Introduction
Squirrels may seem harmless, but when they build nests in attics, they cause water damage, chew wood, and spread salmonella bacteria through their droppings. They can also carry fleas, ticks, and even attack humans if threatened. Using tree branches, they enter homes through small gaps in gable vents and roofs. To prevent squirrels, homeowners should trim trees, seal entry points, and call wildlife technicians to remove squirrels before they cause costly damage or health risks like nerve pain, abdominal cramps, and swollen lymph nodes.
Notable Squirrel Danger Cases in Attics and Home Exhaust Systems
Fire and Electrical Wiring Hazards Caused by Squirrels
- Lapeer, Michigan (July 2010): A squirrel chewing on electrical wiring in the basement sparked a fire that did $85,000 in damage. Firefighters determined the chewed wire was the fire’s causethecountypress.mihomepaper.com. This is what one squirrel’s teeth can do to an attic fire.
- Menlo Park, California (Dec 24, 2017): On Christmas Eve, a squirrel chewed through a neutral power line coming into the house, energizing the home’s electrical system and causing a fire at the doorbell unitabc7news.comabc7news.com. A retired fire chief who was walking his dog spotted the smoke and the fire was contained with about $5,000 in damage – could have been much worse if not caught earlyabc7news.com. This was the first squirrel fire the local fire captain had seen in 20 yearsabc7news.com.
- Stratford, Ontario (March 2024): Investigators thought it was old wiring at first but found a squirrel had been nesting in the attic and chewed an electrical line. The live wire separated where the squirrel chewed it and ignited a fire in the attic above a downtown apartmentstratfordtoday.castratfordtoday.ca. Flames burned down through an open wall space and charred an apartment wall before firefighters put it out. The fire chief said there was evidence of squirrel activity at the origin in the atticstratfordtoday.ca. (The squirrel itself was not found, likely fled.)
- St. Catharines, Ontario (2011): A house fire with 10-metre-high flames and a partial roof collapse started when squirrels chewed through attic wiring. The St. Catharines Standard reported the squirrels had chewed electrical cables in the loft and started the fire that collapsed the roof. This is what squirrel damage can do to spread fire quickly.* Kerrville, Texas (December 2024): A family of 10 (2 parents and 8 kids) lost their home when a squirrel chewed into the attic through a vent and chewed on wiring, likely caused a fire that burned the house downmuckrack.com. The community came together to help the family after the devastating blaze, which officials said was “most likely started by a squirrel” based on signs of chewing923theranch.com. This recent case shows the human cost – a big family displaced – of an undetected squirrel infestation.
- Hertfordshire, UK (2013): A £400,000 bungalow was reduced to ashes after squirrels in the loft chewed through the electrical cablesifsecglobal.com. The incident (reported by the Daily Mail) shows how quickly a squirrel problem can turn into a total loss of property. British pest control experts said this is a warning that “cute” grey squirrels can do more damage than rats when they get into homesifsecglobal.com.
- South Lake Tahoe, California (Aug 2005): Even outside the home, squirrels can cause fires. In this case, a squirrel climbed a power pole and was electrocuted on the wires, caught on fire and fell to the groundfirehouse.com. The burning squirrel then ignited dry material below and started a fire around the base of the pole and knocked out electricity to about 3,200 customersfirehouse.com. Neighbors put out the flames with extinguishers. While this happened outside, it shows how squirrels tangled in electrical lines can start fires that can hit homes and neighborhoods.
- Bel Air, Maryland (2018): A woman’s car burst into flames on the side of the road after a squirrel nested under the hood. Investigators found a chewed nest and a dead squirrel in the engine compartmentwmar2news.com. An auto mechanic said squirrels often chew engine wiring (attracted to soy-based wire insulation), which can cause electrical shorts and fireswmar2news.comwmar2news.com. In this case, the driver was outside when smoke appeared but the car was badly damaged. It’s a reminder that squirrels in exhaust bays or engine compartments pose not only property damage risks but also immediate safety hazards.
- Conroe, Texas (no date): A Houston-area wildlife removal service reported a roof fire caused by squirrels chewing on attic electrical lines in a home in Conroehouston.aaacwildliferemoval.com. The squirrels had chewed through the insulation on the wiring and eventually sparked a fire in the roof structure. While not widely publicized in major news, this was significant enough to be noted by professionals and shows the very real fire danger squirrels create by exposing live wires.
- Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota (2018): Park firefighters quickly put out a vehicle fire likely caused by squirrels nesting in the engine compartmentwildfiretoday.com. The squirrels had packed flammable nesting material near the motor which ignited when the vehicle was started. While not a home attic scenario, it’s a parallel case of squirrels creating a fire hazard in an exhaust system – in this instance, a car’s engine – showing how versatile and dangerous their nesting habits can be.
- Prior Lake, Minnesota (Nov 2021): A squirrel caused a massive power outage when it got into a substation and cut power to nearly 4,000 homesbringmethenews.com. The critter triggered a short which knocked out power for about 25 minutes. Although no fire was reported in this incident, it shows the broader electrical risks squirrels pose. A sudden loss of power can create dangerous situations (e.g. home heating systems failing in winter or alarm systems going down). In this case, crews had to track down and fix the squirrel-induced damage to restore powerbringmethenews.com.
Structural Damage and Squirrel Infestation
- Kilwinning, Scotland (2019–2021): For three years Michelle Collins battled an invasion of grey squirrels in her home which left her feeling terrorized. The squirrels entered through the roof and walls and repeatedly raided her kitchen and pantry. They chewed up doors, door frames and cabinetry to get to dog food and other edible treats. In this case, despite help from pest controllers, the problem persisted – one contractor “gave up” after being unable to catch the clever rodents. This chronic infestation caused extensive structural damage (gnawed woodwork and walls) and rendered parts of the home unusable. Collins described dreading to enter her kitchen each morning due to the destruction and mess left by the squirrels
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Feeding squirrels can lead to aggressive behavior and health risks. When people feed squirrels, the animals may become habituated to humans and exhibit aggressive tendencies. This behavior can make squirrels dangerous, as they might approach humans or pets more boldly, potentially leading to bites or scratches.
- Weakening of Homes: Beyond fires, squirrels can also cause gradual damage. Pest experts have blamed squirrels for weakening roof joists and support beams in homes because of persistent gnawing
. In many cases, homeowners don’t realize rodents have been in the attic until significant damage is done. For example, squirrels have been known to chew through wooden rafters and underpinnings in the attic, which can compromise a roof’s integrity. One UK insurance claim involved squirrels gnawing through roof timbers and underfelt, requiring tens of thousands of pounds in repairs (see financial cases below)
. These cases show that a squirrel infestation can literally undermine a home’s structure, even if no fire occurs.
- Health and Safety Risks:
- Toronto, Ontario (Jan 1998): A father and son died from carbon monoxide poisoning after squirrels built a massive nest in their home’s chimney
Electric Shock in the UK (2022): Not only can squirrel-chewed wires start fires, they can also injure people. One UK homeowner reported an electric shock after a squirrel had partially chewed a wire
When the resident touched what seemed to be a normal light switch or appliance, the damaged insulation caused a short, shocking them. Luckily, the person was not killed, but this shows another risk: exposed live wires (hidden in attics or walls) can energize metal fixtures or surfaces in the home. It’s a serious safety hazard for both residents and maintenance workers. (In this case, the insurance claim documentation noted the shock as evidence of squirrel damage
- Disease and Biohazards: Squirrels in the attic create unhealthy conditions that can affect human health. Their droppings and urine accumulate and can harbor pathogens. For example, squirrel feces can carry leptospirosis, salmonella, and tularemia, among other diseases
. Even if not transmitted to people directly, the waste can promote mold growth and attract insects. Homeowners and cleanup crews have to be careful, as breathing dust from dried squirrel droppings can cause respiratory issues. While specific illness outbreaks from squirrel waste are not widely reported in news, the risk is well documented by wildlife control professionals
. This means proper cleanup and decontamination after an infestation is crucial – often a costly process that may require replacing soiled insulation and disinfecting attic spaces.
Bacterial infections such as Leptospirosis can be contracted through contact with infected squirrel urine, leading to symptoms like fever, headache, and rash. Highly contagious fungal infections like ringworm can also spread through contact with infected squirrels or contaminated surfaces. Infected squirrels can transmit various diseases, posing significant health risks. Infectious diseases like Tularemia are another concern, emphasizing the need for caution around squirrel habitats.
Pet food left unsecured can attract squirrels, leading to infestations. It’s important to store pet food indoors to prevent access. Bird feeders can also attract squirrels, so using squirrel-proof varieties is recommended to minimize this issue. Baby squirrels, while adorable, are not dangerous to humans or pets and can be safely handled if found.
