Skip to content
Home » Blog » Can an infestation of rats or mice start a fire?

Can an infestation of rats or mice start a fire?

  • by
Can an infestation of rats or mice start a fire

It’s a well-known fact that rats and mice can be pesky creatures. They’re always on the move, looking for food and nesting grounds, and they can often be found near humans.

Mice and rats can be a real nuisance, not to mention a health hazard. These rodents can cause extensive damage to your home, contaminate your food, and spread disease.

In addition, they can also start a fire by chewing through electrical wires!

Rodents may cause a lot of damage, therefore insurance companies, adjusters, and other real estate experts need to be aware of this.

By gnawing on electrical lines, rats and mice ignite fires, inflicting millions of dollars in property damage each year.

Can an infestation of rats or mice start a fireWhat happens if a mouse or a rat chews through a wire?

If a mouse or rat chews through a wire, it can cause a fire. Electrical wires are a prime target for rodents, as they are soft and easy to chew through.

Also, if a rat or mouse that bites down hard enough on an electrical wire may be electrocuted to death.

When this happens, you may detect a foul odor coming from your walls, which is caused by a decaying mouse carcass. Rat and mouse droppings also have a distinct odor.

How often do mice start fires?

Rodents are thought to be responsible for up to 20% of all undetermined fires in the United States each year.

Because mice and rats’ teeth are continually growing, they chew constantly. Their incisor teeth butt up against one another.

Soft concrete, aluminum, wallboards, and plastic pipes will all be chewed apart by them. During the winter, field mice hibernate and like to be near the warmth of electrical components.

To prevent rats and mice from causing a fire by chewing on wires, it is important to protect your home from these rodents.

How do you know if a mouse or a rat has chewed through wires?

Mice and rats are known for their propensity to chew on things, and this includes electrical wires.

If you suspect that a mouse or rat has chewed through your wires, there are a few things you can look for:

  • Flickering Lights:

One of the most common indicators of a loose connection or poor wiring is flickering lights.

Rodents are probably causing your wiring troubles if your lights flicker frequently and everything else in your electrical system is working properly.

  • Singed Outlets:

Your system may experience an electrical “arc” as wires age and wear down, and connections loosen.

A quick transfer of energy from your cables to the nearest electrical receptacle causes arcing.

  • Burning Odors:

Burning smells from your electrical system that aren’t explained are never a good thing.

Whether you smell burning plastic in your home, it’s a good idea to call an electrician to see if there’s an issue with your electrical equipment.

If there doesn’t appear to be a problem with any of the equipment, the burning could be the result of a rat or mouse nibbling on your wires.

  • Odors of Suspicious Source:

The burning stench isn’t the only odor to be aware of in the vicinity of your electrical system.

If you notice a strong, ammonia-like odor in your home and/or small black pellets, contact a pest control company immediately.

What you’re smelling and seeing are almost probably rat or mouse droppings.

  • Scratching Noises:

Scratching noises coming from the walls or attic are another common sign of a rodent infestation. Mice and rats are primarily nocturnal, so you’ll hear these scurrying sounds at night.

It is important to act immediately if you detect any of the signs. Call an exterminator, and also an electrician as soon as possible.

Rodent Exterminator has the best professionals and specialized services in rodent control.

We will prevent the infestation from getting worse and we will remove all rats or mice from your house. Contact us 213-431-0890

How do you stop mice and rats from chewing on wires?

There are a few things you can do to stop mice and rats from chewing on wires:

  • Remove all potential entry points.

Rodents won’t be able to create a nest inside the house if they can’t get in.

Remember that these pests can fit through small openings measuring at least a quarter-inch in diameter, so look for them.

Steel wool or other materials that are difficult for them to gnaw through can be used to seal these access sites.

  • Remove their food sources.

Mice and rats, like other rodents, eat anything they can get their hands on, including grains, nuts, meat scraps, pet food, and other items.

To avoid attracting rodents, seal all food in airtight containers or store it in the refrigerator. Remove any leftover food from the sink and dining table that these rodents might grab.

  • Use traps.

Once there are evident indicators of mice in the house, such as droppings, urine, and scratching noises, it’s time to catch them with traps.

Dealing with the infestation on your own won’t solve it right away, but it will reduce the population until the exterminators arrive.

  • Elimination

It is time to hire rodent extermination services to end the infestation of rats and mice in your home.

They have the experience, knowledge, methods, and equipment necessary to get rid of these unwanted animals as quickly and safely as possible.

  • Wrap the Cables with Anti-Rodent Tapes

To protect their wires from nibbling mice, homeowners use anti-rodent electrical insulation tapes.

When mice try to chew the wires, they get a fiery sensation from this specific form of electrical tape, which is impregnated with capsaicin.

However, it’s vital to bear in mind that this material isn’t a long-term solution for keeping mice from chewing cables; proper extermination or rodent control should still be used.

  • Call an Electrician to Inspect the Wiring

Calling an electrician to check the wiring around the house is the best approach to see if it is still functional.

Even if you didn’t have any electrical difficulties, chewed wires are certain to appear after rodent extermination in the house.

In conclusion, if you find a mouse or rat in your house, it’s important to get rid of them as soon as possible. Rodents have been known to chew through wires and insulation which can lead to an electrical fire.

Mice and rats are also known for spreading disease so if they start coming around your home, it is best to call pest control professionals immediately!

Rodent Exterminator has extermination, cleanup, replacement, and decontamination services throughout Los Angeles! Call us 213-431-0890

Call Now ButtonCALL NOW!