TAP is EPA-registered insulation that cuts energy bills, quiets your home, and eliminates dozens of common household pests from the attic down. A single installation lasts the lifetime of your home.
TAP stands for Thermal, Acoustical, Pest Control. It is a loose-fill cellulose insulation made from recycled paper and treated with EPA-registered borate. Once blown into your attic by a licensed installer, it forms a continuous blanket that insulates your home, dampens sound, and slowly eliminates dozens of species of insects that venture into or live above your ceiling.
Unlike chemical sprays that break down over weeks or months, TAP's borate active ingredient does not wear out. Research by the University of Kentucky and other land-grant universities has documented TAP's pest control performance across decades. For Northeast Georgia homeowners facing warm, humid conditions that attract roaches, silverfish, termites, and cluster flies, TAP offers a one-time investment with ongoing returns.
Most pest problems start at the perimeter of your home and travel inward through attics, wall voids, and crawl spaces. TAP creates a treated layer that pests must cross and cannot survive long in. Insects ingest the borate during grooming, which disrupts their digestive system and eliminates them slowly over time.
Most Northeast Georgia attics are underinsulated. Heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer drive up utility bills and wear HVAC systems out early. TAP adds R-3.8 per inch and settles into every gap, soffit, and joist bay, giving you a complete, seamless thermal envelope.
TAP's EPA registration covers dozens of household pest species. Here are the ones Northeast Georgia homeowners encounter most.
Full EPA label covers 50+ species. Ask your Hanco technician for the complete list during your attic evaluation.
Five quick questions. We'll tell you whether your home is a strong candidate for TAP, what installation approach fits, and what kind of results to expect.
TAP's active ingredient is borate, a naturally occurring mineral compound. When an insect crosses TAP insulation, microscopic borate particles adhere to its body. Insects groom themselves constantly, ingesting the borate. Once in the digestive system, borate disrupts the insect's metabolism, eliminating it within days to weeks.
Because borate is a stomach poison rather than a contact poison, insects cannot build resistance to it the way they can with many sprays. And because the mineral does not break down, TAP's pest control effectiveness does not decline over time. Research from the University of Kentucky Entomology Department has documented TAP's continued performance more than a decade after installation.
Borate's safety profile is well-established. It is used in contact lens solutions, laundry boosters, and as a food preservative. In TAP, it is contained within the insulation matrix and settles into attic cavities and wall voids where children and pets do not access.
| Feature | Fiberglass Batts | Standard Cellulose | TAP Insulation |
|---|---|---|---|
| R-value per inch | R-2.9 to R-3.8 | R-3.2 to R-3.7 | R-3.6 to R-3.8 |
| Pest control built in | No | No | Yes, EPA-registered |
| Settles into gaps and voids | No | Yes | Yes |
| Sound dampening | Minimal | Good | Good |
| Harbors mice and insects | Commonly | Occasionally | Resistant |
| Fire retardant | Naturally | Class 1 | Class 1 |
| Made from recycled content | Minimal | 85%+ | 85%+ |
| Pest control wears out | N/A | N/A | Never |
| Installation time (typical home) | 1 to 2 days | 4 to 6 hours | 4 to 6 hours |
We measure existing insulation depth, assess ventilation, inspect for moisture or pest damage, and calculate your R-value gap.
We seal recessed lights, attic hatches, and penetration points to prevent air leaks. Baffles are installed at soffits to maintain airflow.
TAP is blown in to the recommended depth for your target R-value. Typically 4 to 6 hours from truck pull-up to cleanup.
You receive R-value documentation, a depth marker in the attic, warranty paperwork, and tax credit information for your records.
Drastically reduces the common household pests that reach your living space from the attic and wall voids. The effect does not wear out.
Typical homes see 20 to 30 percent reductions in heating and cooling costs. The insulation pays for itself over time.
Cellulose fiber absorbs sound transmission between your attic and living areas, including rain, wind, and HVAC noise.
TAP is manufactured primarily from recycled paper content. Borate is a naturally occurring mineral, not a synthetic pesticide.
Reduces dust, pest allergens, and draft-carried pollutants entering your living space. A tighter attic means cleaner air below.
Documented insulation upgrades and pest-resistant attic treatments are attractive features at resale. We provide paperwork for listing documentation.
Most Toccoa homes were built before modern insulation standards. A TAP top-up over existing insulation delivers immediate energy and pest benefits.
Schedule in ToccoaHall County's humidity makes attic pest pressure particularly high. TAP is an ideal solution for established Gainesville homes battling attic roaches and silverfish.
