Chewed Out Electrical Wires In The Attic. What to do Next?

There are a few creatures that make their way specifically into your attic to find shelter, especially during winter.

What kind of creatures can you expect, and what dangers are involved with them nesting away in your attic?

Common unwanted pests that you find in your attic include squirrels, house mice, deer mice, roof rats and sewer rats. depending on where you live, there may be different animals in your attic, most of which are listed in this article.

Not sure of the type of rodent that's in your home? Visit this page and learn how to identify pests based on their droppings first, and then come back here.

Apart from the other dangers of having pests and rodents in your attic, these creatures love to chew on anything and everything, for food or to build shelter.

The main risk here is electrical wiring; they can and will chew your wiring, which can cause serious problems.

why do rodents chew wires

Lets take a look at a few possible culprits, and what you NEED to do about it once you've figured out who has done it....

Was It Squirrels?

Your children may find these furry creatures to be cute and fluffy, but do not be fooled by their appearance. When a squirrel feels threatened, they tend to become aggressive and will also resort to biting anyone who is in range.

These creatures are extremely confident little beings and will most definitely not shy away from causing damage to your attic, as they have very sharp teeth which they use to gnaw through a variety of materials, including electrical wires.

This poses a dangerous risk, as it very often causes house fires if the damaged wire(s) are not detected early.


Was It House Mice ?

These creatures are the most commonly found pest in homes and attics. They breed at a very fast rate and are capable of adapting to any types of conditions. They breed all-year round, often with very large litters at once, so imagine the type of damage a hundred of these pests can cause to the structure of your attic?

House mice love to chew, and they wont hesitate in chewing through your insulation and wire, in order to feed and build a nest.

Was It Deer Mice ?

This type of mouse is mostly found in the country and prefers to make their nests in hidden areas such as hollow tree stumps. However rarely it may occur, some deer mice do decide they need a better type of shelter, and therefore attics are their home of choice as it is mainly undisturbed spaces.

If you suspect you have house or deer mice chewing on your insulation, you will want to see this page for more information.


Was It Roof Rats?

These creatures are well-known for the amount of destruction they can cause to structures including attics. All they need is space of about half an inch of to gain entry into the area they desire as their agile bodies can squeeze through it with ease. They are a real threat to wires and insulation, so getting rid of them as soon as possible is very important.

Was It Sewer Rats (Norway Rats) ?

Sewer rats are actually Norway rats (among other names) but are generally referred to as sewer rats because they prefer the habitat of such spaces, however, they also like to nest in woodpiles.

They are very good climbers, and once they decide they want to trade the sewer for your attic, they can enter through an opening which may be as small as the size as that of a quarter. Once they are in your attic they will stay there and breed at an alarming rate

If you've determined that its either breed of rats in your attic that are causing problems, we suggest you visit this page for help.


Threats and Dangers Of Having Rodents In The Attic

All of the creatures mentioned above have the ability to cause major destruction to your attic.

Apart from gnawing through electrical wires which could lead to house fires, the house mouse, deer mouse and Norway rat also poses potential health risks to you and your family.

Even minute drops of their urine or the smallest amount of droppings can cause a variety of allergies in your children. They are also general carriers of alternative infestations such as lice, mites, ticks and fleas.

Squirrels, mice, and other rodents have the ability to chew and gnaw their way through siding, general telephone wires, electrical wires and wood, to name but a few.

Above all, rats in particular are the carriers of more than thirty diseases that could be harmful to humans.

how to get rid of rats in the attic

The deer mouse in itself is a major carrier of the Hantavirus, Pulmonary Syndrome which could potentially cause the death of one of your family members if the appropriate treatment is not received, while roof rats can spread bubonic plague by means of urination on your food stuffs, which could ultimately also be fatal to humans.

Remember, they may be living in your attic, but they will still search for food supplies in your kitchen.


Remember: Prevention is Better than Cure

In all of the above cases, it is advised that you take as many precautions as possibly necessary to keep these creatures from entering your home and specifically, your attic.

Ensure that all possible entryways and holes, however small it may seem, are sealed off properly. Once they gain entry, there is no way for you to know what kind of destruction they may already have caused.

If you suspect that you have a few of these visitors in your attic, it is advised that you call on the services of a professional who can capture and dispose of such creatures in an appropriate manner, and also sanitize your attic once the job has been done.

Choosing to the 'do it yourself' method of removal is definitely possible, but make sure you have properly identified the pest which you are dealing with beforehand.

If its an uncommon animal such as a bat, we recommend going straight to the professionals.

Visit the Attic Pest Authority for more information on dealing with pest and rodent infestations in your home. Go here : atticpestauthority.com/mice-in-attic