459"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5459\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":51692,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5459\/revisions\/51692"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5459"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5459"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5459"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}