Schedule in GainesvilleNew construction in Jefferson sometimes ships with minimum-code insulation only. A TAP upgrade bumps R-value and adds pest protection in one visit.
Schedule in JeffersonLake Hartwell homes and older Lavonia farmhouses both benefit. Top-up installation over existing insulation is the most common approach here.
Schedule in LavoniaMix of older homes and newer subdivisions. We commonly retrofit Commerce attics with TAP as part of a broader pest protection plan.
Schedule in CommerceOlder Cornelia homes with moisture-prone attics see significant improvement with TAP. Energy savings are immediate and pest reduction follows.
Schedule in CorneliaMountain cabins and second homes in Clayton benefit particularly from TAP's dual energy-pest performance. Cluster flies and overwintering insects are common issues we solve.
Schedule in ClaytonHelen-area cabins and short-term rentals benefit from the energy savings and set-and-forget pest control. A one-time investment that protects the property year after year.
Schedule in ClevelandEstablished Clarkesville neighborhoods with underinsulated attics are our most frequent TAP installations in the county. Substantial utility bill improvements.
Schedule in ClarkesvilleDense suburban neighborhoods with aging insulation. TAP is a common recommendation for Buford homeowners dealing with recurring attic pest issues.
Schedule in BufordFast-growing neighborhoods with newer construction. TAP upgrades bring Cumming attics from minimum code to optimum R-value while adding permanent pest protection.
Schedule in CummingEstablished Sugar Hill subdivisions with 15 to 30-year-old homes benefit the most. Top-up installations routinely cut utility bills by 25 percent or more.
Schedule in Sugar HillOur electric bill dropped about 30 dollars a month the first summer. The roach problem we had been fighting for three years just stopped. Hanco installed TAP in a single afternoon and cleaned up completely.
We had silverfish and booklice everywhere in old attic storage. After TAP, within about a month, they were gone. It is also noticeably quieter upstairs when it rains.
Our Clayton cabin always had cluster fly problems in spring. We did TAP last fall and this year we had almost none. The upstairs bedrooms are also more even in temperature now.
The Department of Energy recommends R-38 to R-60 for North Georgia. Most homes in our region fall far short. Here is how to measure what you have and plan your upgrade.
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Read ArticleTAP stands for Thermal, Acoustical, Pest Control. It is loose-fill cellulose insulation made from recycled paper and treated with EPA-registered borate. The borate treatment does not exist in standard insulation. While regular insulation only insulates, TAP insulates while also controlling pests for the lifetime of the installation.
Cost varies based on the size of the attic, existing insulation, and target R-value. Most single-family homes in our Northeast Georgia service area fall between $2,200 and $4,800 for a complete installation. We provide a clear written estimate after a free attic evaluation. Federal tax credits may offset 30 percent of the cost, up to annual limits.
No. TAP is a powerful complement to, not a replacement for, a full pest control program. It particularly reduces attic-sourced and wall-void insect issues. Exterior pest pressure, ground-level pests like fire ants, termites (which require dedicated treatment), and rodents still need your regular Hanco service.
Yes. Borate is a naturally occurring mineral with a long safety record. It is used in laundry products, contact lens solutions, and as a food preservative at low concentrations. In TAP, borate is contained within the insulation and installed in the attic, where household members do not typically access. Our installers follow full safety protocols during installation.
Yes, in most cases. If your existing insulation is dry, undamaged, and not heavily contaminated, TAP can be blown directly over it as a top-up. This is often the most cost-effective approach. If existing insulation is compromised by moisture, rodents, or damage, we recommend removal before installation.
TAP is installed once and lasts the lifetime of the home. The borate active ingredient is a mineral that does not degrade or wear out. The cellulose insulation itself settles modestly in the first year but maintains its R-value and pest control performance indefinitely.
Yes. TAP qualifies for the federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit, which covers 30 percent of insulation costs up to annual caps. Some Georgia utility providers also offer rebates for insulation upgrades. We provide the documentation needed to claim credits and rebates.
Most installations take four to six hours from start to finish for a standard single-family home. Larger homes or complex attic configurations may take a full day. Your home is fully usable immediately after installation. No re-entry restrictions apply.
TAP is highly effective against the insect species listed on its EPA label, including cockroaches. For rodents, TAP makes the attic less hospitable but is not itself a rodenticide. Rodent exclusion work (sealing entry points and ongoing bait station monitoring) should accompany TAP for complete protection. We coordinate both.
Schedule your free attic evaluation today. A Hanco technician will measure your insulation, check for pest activity, and prepare a custom TAP quote for your home.
Family-owned pest control, termite protection, and mosquito reduction serving Northeast Georgia and Metro Atlanta since 2002.
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