What was that noise?

Most residential homes built here in San Antonio and South Texas will have some type of an "attic space".

The attics in South Texas may not be terribly large in most homes, but they are the perfect space of a any dwelling to house the electrical wiring for the residence.

Electrical wiring is typically located in an attic area; to provide an accessible space to run wires in and throughout the residence, allowing for the most convenient and efficient way to connect any and all electrical fixtures; while remaining hidden from view.

The electrical wiring is usually attached along the joists and/ or rafters of the attic space, keeping them secured and out of the way, to avoid any dangers of damaging these wires should they be stepped on, pulled on…etc. , which would require electrical repair ASAP.

But what about the hidden dangers we can’t see right away? What about those nearly silent intruders looking for a place to nest?

Here in San Antonio and South Texas, spring comes fairly early. Temperatures start climbing in March, and the local wildlife begins their life cycles about the same time. They may be cute, but they can be downright pests when it comes to nesting in attics, walls and in some cases under the flooring of a home.

The majority of these animals have teeth that never stop growing, and as a result, these critters have to gnaw on something to wear those teeth down. That’s right, they chew on pretty much anything they can. They'll chew wood and electrical wiring in the attic and walls of a home, all the while causing damages we aren't aware of. 

Often, they will chew electrical wires completely down to the metal, which can then cause electrical issues, or lead to a fire, so do not hesitate to take action if you know there are critters about!

Mice, Rats, Raccoons, Squirrels, and Possums are a just some of the culprits to look out for. They can be very difficult to remove without some type of Pest Control Assistance. Let's assess ...

Some signs you may have rodents nesting in your home:

·        Scratching sounds behind your walls

·        Rodent droppings in your attic, walls of the residence, or cabinets in bathrooms or the kitchen.

·        Bite marks on wiring and/ or cables

·        Flickering lights

·        Malfunctioning appliances (they chew cords as well)

·        Frequently tripped circuits

·        Appliance failure

·        Frequent power fluctuations

·        A burnt, decay smell (indicating the presence of an electrocuted rodent)

·        Rodent sightings on or about your property

Being proactive on the front end will give them no reason to stay. Some things you should do to prevent pesky critters is:

·        Seal up any cracks, holes, and entry points as well as you can

·        Keep things tidy. Put away leftover food right away

·        Regularly take out the trash and keep a tight lid on your garbage cans

·        Keep your tree branches trimmed to prevent pests from making their way onto your roof

·        Use rodent traps or contact an exterminator to get rid of unwanted critters

·        Call an electrician if you have any of the above listed electrical issues or know you have had an infestation, just to be on the safe side.

Being proactive is the absolute best way to protect your home’s electrical equipment.

Regular visual inspections of wiring or appliance cords is an important step in ensuring your wiring stays safe.

If your electrical wiring has been damaged by rodents, Bolt Electric in San Antonio can assist with electrical repairs

that will have you up and running again in no time.

Make your presence known and show those critters who really runs the household! Contact Bolt Electric,

the San Antonio electricians you can Trust!

BOLT ELECTRIC, LLC

18847 REDLAND ROAD, SUITE 105

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78259

(210) 545-2658