Only dry bales are used for construction. Once assembled with moisture barriers at top and bottom, bales are rendered with a range of products which allow the wall to breath. Testing for humidity in buildings in the high rainfall areas of Canada proves that walls stay as dry as when they were built. Strawbale walls do not have cavities so unlike conventional walls they cannot house rodents. Also there is no food value in straw.
White ants prefer wood.
Much testing of strawbale construction has been carried out overseas and has started in Australia. Building permits can be obtained from Building Surveyors keen to encourage new ideas. Price depends on size, complexity, fittings, finishes and your inputs.