Yes — squirrels chewing electrical cables in the loft is one of the more serious, and more commonly underestimated, risks of a roof space infestation. Squirrel teeth grow continuously throughout their lives, so gnawing is a constant behaviour, and cabling in a loft is unfortunately an easy and available target.
Why squirrels chew wiring
Squirrels gnaw to keep their incisors worn down and to explore and shape their environment, not because they're specifically drawn to electrical cabling — but the plastic sheathing on cables running through a roof space is easy for them to bite into, and once they start, they'll often keep working at the same spot. This can happen alongside chewing of roof timbers, joists and any wooden structures within reach.
The risks this creates
- Exposed or damaged wiring, which is a recognised fire risk in a roof space
- Loss of power or intermittent electrical faults that are hard to trace
- Damage to alarm systems, satellite or aerial cabling, and telephone lines run through the loft
- Increased risk where damaged cabling sits close to dry insulation or timber
Signs that wiring may already be affected
If you've noticed flickering lights, circuits tripping without an obvious cause, or intermittent faults with anything wired through the loft space, and you've also heard gnawing or scampering noises in the roof, it's worth treating the two as connected rather than coincidental. This is a common pattern we come across in Twyford properties with an active or recent squirrel problem.
Why this makes fast action important
Unlike insulation damage, which is a cost and comfort issue, cable damage in the loft is a genuine safety concern. The longer squirrels are left active in a roof space, the more opportunity there is for chewing to reach wiring that's carrying live current, which is one of the reasons we recommend not delaying once squirrel activity is confirmed rather than waiting to see if it resolves on its own.
If you suspect squirrels are active in your loft and you're also experiencing any unexplained electrical issues, it's worth getting both looked at together. Contact Pest Services Berkshire for a full assessment of squirrel activity in your Twyford property, and get proper advice on next steps for both the animals and any resulting damage.
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