Yes. Rats can gnaw wiring and damage, compress, or shred insulation when they spend time around vehicles or inside attics.
A rat's front teeth continue growing, so rodents regularly chew on available materials. It’s like filing down fingernails for them, which is why gnawing is a normal behavior. What makes this troublesome is that, once rodents get inside your home, they can gnaw through a lot of things that you don’t want them to.
Rodents can chew on wood, plastic, hoses, wiring, stored belongings, and other objects found around the home or your vehicles. In fact, cars often develop problems when left parked for a long time because rodents chewed through something needed to start the car. The mice or rats didn’t intend for that to happen when they chose the engine compartment for shelter.
This can even become dangerous. Damage to wire insulation can create electrical problems that require professional repair.
Rodents also make a mess of attics. Rats may travel through insulation, compress it, contaminate it, or pull pieces apart for nesting material. They may also gnaw electrical wiring running through the space.
If you’re concerned about rodents, look out for droppings, tracks through insulation, shredded materials, nests, scratching noises, gnaw marks, or wiring that appears damaged. If you spot any of these, reach out to a professional. Rodents are very hard to clear out on your own.
Rodent control also needs to address why rats reached the area. Around vehicles, look for nearby food sources, dense vegetation, clutter, trash, pet food, or other shelter. For attics, inspect rooflines, eaves, vents, utility penetrations, and damaged screening. Because roof rats climb well, trees or vines close to the house may provide easier access to upper parts of the structure. Any good rodent management plan needs to clear out existing rodents and then seal up gaps so they can’t get back inside.
If rats are active around or getting into your Los Angeles property, Mosquito Squad of Los Angeles can help identify rodent activity and determine an appropriate control approach. Call (818) 350-8870 or request a free quote online.
