There may be a lot of memories and things you’ve forgotten in your attic, but there are also a lot of things that could go wrong, especially if squirrels move in. It is common for squirrels to look for safety in attics. Once they get inside, they can do a lot of damage, like messing up the wiring in your attic. We will talk about the damage squirrels can do to your wires and give you ways to keep them out of it in this guide.
The Electric Catch-22
The wiring in your attic is like the nerves of your home. It brings electricity to all the lights, outlets, and machines in the house. Of course, rats that want to sharpen their teeth also love to eat it.
This is why squirrels like attic wires so much:
Material Ready to Chew: Squirrels’ teeth are always growing, so they need to chew on things to keep them in check. Because it is made of insulating materials, attic wire is perfect for this.
Warmth and Safety: Your attic is a warm and safe place for squirrels to live and raise their young. The wires inside the walls give these curious rats a place to live and something to do for fun.
The Chances of Squirrel Damage
Damage to attic wires caused by squirrels can have very bad results:
- Fire Hazard: A possible fire hazard is the most dangerous risk. When squirrels chew on lines, they expose parts that are still live. Electricity burns, sparks, and short circuits can happen because of this.
- Repairs that cost a lot of money: Fixing wires in your attic can be hard to do and cost a lot of money. Multiple lines can be chewed through by squirrels, so your home will need to be rewired to make it safe.
- Power blackouts: Wiring damage by squirrels can cause power blackouts in some parts of your home. This bothersome thing can get in the way of your daily life and put your safety at risk.
- Keep your wiring safe from squirrel damage
- For your safety and your wallet’s sake, you need to keep squirrels from damaging your attic wires. Here are some methods that work:
- Seal Entry Points: First, look through your attic for places people could get in. Most of the time, squirrels get in through cracks, holes, or vents. Use heavy-gauge hardware cloth or metal flashing to cover these holes so squirrels can’t get through them.
- Sticky traps for squirrels: Put sticky traps in and around your attic to keep squirrels away. Ultrasonic devices make loud, high-pitched noises that scare rats away without hurting them. You can also get rid of squirrels with mothballs or special squirrel repellents.
- Cut Back Trees That Hang Over: If tree branches make it easy for squirrels to get to your roof, cut them back. That way, rats will have a harder time getting on your house.
- Protecting the wires: Put the wiring inside metal conduit or PVC pipes. It’s hard for squirrels to chew through these materials, which adds another layer of security.
- Help from a Professional: If squirrels are already living in your attic, you should get help from a professional. Experts in pest control can get rid of the squirrels in a humane and safe way, and they can also look at any damage to the wires and fix it.
- Regular Checks: Make sure you check your attic often so you can catch any squirrel damage or attacks early.
To sum up, keeping squirrels from damaging your attic wires is an important part of keeping your home and family safe. These furry things might not seem dangerous, but the way they chew can cause expensive fixes and even fire risks. By taking precautions and quickly getting rid of any squirrel problems, you can keep your attic and wires safe from these troublemakers and keep your home a safe and comfortable place to live.
At Squirrel Control Lindsay we have many years of experience dealing with squirrels. We focus on safe and ethical wildlife animal extractions from residential and commercial properties with proven methods in accordance with federal and local rules and regulations