Squirrels and power outages are more connected than many Scarborough homeowners realize. These seemingly innocent creatures, frequently spotted darting across yards and scaling trees near the iconic Scarborough Bluffs, have a surprising knack for causing electrical disruptions throughout our community. At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control, we’ve seen firsthand how these furry rodents can wreak havoc on electrical systems, leaving homes in darkness and businesses without power—often at the most inconvenient times.

The relationship between squirrels and our power infrastructure is complex and problematic. With their need to gnaw, natural curiosity, and remarkable climbing abilities, these animals have become one of the most common culprits behind unexpected power failures. Understanding this unique wildlife challenge is the first step toward preventing the inconvenience and potential dangers these situations create.

How Squirrels Cause Power Outages

Squirrels are naturally drawn to power lines and electrical equipment for several key reasons:

• Their need to travel along elevated pathways makes power lines perfect highways above predators  
• Their instinct to gnaw on hard materials (to maintain their continuously growing teeth) leads them to chew protective coverings on wires  
• Their curiosity drives them to explore electrical boxes, transformers, and substations

The outcome of these behaviours can be devastating both for the squirrels and our electrical systems. When a squirrel creates a connection between energized equipment and grounded surfaces, it completes an electrical circuit through its body. This results in:

1. Immediate equipment damage: Transformers and fuses can blow from the sudden surge.  
2. Widespread outages: A single squirrel can disrupt service to hundreds or thousands of customers.  
3. Potential fire hazards: Damaged equipment may spark nearby vegetation.  
4. Costly repairs: Utility companies spend millions annually addressing squirrel-related damages.

Damage risk areas: The most vulnerable parts include service connections, meter boxes, external conduits, and where wires enter your structure. Squirrels can also cause damage by chewing through wiring in attics, creating hidden fire hazards.

The Science Behind Squirrel Electrical Damage

What makes squirrels particularly problematic is the combination of their physical attributes and behaviours.

Their Perfect Storm of Problematic Traits

Squirrels possess a distinct set of characteristics that make them especially dangerous around electricity:

• Conductive bodies: Their water-filled bodies conduct electricity efficiently.  
• Size advantage: They’re large enough to bridge gaps between electrical components.  
• Climbing expertise: Few places are inaccessible to their agile bodies.  
• Persistent gnawing: Their teeth can penetrate protective coverings on cables.

When a squirrel bridges the gap between an energized power line and a grounded component, it becomes part of the circuit. This often results in electrocution for the animal and equipment failure for the power system.

Preventing Squirrel Electrical Issues

Protecting your home’s electrical system from squirrels requires a multifaceted approach. At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control, we’ve developed comprehensive strategies to address these concerns before they become emergencies.

Effective Prevention Techniques

Here are proven methods to reduce your risk of squirrel-related electrical problems:

1. Create physical barriers: Install properly sized metal guards and barriers around vulnerable points where wires enter your home.  
2. Manage landscaping: Keep trees trimmed at least 10 feet away from your roofline and power connections to eliminate “squirrel highways.”  
3. Schedule seasonal inspections: Have your home’s exterior electrical components professionally checked before peak squirrel activity seasons.  
4. Address existing entry points: Seal any openings near electrical service entrances with durable materials that squirrels can’t easily chew through.

Professional approach: While some prevention steps can be handled by homeowners, professional wildlife technicians have specialized knowledge to identify less obvious vulnerabilities. Our technicians complete a thorough 35-50 point inspection to identify every potential entry point, from foundation to roof.

The Economic Impact of Squirrel-Caused Power Disruptions

Squirrels damaging electricity infrastructure isn’t just an inconvenience—it has significant economic consequences for both individual homeowners and the broader community.

The True Cost of Squirrel Interference

For homeowners and businesses, squirrel-related electrical damage creates expenses in several forms:

Direct costs:  

• Repair or replacement of damaged electrical components.  
• Food spoilage during extended outages.  
• Potential damage from power surges to sensitive electronics.  
• Lost business revenue during downtimes.

Indirect costs:  

• Increased utility maintenance expenses passed on to consumers.  
• Potential insurance premium increases after claims.  
• Lost productivity during outages.  
• Expenses related to temporary power solutions.

In Scarborough specifically, we’ve seen businesses near popular squirrel habitats face repeated disruptions, especially in areas close to ravines and greenspaces where squirrel populations thrive.

Why Professional Intervention Matters

While preventing squirrel electrical issues might seem straightforward, professional wildlife management offers significant advantages over DIY approaches.

The Benefits of Expert Squirrel Management

At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control, our approach to preventing squirrel electrical issues is:

• Comprehensive: We identify all potential entry points, not just the obvious ones.  
• Humane: Our methods ensure squirrels are safely and ethically removed without harm.  
• Sustainable: We address both immediate concerns and long-term prevention.  
• Expert-driven: Our technicians understand both wildlife behaviour and home construction.

Our process involves:  

• Thoroughly identifying all entry points through professional inspection.  
• Humanely removing adult squirrels and carefully handling any babies present.  
• Using baby reunion techniques to ensure mothers relocate their young.  
• Properly sealing and protecting vulnerable areas with quality materials.  
• Deodorizing entry points to discourage future squirrel interest.

Squirrel-Proofing Your Home’s Electrical System

Beyond addressing immediate concerns, proactive measures can significantly reduce your vulnerability to squirrel-related electrical problems.

Long-Term Solutions for Electrical Protection

Physical modifications:  

• Upgrade to squirrel-resistant conduit for external wiring.  
• Install properly sized mesh guards on vents and openings near electrical service points.  
• Consider animal-specific deterrents for areas surrounding meter boxes and service entrances.

Detection systems:  

• Install motion-activated lighting near electrical access points.

By incorporating these strategies and prioritizing squirrel-proofing, homeowners can avoid costly repairs and disruptions. If you’re facing ongoing squirrel issues or want to protect your home against potential problems, turn to Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control. Our expert team is ready to help you safeguard your home effectively. Contact us today to schedule an inspection and secure your property against squirrel-induced power failures.