Comparison of the Effects of Brown Rats and House Mice on Soundproofing and Insulation Materials and Electrical Cables

Introduction. The problem of biodegradability and biodamage of building materials by rodents is a global economic problem and includes a large number of scientific and practical tasks related to ensuring the protection of raw materials, materials and other products from damage by rodents both during storage and during production, as well as during transportation and operation.

Materials and methods. Comparative studies were conducted on the impact of brown rats (Rattus norvegicus Berk., 1769) and house mice (Mus musculus L., 1758) on soundproofing and insulation materials and electrical cables in conditions of single and group housing.

Results. Differences in the effects of brown rats and house mice on insulating and soundproofing materials and electrical cables were identified. These differences lie in the way the rodents interact with these materials. House mice showed greater interest in insulating and soundproofing materials, primarily using them as nesting material, while brown rats preferred electrical cables.

Discussion. Differences in the effects of brown rats and house mice on soundproofing and insulation materials and electrical cables were identified. The study revealed significant behavioral differences between house mice and brown rats. Rats used insulation and soundproofing materials as bedding, while mice used them as nesting material. Rats caused more extensive and active damage to electrical cables than mice.

Limitations of the study. The research is aimed at a comparative analysis of the impact of rodents on insulating and soundproofing materials and electrical cables and is of interest to specialists in the field of disinfection, rodent control and other areas in which there is direct contact with rodents.

Conclusion. The search for and study of new materials that can withstand the damaging effects of rodents is an important area for ensuring the durability and safety of construction, industrial, and agricultural facilities in the face of increasing rodent pressure.

Ethics approval. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Disinfectology Institute of the Federal Scientific Center of Hygiene named after F.F. Erisman (protocol No. 2¹, 06.05.2025), conducted in accordance with the European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals used for Experimental and other Scientific Purposes (ETS N 123), the Directive of the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union.

Contribution:
Gevorkyan I.S. — data processing, writing the text, concept and design of the study, editing, editing;
Kozlov A.A. — collection of materials;
Kurashova D.I. — collection of materials;
Sitnikova A.I. — collection of materials.
All co-authors — approval of the final version of the article, responsibility for the integrity of all parts of the article.

Funding source. This study was not supported by any external sources of funding.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no apparent or potential conflicts of interest related to the publication of this article.

Received: 19.05.2025 / Accepted: 06.07.2025 / Published: 10.08.2026

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