{"id":1459,"date":"2024-04-13T13:20:17","date_gmt":"2024-04-13T13:20:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dunninspectionservices.com\/?p=1459"},"modified":"2024-04-13T13:20:17","modified_gmt":"2024-04-13T13:20:17","slug":"can-squirrels-damage-your-electrical-system","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dunninspectionservices.com\/index.php\/2024\/04\/13\/can-squirrels-damage-your-electrical-system\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Squirrels Damage Your Electrical System?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Spring is in the air, which means \u201cbusy season\u201d for many critters. Birds are nesting, squirrels are foraging, gophers are burrowing \u2013 which can all be bad news for your home\u2019s electrical equipment!<\/em>  <\/em>  <\/em> <\/h5>\n\n\n\n
What Types of Animals Can Damage Your Home\u2019s Electrical System?<\/strong> <\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Rural and urban communities alike coexist with many types of wild animals, creating situations where they may interfere with the complex electrical system of your home and your electrical utility\u2019s power equipment running to it. Here are a few common culprits: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Squirrels<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Squirrels are chewers \u2013 their teeth never stop growing so they must continuously whittle them down. Combined with their exquisite climbing and balancing abilities, power lines (ground wires, main lines, transformer box wiring, etc.) often fall victim to their gnawing.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Mice & Rats<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rodents such as mice and rats are unwelcome pests when it comes to your home, and especially within your electrical system. Just like squirrels, mice and rats have ever-growing teeth that cause their chewing behavior. Unlike squirrels, these rodents are more likely to interfere with the electrical equipment inside<\/em> your home rather than outside.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rodents can cause wiring damage hidden in your walls, under attic insulation, and within your subpanel where they often nest. They can also chew on electrical cords attached to appliances and electronics in your home which can cause short circuits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gophers<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While less common, gophers can wreak havoc on underground electrical equipment. While digging tunnels under your property, they can destroy electrical equipment, gnaw on wiring, and even fill underground transformer boxes with dirt! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Birds<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another less common culprit is birds. While seeking the perfect spot for a nest, birds can find their way into meter boxes, under your roof, and in your attic. They may pull out and damage electrical wiring in the process and nesting materials are usually very flammable, making a recipe for disaster. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Dangerous is Wildlife Damage to Electrical Equipment?<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The damage caused by chewing, nesting, and burrowing animals can be quite dangerous, resulting in: <\/p>\n\n\n\n