Squirrels love to chew car wires. Here’s why (and how to make them stop)
Squirrels are becoming more active in North Carolina — and your car’s engine could become their next chew toy.
Squirrels are attracted to cars because they can provide nesting spots, and they chew wires to control the constant growth of their teeth, according to Allstate.
“Wires in cars, plus some of the plastic in your car, is nice and hard to chew on, and in many cases something like wire is easy to manipulate in their hands to put in a position to chew,” Michael Cove, research curator of mammalogy at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences, previously told The News & Observer.
And if squirrels get to your vehicle, the damage they cause could lead to unexpected repair costs — if you don’t have an insurance plan that covers it.
Squirrels chewing on car wires can cause electrical failures and disrupt brakes, airbags and other critical systems. In some cases, they can even result in car fires, posing significant safety risks, according to Anchor Pest Control.
Squirrels aren’t the only critters that can cause electrical issues. Snakes were responsible for three recent power outages in North Carolina that affected thousands of Duke Energy customers, The N&O reported. Outages The outages in Durham, Rolesville and Goldsboro were caused when snakes came into contact equipment in a substation.
Here’s how to get squirrels to stop chewing your car wires, how to keep them out of your yard and whether your insurance plan will cover damage caused by rodents.
How to get squirrels to stop chewing your car wires
The best way to teach squirrels and other rodents that your car is not a stationary object is to move it frequently, if possible.
“Leaving your car standing still anywhere for an extended period of time is begging for squirrels, Carolina Wrens, house mice, house rats to investigate and check it out. Moving it consistently helps for sure,” Cove said.
Here are some tips from Direct Auto Insurance on how to keep squirrels out:
Park in a sealed garage: Ensure the garage is enclosed and free of holes to prevent rodent entry.
Set traps: Place traps in the garage to catch any rodents that get in.
Use repellents: Natural repellents like peppermint, cloves, and cayenne pepper can help deter rodents.
Eliminate food and trash: Keep your car and surrounding area clean to avoid attracting rodents.
How to keep squirrels away from your home
You can stop squirrels from chewing your car wires by keeping them away from your home entirely. Try some of these tips from Summit Environmental Solutions to deter them:
Spray apple cider vinegar (a smell that repels squirrels) on plants and flowers.
Use motion sensor sprinklers.
Keep your yard clean by clearing away any fallen fruit or nuts squirrels like eating.
Add mulch to plants to keep squirrels from digging them up.
If you have a dog, let them play outside to scare away potential intruders.
Use live traps to catch the squirrels and relocate them.
Keep your trash bins sealed.
Build a fence around your yard.
Does car insurance cover damage caused by squirrels?
It depends on the type of coverage you have.
Comprehensive insurance covers damage to your car that is not the result of a collision with another vehicle, according to Farmers Insurance.
“That means you could be covered for damage like a rock cracking your windshield to a lightning strike that fries the electrical system,” the company says. “Even damage caused by your own pet is covered because, after all, animals will be animals.”
However, comprehensive insurance is not required by North Carolina law, according to Durham-based firm Wallace Pierce Law, meaning your policy may not cover damage caused by squirrels.
To check if you’re covered, you should contact your insurance provider to review your policy.
