One of the most important parts of owning a home is setting aside time and resources for maintenance. The home deteriorates over time; that’s why it’s essential to have annual maintenance to avoid drastic deterioration. Unfortunately, rodents are already thriving and multiplying in your homes when it comes to home maintenance. Rodents are one of the most destructive pests that can invade your home. They chew on anything in your home, especially your electrical wires. Rodents love to chew wires because they are soft. The rubber coating helps their teeth chisel down and get sharper. Damaged wire can be a risk for short circuits that can cause your home destruction.
Why do Rodents Typically Chew Wires?
Rodents, including your standard mouse, rat, and squirrel, can be any wire chewing scenario culprits. They chew on wires because they can easily hide where your electrical wires run through. They have access to it so that they will chew on wood, rubber, plastic, aluminum, and cement. Aside from that, chewing on wire keeps their teeth from overgrowing. It helps grind down their teeth, and with their small hands, it is easier for them to grab onto the wires and have more control while eating. As a result, they can eat not just the wires in your home but even the wires in your automobile wiring system and engine compartments.
How Do I Check My Wires?
It is important to check your wires from time to time to avoid the worst-case scenario. You can call a professional to ensure your wirings are safe from the rodents. However, you can also check by yourself, especially if you have access to the wires.Here are some things that you can do at home to check your wires:Squeaking or scurrying – hearing these noises clearly indicates that you have rodents in your attic or walls.Chewing or rustling – hearing a chewing or rustling sound on your walls clearly indicates rodents in your walls.Chewed places – if you notice chewed-up wood, paper, or other materials in your attic or crawl spaces, you likely have rodents.Grease spots – rodents will have greasy feet as they shuffle through old trash and food. These greasy feet will leave dark spots or markings on your walls and flooring.Sighting – spotting a rodent in or outside your home clearly indicates that an infestation has likely occurred.
How Can I Prevent This?
The best way to ensure that rodents won’t invade your home is by taking away their food, water, and access to shelter. Rodents are intelligent creatures. They will find ways to make sure that they get access to these needs. That’s why ensure you inspect your home and seal up any access points or entryways that rodents might be able to use. You can trim your trees away from the house and keep the rodents from gaining access to your roof or ledges. Be sure to keep up with pest control and monitor your attics, crawlspaces, and exterior walls to prevent them from invading and multiplying in your home. Seal holes inside and outside the home to keep rodents out. This may be as simple as plugging small holes with steel wool, or patching holes in inside or outside walls. Remove potential rodent nesting sites from your property, including leaf piles and deep mulch. Clean up food and water sources in and near your house. If the rodents have already been chewing on your wires or anything in your homes, seek professional help to get rid of them before it’s too late. The cost to keep rodents away is fairly low, considering the repair cost for any damage they could cause. Always remember that the best maintenance is preventative maintenance.If you have rodent problems, just message us today at The Inspection Boys.
