Do Mice Chew on Electrical Wires?

What do human infants and the mice in your attic have in common? It turns out, there are some striking similarities when it comes to their teething practices. Although babies may be a lot cuter than rodents, they are similar in the way they engage in chewing behaviors to alleviate the discomfort of growing teeth. If your electrical wires are suffering from rodent chewing, it's time to look for mice removal Milwaukee residents can count on.

Chewing Behavior in Mice

Though the behaviors may seem similar, the reasons why mice and human infants like to chomp on things differ. While babies chew on teether toys to reduce pain in their gums as new teeth come in, mice like to gnaw on hard materials like plastic or rubber wire casing to control continuous tooth growth and increase sharpness. Often, mice chew on things for nutritional value, but that is not what leads them to your home's electrical system. Rather, nibbling through the tough outer coating can help a mouse slow down the rapid development of its ever-growing teeth. As much of a nuisance as these intruders may be, their vandalism is nothing personal. If mice did not chew on things for this purpose, their teeth would grow into their brains. In other words, just think of the unprotected cabling in your attic as the ultimate mouse teething device.

Potential Costs

While the perpetrator in these household occurrences might be small, the destruction can be substantial. Damaged wires can lead to numerous problems, including power outages, faulty security system alarms and other electrical failures. In a worst-case scenario, destroyed wires can present a fire hazard. When mice expose copper wiring, the hot metal can ignite if it touches a flammable surface like paper or wood. Though your resident rodents may not be the first threat that comes to mind when you think about fire danger, research estimates that mice and rats are responsible for approximately one-fifth of all undetermined house fires in the United States annually. Who knew a mouse could be so menacing?

Preventing Further Damage

Fortunately, there are effective ways for preventing mice from ruining your wires. Plastic, steel or concrete can be used as an outer shield. As the most prevalent choice among homeowners, plastic piping offers a flexible option for guarding against unwanted guests. However, you need to ensure there are no cracks in it. If there are, it will be an open invitation for nearby scavengers. With steel covers, you can choose to bury them underground if you need to. For electrical wires that run long, this can be especially useful. If you want to make sure there is no chance animals can bite through to your wiring, concrete can provide the most durable protection.

Calling in Professionals

Depending on the extent of the destruction, you may need the help of an electrician to repair the wiring. Remember, the electricity in your home is no joke. Never touch exposed wires or try to repair connections yourself. When rodents start disrupting the power, paying attention is critical to your safety. When you notice signs of chewing on electrical work, moving quickly to address the issue can prevent additional damage down the road. The problem is, many people do not realize how bad a mouse infestation is until it is too late. For this reason, you should contact a reputable mice removal company like Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control to clear out your home invasion and advise you on how to proceed. Because all rodents carry the risk of disease, it is always a good idea to seek out professional assistance, regardless of how small the job might seem. Give our mice removal Milwaukee team a call to protect your living space today!