Do Flying Squirrels Chew On Electrical Cables

Do Flying Squirrels Chew On Electrical Cables?

Yes, these creatures will chew on electrical wires and other materials they find in your attic, like wood and insulation. That’s why flying squirrels qualify as a nuisance pest – they can wreak unimaginable damage!

If there are flying squirrels in your attic, you might hear some sounds similar to the sound produced when a cat rubs its claws on wood. This is usually indicative that they’re chewing electrical wires or wood in your attic.

However, before you conclude that flying squirrels are responsible, do a proper inspection because several other animals chew on electrical wires.

There are several reasons why flying squirrels chew on electrical wires. Some of them include:

For Nesting Materials

Flying squirrels in your attic need materials to build their nests. That’s why they bring in twigs, bark, leaves, grass, feathers, and so on. However, the material they bring isn’t typically enough. They then chew on insulation materials and even wires for additional materials to complete their nest.

To Trim and Sharpen Their Teeth

Just like our fingernails grow throughout our lifetime, the incisors of rodents also grow through their lives. However, they need to keep that growth in check. That is why flying squirrels continually chew on anything they can lay their teeth on – wires, wood, insulation materials, and so on.

Moreover, constantly chewing on materials help them strengthen and sharpen their teeth. That’s why their bite is sharp as a razor.

Associated Dangers

When wires are chewed by flying squirrels, it exposes homeowners to several risks. Some of which include:

Electrocution

Imagine going into your attic barefooted. Unknowingly you step on a naked wire chewed by a flying squirrel. This can result in electrocution and severe injury.

Damage of Appliances

Naked wires lying around can result in a wrong circuitry. If you’ve experienced an outage or circuit breaker pop, you might want to check for damages done by these creatures. Extensive damage to the circuitry will need extensive repair that will cost you a lot.

Fire Incident

Electrical fires can occur if chewed or exposed wiring lays on inflammable materials like insulation or dried wood. A fire incident may result in loss of property, severe injury, and even loss of life.

Conclusion

Flying squirrels can chew on electrical wires. That’s why it’s crucial to deal with these nuisance critters if they are residing in your attic or house.