instead of putting bales of straw around my house would the 4x8x2" dow work or what would you recomend

It sounds like you want to insulate the exterior of your foundation walls. We would recommend STYROFOAM™ Brand Extruded Polystyrene Foam Insulation. When you choose STYROFOAM™ Brand Extruded Polystyrene Foam Insulation products, you will discover exceptional performance characteristics such as closed-cell structure, ease of installation, specialized facings for durability, excellent R-value, and moisture resistance. R-Value - A measurement of resistance to heat flow. The greater the R-value, the greater the thermal efficiency. A small increase in R-value makes a big difference. Rigid insulation covers the entire wall, providing a continuous layer of thermal protection and increasing the overall R-value and energy efficiency. Moisture Resistance - Some insulation absorbs moisture, which reduces the R-value and may lead to mold and mildew problems. Insist on the closed-cell structure of STYROFOAM™ Brand Extruded Polystyrene Foam Insulation that will resist moisture absorption and help retain a long-term R-value. STYROFOAM™ Brand Extruded Polystyrene Foam Insulation must be covered to protect it from sunlight (UV or ultraviolet light). It should be covered within 90 days of its installation. Sunlight will very slowly begin to degrade the insulation, changing the surface from a rigid blue plastic to a yellow powder. This does not change the properties of the insulation below the surface, but it can result in a loss of insulation thickness over very long periods of time (years). A cementitious brush-on coating is one method that can be used to protect STYROFOAM Brand Extruded Polystyrene Foam Insulation installed on a residential foundation. The following company provides brush-on, trowel-on and pre-coated options: Styro Industries Inc. www.styro.net Also, vinyl or aluminum coil stock can also be used as a covering. This is typically fastened to the foundation wall.