Can Possums Chew Through Electrical Wires?
If you’re experiencing random power cuts, can see bite marks on electrical wires, and hear noises coming from your roof, chances are you have possums chewing through your cables. We as electricians see it all the time, and it is a massive inconvenience for homeowners across Sydney.
Pesky possums have a habit of chewing through electrical cables, leading to exposed wires, short circuits, power outages, and even fires.
To rub salt in the wound, most wiring is hidden behind walls or in the roof, and this makes it difficult to spot whether a possum is active before it’s too late.
Here is our guide to recognising whether possums are chewing on your electrical cables and the steps you can take to stop rodents from getting to your electrical work.
Why Do Possums Chew Electrical Wires?
Possums are curious animals and chew on things to maintain their teeth and in search of food.
They also chew cables if they are blocking their way as they seek out holes inside your walls or roof to nest.
Is It Dangerous for a Possum to Chew Electrical Wires?
A possum, rat, or mouse nibbling through your cables can be very dangerous. They may chew a cable all the way down to the copper wire which has the potential to cause electric shocks or fires.
If you think you have possums chewing through your cables, you should get the problem sorted sooner rather than later to avoid more extensive and costly damage.
Signs a Possum Has Been Chewing Cables
As we mentioned, it can be tricky to recognise whether you have possums chewing through your cables because most of their activity occurs inside the walls of your house, or in the roof. They are also most active at night when us humans are asleep.
Here are the signs you should look out for:
- – Bite marks on cables
- – Frayed wires
- – Droppings near cables
- – Running, scratching, or banging noises coming from your roof, particularly at night
- – Seeing possums near your home
- – Flickering lights
- – Blown fuses
- – Random power outages
- – Burning smell from exposed or overheated wires
If you’re wondering whether it could be rodents like rats or mice chewing your cables, you can usually tell whether it’s a possum because they are much larger animals – about the size of a cat – and they make loud banging sounds. Rodents are smaller and tend to be quicker as they scurry through your walls and roof.
How Can I Stop Possums Chewing My Electrical Wires?
Unfortunately, once you have possums living inside your walls or roof, they can be very difficult to get rid of and you’ll need to call in professional pest removal.
Before you get to that point, here are some DIY steps you can take as a precaution:
- – Cover wires in chew-resistant cable covers so possums can’t gnaw through
- – Spray possum repellent in areas where they can get into your home, such as holes in your roof or fences
- – Fill holes in your roof and walls
- – Get possum guards for your gutters
- – Trim trees away from your gutters so possums can’t climb on your roof
- – Install motion activated lights to scare them off
If possums have already made your roof their home, you should hire a possum catcher who can remove and relocate them in a humane way. A possum catcher will also seal any entry points in your home to prevent them coming back.
As a native animal, possums are protected in Australia and only licensed possum catchers are able to remove them. You should not try to remove them yourself.
What Should I Do if My Cables Are Damaged?
If you have damaged electrical wires, or suspect that the cables inside your walls or roof have been damaged, call an electrician and we can come and check it out.
It’s better to act sooner rather than later as the longer possums are left, the more costly and extensive the damage will be.
When to Call a Professional
You should never attempt to repair, replace, or install any electrical wires yourself because exposed or damaged wiring can cause safety hazards like electric shocks or fires.
Instead, give our team at Radiance Electrical a call and we can inspect the issue. Our 24/7 emergency electricians can quickly address wiring problems across Sydney’s North Shore and Northern Beaches to keep your home safe and running effectively.
If you are having issues with your wires, contact us using the form on this page or by calling 02 9188 8537 and we can send a professional to inspect it as soon as possible.
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