Do Squirrels Chew Wires? The Truth Every Homeowner Should Know

 

When it comes to house fires, “electrical distribution and lighting equipment” is the leading cause of direct property damage, accounting for 16% of deaths and 9% of all house fires overall (Source: NFPA). Rodents spark thousands of these electrical-related house fires, and more often than not, the murine culprits of these tragedies are not mice, but rather squirrels. 

If you have squirrels living in your attic or around your home, you could be putting you and your family at risk for a house fire—here’s how:

 

Do squirrels chew wires?

Q: Do squirrels chew wires?

A: Yes, squirrels can inflict hazardous damage on your property by chewing wires.

Squirrels have giant front incisors (sharp teeth) that are constantly growing longer and need filing to keep them from growing too long, which is why squirrels are prone to chewing on anything and everything, including wires. One of the most common causes of house fires is squirrels chewing through wiring within the house.

If a squirrel builds a nest in your attic, it will be spending a lot of time up there, which means a lot of time chewing and destroying wires, rafters, plastic, and air ducts! Sometimes, squirrels will even chew on live wires, often, and sadly, resulting in their electrocution and instant death. 

 

Other ways squirrels can cause household hazards:

Near Overheating Appliances

Squirrels typically build nests in dark, warm environments, away from predators. If you have squirrels living in your attic, you might find a squirrel nest nestled somewhere warm, like inside a vent or next to an electrical appliance. They often pack their nests tightly to preserve warmth. If this happens inside an electrical appliance, it can indicate overheating and may lead to a fire. 

Outdoor Electrical Structures

Even if you don’t have squirrels inside your home, they can still cause damage:

• In one instance, a squirrel ran along a power line and came into contact with the pole, creating an electrical arc. 
• This reaction caused the power line to detach from the pole and drop onto the telephone pole. From there, the current reached the water heater inside the house and started a fire. 

Although this scenario is extremely unlikely, it does add to the statistics of house fires caused by squirrels. 

Another way squirrels can cause damage is by building a nest inside a live transformer. This type of destruction can leave an entire neighborhood without power. 

 

How can I know I have a squirrel problem? 

Learn how to identify a squirrel problem in your house/property with the information in this post from our pest blog: Signs of Squirrels in Walls and What to Do About It.

 

Who can I call about squirrels in Birmingham, AL?

If you see signs of a squirrel problem on your property, don’t hesitate to call Vulcan Termite & Pest Control—we’ll keep your home squirrel-free!

Our team has provided custom-tailored small rodent control for the Birmingham area and surrounding communities for over 40 years. Please contact us today to schedule a service appointment!