Removing food sources, trapping, poison, removing branches from trees touching the roof, sealing holes and getting a cat are all good ways to stop mice from chewing wires. This post will give you some ideas on how you can protect your home’s wiring from mice through an electrician’s perspective.
Mice chewing wires can lead to fires, appliance malfunction, electric shock hazard – not to mention make you sick. Reducing rodents around the home is not only important for your homes electrical system, but your families health in general.
Stop Mice Chewing Wires – Solution #1
Remove Food Sources Outside The Home
Mice will be attracted to come into a home if food, warmth and shelter is available. The first thing that should be done to reduce mice chewing wires is to remove any food sources lingering outside the house. This could be garbage easily accessed by rats or even pet food in a container outside the home. Removing food sources around the house will make it less inviting for mice and rats.
Stop Mice Chewing Wires – Solution #2
Remove Branches Of Trees Touching The Roof
In our experience, mice and rats can get into the ceiling of a house via tree branches touching the roof.
If a branch is touching the roof, a mouse or rat can use it to access the roof and then climb under the roofing tiles or iron and into the ceiling.
A simple solution is to remove any branches that are touching the roof so that this can’t happen.
Stop Mice Chewing Wires – Solution #3
Seal Holes Or Gaps In Floor And Wall
Any gaps or holes in the floor or wall can provide easy access for mice and rats.
Finding and sealing these will prevent rodents from being able to get in and chew wires.
Stop Mice Chewing Wires – Solution #4
Trap
If you have mice or rats in your ceiling laying traps is a good step to getting rid of them. Rodents are known to prefer peanut butter and this works as a good bait for the trap.
Stop Mice Chewing Wires – Solution #5
Poison
If you have a lot of rodents in the ceiling then poison might be an option. Poison is an effective way of controlling rodents if you feel like you have a lot of them and a trap won’t be enough to control them. Avoid using poison if it could be accidentally consumed by pets or children.
Stop Mice Chewing Wires – Solution #6
Get A Cat
Cats have been an effective way for humans to control mice and rats for thousands of years. Getting rid of mice chewing wires could be as simple as getting a cat. Just don’t get a lazy cat.
Electricians Perspective
In my experience, rodents will commonly chew wires if they have easy access to a place that is warm, has food and shelter. Removing these things by sealing gaps in the house, cutting branches touching the house, trapping and removing food sources will go a long way to fixing the problem.
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