Electric cables chewed through by squirrels are a common cause of house fires and causing thousands of pounds in damage

Electric cables chewed through by squirrels are a common cause of house fires and causing thousands of pounds in damage

Electric cables chewed through by squirrels are a common cause of house fires and causing thousands of pounds in damage.

This is according to a Surrey pest control company that says it is gearing up for its annual "surge" in calls to deal with squirrel problems as March sees the furry creatures starting nests in lofts across the country.

Cleankill Pest Control said that rather than being "cute and cuddly," squirrels nesting in lofts cause more problems than rats. It cited a case last year in which a 400,000 bungalow in Hertfordshire was destroyed after squirrels chewed through wires, as reported by theDaily Mail.

Paul Bates, managing director of Cleankill, said: "People think that squirrels are cute and cuddly but they actually cause more problems than rats. Squirrels are very determined creatures and once they enter your loft it is very difficult to get them out and keep them out. Rats, on the other hand, tend to enter lofts by accident and don't normally try to find their way in again."

The rodents have also been blamed for weakening roof joists after persistent gnawing.

"Like rats, squirrels have ever-growing incisor teeth and the best place for them to gnaw when they are in your loft is the roof timbers. It is quite common for a pest controller to climb into a loft to find the joists he is treading on are bouncing ominously because squirrels have chewed a hole in them," the company said.

Thoroughly blocking up any likely holes and gaps will help prevent squirrels from entering the building, it advised.

Nick Bami of Facilities Consultancy advises to get all cables checked and appliances tested as part of your recommendations from your fire risk assessment

www.facilitiesconsultancy.co.uk

www.london-fireriskassessment.co.uk

www.facilitiesconsultancy.co.uk/fire-safety

Ignoring electrical safety in your fire risk assessment is a fatal mistake. Most house fires are started by faulty electrics in the building.

Put PAT testing as part of your regime as well as checking your electric wiring visually in places where you can.

In business premises it is mandatory that fixed wiring is checked and tested every 5 years, but there is no such requirements in the domestic dwellings, hence extra care should be taken.

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