Silver Polystrene Balls

Mon 24 Aug, 20:10

I have reported it to WODC given how many we keep finding and also how far they've spread - Hundley Way, The Green, the allotment and Nine Acres Close. They are going to get their Environmental Dept to have a look into. Whether they will or not is another matter, but if everyone who finds them does it, then that will help.

Thank you Richard B for being considerate of the wildlife. That is our worry too; wildlife or pets swallowing the balls.

Mon 24 Aug, 08:50

I’ve asked neighbours along Hundley Way and they have also found the same. In bird baths, drains.

Mon 24 Aug, 06:36

They're cavity wall insulation. When my parents had new windows fitted to the bungalow in nine acres close, the contractors didn't do a good job sealing under one of the frames and the insulation leaked out of that. It doesn't need to be recent work, just a fail in the cement round a door or window

Sun 23 Aug, 23:23

An idea; they may be plant tab fertiliser balls which would probably have come from aquatic plants introduced into a pond, and there’ll be a land version too.

Sun 23 Aug, 23:17

Per Joshua's comment, they look like the little gray (rather than silver) balls used in cavity wall insulation. They are typically blown in via small holes in the outer fabric and fill the cavity, sometimes escaping into one's utility cabinets via gaps or up into the loft. When ours was done many years ago the contractors were reasonably careful to avoid spillage. However, if someone is having renovations done that involve opening cavity walls, those little balls could blow anywhere and everywhere. We cleaned up as much as possible after our installation, but I always worried that wildlife might try to eat them.

Sun 23 Aug, 21:27

So far they have been found in two people’s gardens on Hundley Way, one person’s garden in Nine Acres Close and on one person’s allotment.

Anyone else?

Sun 23 Aug, 16:10

Not sure. I did wonder about insulation. A neighbour has also found some in his garden but only a few. 
I’m pretty sure they aren’t packaging material. They’re bouncy and retain their shape.

Sun 23 Aug, 15:46

Did someone have home insulation done near you recently? They are usually sprayed into cavities. Failing that it could be packaging protection. 

Sun 23 Aug, 15:39

Does anyone know what these silver polystyrene (?) balls are? They were covering my pond a couple of weeks ago. I thought it was someone throwing rubbish over the fence but they’ve turned up again!