We've used steel wool with good success because they can't/won't chew through it.

Bryan - welcome to bp.Ya, those cotton pickin garbage disposals, I have removed some but bought one this week $91 with tax.

Go with mineral wool. 

However, if you are using closed cell foam on the inside of your wall assembly, I would recommend using Roxul Comfortboard 80 (or an equivalent rock wool board from another vendor) rather rigid foam (XPS or polyiso) as you do not want a strong vapour retarder / barrier on both sides of the wall sheathing.The other thing to keep in mind is the ratio of "inside" to "outside" R-value.  

Scrub the brick with a wire brush or steel wool first to remove any soot that's set in.  

I live on Cotton Hill RD right off 202 on your way to Torrington. 

Tx can grow a variety of things ranging from dates,to palm trees to cotton and u name it.

Plus use a 70/30 Cotton/poly blend in a percale weave and you will have an easy time keeping them nice.

As an alternative, we may consider using mineral wool for exterior insulation.  

Especially when politicians cotton on to the exact situation you just described, with a bunch of foreign interests stashing money in the RE market?