Possums, also known as opossums, are very destructive creatures and a common problem in rural areas. They will do anything to get their next meal, from spilling your garbage cans to chewing wires and woods. If you are wondering how to stop possums from chewing wires and wood then have a look at the following tips.
To Stop Possums from Chewing Wires and Wood, you can use the following tips.
- Block their entering points
- Use a wire mesh
- Install A Possum Guard
- Intruder Alarm
- Get a professional help
We are going to talk about why possums chew wires and wood the ways to stop possums from chewing wires and wood, let alone allowing them to consume food.
So, let’s get started!
Why Do Possums Chew Wires?
Possums are one of the most destructive pests out there. They can destroy your garden, eat your pets, and even get into your house and chew on your wires. Yes, it’s really not uncommon for possums to chew on wires, but it happens more than you might think. The following can be the reasons why a possum is chewing on your wires.
1. Cables Are Blocking Their Way
If the electrical cables block their passage within a wall cavity, they will chew them out of the way.
2. Possums Love to Chew!
Possums love to chew on soft surfaces like wires because of their constantly growing teeth, and chewing keeps their teeth from growing too much.
3. To Balance the Electrolytes
Possums will chew on wires because they are seeking the salts that are found in the copper or the rubber casing of the cables. Salt is essential for the body to regulate its balance of electrolytes. They are essentially going for the salts, which are very hard to get from natural food sources.
4. For Nesting
Mostly in mating season, they like to take a little bit of everything to a place where they give birth to their babies, so maybe this is why they are chewing wires.
How To Deter Possums from Chewing on Wood?
Following are the ways you can prevent possums from causing harm.
1. Block their Entering Points
Possums are very clever creatures, and they can get into your home by simply poking their head through a small hole and then wriggling the rest of their body inside. If you have an opening of just an inch, a possum can quickly get in!
The best way to stop possums from chewing wires and wood is to block all their entry points and prevent them from coming into your home in the first place.
2. Use a Wire Mesh
Possums can scale the side of your house and enter through a window or a vent: cover ceiling vents, outside dryer vents, and soffit with wire mesh. Wire mesh is excellent for maintaining the safety of your house from these little trouble-causing creatures.
3. Install A Possum Guard
Possum’s Guard is a device that is used to keep pests out of your attic. It is a humane way to control pests. It is one of the most efficient and economical possum control methods. It is also very safe for children and pets. A possum guard is a device that is installed in the roof space of a house.
Once installed, it makes your roof space inaccessible to possums. This means that they cannot nest or leave behind any damage. It is also very easy to install.
4. Intruder Alarm
Intruder alarms are a very easy way to get rid of possums. Possums are very sensitive to noise and will avoid areas with a lot of noise.
5. Get a Professional Help
Possums are not your typical pests; they are nocturnal, territorial, agile, and adaptable; it is very important that you call in the right experts to help you solve the possum problem.
How Can You Tell If Wires Have Been Chewed?
If you’ve been around an animal long enough to know what a chewed wire by possums looks like. But if you have never seen anything like this before, then there are a couple of things to look at while finding chewed wires by possums.
- Bite marks on wires and cables.
- Sounds coming from behind the walls.
- Circuits are tripping.
- Appliance failure.
- Frequent fluctuations.
What Smell Keeps Possums Away?
Possums are very destructive pests. They will chew through walls and roofs, leaving behind a mess and a lot of damage. Although we cannot eliminate this relentless pest, we can use some tips and tricks to deter them from chewing on wires.
Since they can’t stand strong smells, use garlic, onion, hot peppers, naphthalene, and ammonia, and remember these scents fade away after some time, so make sure to reapply after 1 or 2 weeks.
Is It Dangerous If Possums Chew on Wires?
Possums are not the smartest animals and are not afraid of wires. They will jump on them and play on them, even if the cables carry thousands of volts.
They are not able to recognize the danger and will continue to play on wires until their foot makes contact with the wires end until they are killed.
Does Peppermint Oil Repel Possums?
Yes, peppermint oil can be a powerful repellent against possums. Peppermint oil is an essential oil that smells nice, but it’s also very powerful against possums.
