Rodents Chew Wires: Stop them!

Rodents chew wires and it’s more prevalent than you think.  Having a frayed wire in your home or business is actually a very common occurrence.  The reason is that rodents chew just about everything.  In fact, if they don’t chew their teeth grow uncontrollably.

A second reason rodents chew wires is to get from place to place within the walls of a home or commercial building.  If you were a rodent where would you survive best, wouldn’t the warm walls of a home or engine compartment seem inviting?

So, how do you stop rodents from chewing wires.  It’s difficult, but the following may help.

Rodents chewed on wire
Mice chew on wires and when they do it can short an electrical system

When rodents chew wires it will likely be in the most inaccessible areas of  your home, business or car.   The symptoms are not likely to be readily apparent until something shorts out or the electrical system is damaged.   Also, exposing the inside of live electrical wires is not a good thing as it’s possible that it can become a fire hazard.

The key to preventing rodents from damaging your electrical system is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Here are some keys to mouse control.

Seal the outside

The first line of defense in rodent control is to prevent their access.  It goes without saying that doors shouldn’t be left open day and night.  However, there are a few more things that need to be done.

  1. Check the garage weatherstripping
  2. Seal penetrations leading into the basement from utilities
  3. Block gaps where your sill plate doesn’t sit flush on a foundation
  4. Seal the bottom of basement doors leading to outside

Traps

Once rodents are in you need to catch them.  To many homeowners try to get fancy and use only rodent poison, electromagnetic repellers and old wives tail tricks.  The fact is though that the old mouse or rat snap trap still works just fine.  For those homeowners that do use traps they typically use to few. The average home should take anywhere between 15-20 traps set throughout the attic, basement and garage.

Poisons  

Rodent poisons do have their place, but to rely solely on them is a mistake.  Combine poisons with traps throughout the areas of the home that are inaccessible to children and pets.

The last thing to do to insure rodents don’t chew wires is to be consistent.  The traps need to be checked, moved and cleaned regularly in order for good control. If you can’t devote some time to this then you’re going to need a professional.

If you suspect that rodents are chewing wires in your home and need help call Envirocare Pest Control, LLC at 1-888-879-6481.

You’ve taken care of the mice now what about those pesky spiders.