It is easily available in local natural food stores at a relatively low price. Apply it every six months, and it will do the trick. It can be used to repel a variety of pests, including possums and rabbits. Here’s how to use peppermint oil to repel possums.
- Dip cotton balls in 100% pure peppermint oil and place them around your house, especially on your roof from where possums enter and damage your wires.
- You can also make a spray by combining two teaspoons of peppermint oil with one cup of water and applying it frequently to get rid of possums permanently.
How To Stop Possum to Enter Your Roof?
Possums can easily get into your roof by walking along any cable the cables that run to your house.
Here are a few tips to stop them from entering and causing damage.
- Keeping your trees trimmed will keep raccoons from climbing and entering your home.
- Make sure the bottom seals are tight on all outside doors, including your garage door.
- Set traps on various places from where possums enter and use your pet’s food or fish as bait to catch them.
Do Possums Chew Car Wires?
Many people take their car for sensor failure to the mechanic only to find out that possums had chewed the engine’s wiring, which of course, cost them a lot of money.
They are attracted to the electrolysis component of wires. This is the easiest thing for them to chew on once they get into the wiring, and it can be a costly fix.
Do Possums Destroy Woods?
Possums are considered pests, and they will destroy the woods to get their next meal. They eat all sorts of wood, but they prefer soft, freshly cut wood. If you have newly cut wood around your house, you might get some visits from the possums.
How To Keep Them Away From The Woods?
Here are a few tips to keep them away from the woods!
Turn On Extra Lights Near Woods
Possums are nocturnal creatures and come out when it’s dark. You can use this to your advantage by placing extra lights near the woods.
Dog Urine
Possums are scared of dogs. Mix dog urine with water and spritz it on the ground near the woods. It will frighten them.
Sprinkle Blood
Sprinkling blood and bone fertilizer around the woods can be a very good deterrent to keep possums far away from the woods.
Grow Plants That Possums Hate
Many non-toxic plants like chrysanthemums, agapanthus, citronella varieties, lavender and rosemary bushes, mint, and geraniums can be used as a barrier around the woods to keep them safe and these wallabies away.
Can Possums Chew Through Chicken Wire?
Yes, they could be lurking around your loop to eat chickens and steal their eggs. These pesky possums will easily tear the chicken wire to get their meal.
You can play a radio and Christmas lights or fairy lights near the chicken’s coop at night. Possums hate noises and lights and avoid the places with lights and sounds, and it will be enough to keep them away and not cause any harm to your chickens.
Do Deterrents Work in Keeping Them Away?
Deterrents are repellents used to keep certain animals away from a particular area by scaring them. There are many deterrents available commercially and in homes to keep possums away.
1. Sprays
The smell of garlic and onion are the natural deterrents to keep them away. They hate it! Place garlic cloves or onions around your house, especially near the wires to keep them away from the cables.
2. Ultrasonic Animal Repellents
Ultrasonic pest repellents emit high-frequency sounds when they detect a moving body and scare them away without causing them any harm.
3. Physical Deterrents
Many physical deterrents like electrical fences, spike barriers, and cable guards can be used to keep possums away from your house and wires.
What are the Dangers Humans Face Because of Possums Chewing Wires?
Electrical failures and malfunctions were the main cause of house fires in 2015-2019. According to the report of the National Fire Protection Association, “an estimated average of 46,700 home fires involving electrical failure each year in 2015–2019.”
Electrical failure is also one of the most dangerous reasons for house fires, and 90% of it is because of possums.
So, if you hear noises of possums chewing on your wires lately, it is not a matter to take lightly. You should take action immediately to solve this issue. Otherwise, it can be life-threatening.
Check The Electric Wiring Frequently.
Frequently call an electrician to check on the electrical wirings. With their experience, they will detect the damage earlier and save your family from any harm and save a lot of your money as well.
If the wirings have not been inspected frequently, electrical hazards can occur and put your life and your family’s life at risk.
Conclusion
possums are known for chewing on your wires and wood. They are not only destructive but extremely dangerous when it comes to fires. They carry bacteria that can be easily transferred to other materials and start fires.
If you have possums chewing on your stuff, you need to get them out immediately. If trapping is legal in your area, then trap and relocate him or contact a qualified wildlife removal company.
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