- Financial and Legal Risks:
- Buckhead (Atlanta), Georgia (December 2019): The Drees family came home from a holiday trip to find their home ransacked – not by burglars, but by a trapped squirrel. The panicked animal had fallen down the chimney and chewed up window frames, door trims, and wooden molding throughout the house trying to escape
. The repair estimate was in the thousands of dollars. But when they filed a claim, their insurance company (Mercury Insurance) denied coverage, citing a policy exclusion for damage caused by “rodents or vermin”
kxxv.com . The adjuster said if a raccoon had done the damage it would be covered, but squirrels fell under the exclusion
. This case via WSB/CNN is a warning: most homeowners insurance policies won’t pay for squirrel or rodent damage, so homeowners will have to foot the bill.
- Texas Legal Case (Jones v. Insurance, 1970s): Not all squirrel claims are clear-cut; there has been at least one lawsuit. The Jones family in Texas sued their insurer after a squirrel got into their house and caused damage. The policy excluded losses caused by “vermin,” and the insurer initially argued a squirrel was vermin and not covered
propertyinsurancecoveragelaw.com
. The case went to court where the judge found the term “vermin” ambiguous and ruled in favor of the homeowners – deciding that in that context a squirrel was not clearly vermin and thus the damage should be covered
. This legal precedent shows policy language matters. But in response, insurers have updated their policies to explicitly list rodents as excluded perils
, closing the loophole that helped the Joneses.
- UK Insurance Claim Surge (2022): Insurers have seen a surge in squirrel home damage claims. LV= General Insurance reported 51% year-over-year increase in claims for squirrel infestations from 2021 to 2022
. The types of claims included chewed wiring and pipes, torn-up decking and fascia boards. One extreme claim was for £30,000 to repair: a squirrel had gnawed through roof timbers and underlay so the entire roof section had to be rebuilt and the family had to move into temporary accommodation during repairs
insurancetimes.co.uk. This is the financial impact of a squirrel invasion – even if insurance covers it you’ll face out-of-pocket costs (not to mention the hassle of displacement). Many other homeowners are not so lucky and have their claims rejected due to rodent exclusions.
- Car Damage Costs (St. Louis, 2019): Squirrels don’t just menace houses – they can chew car wiring too, leading to expensive fixes. A driver in Missouri found his truck’s electrical harness chewed up and contacted a news station after having to pay hundreds of dollars for repairs
. He learned that squirrels (and other rodents) are attracted to newer soy-based wire insulation. This small case illustrates a bigger issue: the financial burden on homeowners for squirrel damage often extends to secondary property like vehicles which is not covered by home insurance either. Most car insurance policies require comprehensive coverage to pay for rodent damage and without it repairs come out of the owner’s pocket.
- Widespread Incidents (General): Industry experts say squirrel related property damage is far from rare. In fact one insurance commentary said there are hundreds of articles documenting how these creatures have caused fires, floods and other costly incidents in homes and buildings
propertyinsurancecoveragelaw.com
. From chewed through PEX water pipes that flood a house, to attic infestations requiring full insulation replacement, to squirrels shorting out home HVAC systems – the financial risks are vast. The bottom line: infestations can lead to hefty repair bills or insurance headaches. Proactively squirrel proofing your attic and vents (and maintaining insurance that covers rodent caused fires or ensuing losses) is key to avoiding being the next news story.
Squirrel Infestation Risks
Understanding the Dangers of Squirrel Infestations
Squirrel infestations can pose significant risks to homeowners, including damage to property, health risks, and safety concerns. These wild animals are notorious for chewing through electrical wires and insulation, which can lead to costly repairs and even fires. The damage to electrical wiring is particularly concerning, as it can create hidden fire hazards that may go undetected until it’s too late. Additionally, squirrel droppings can contaminate food and water sources, spreading diseases such as salmonellosis and leptospirosis. The accumulation of squirrel feces can also promote mold growth and attract other pests, further exacerbating the problem. Addressing a squirrel infestation promptly and effectively is crucial to prevent these risks and protect your home and health.
Squirrel Behavior and Attack Risks
When Will Squirrels Attack?
Squirrels are generally timid and non-aggressive, but there are situations where they may become dangerous. If a squirrel feels threatened, cornered, or perceives its young or territory to be in danger, it may attack. Additionally, squirrels infected with diseases such as rabies can exhibit aggressive behavior. It’s also possible for squirrels to attack if they are in a situation where they feel trapped or scared. For instance, a squirrel that has accidentally entered a home and cannot find an escape route may become frantic and aggressive. It’s crucial to exercise caution when interacting with squirrels, especially if they appear aggressive or erratic. If you encounter a squirrel that seems threatening, it’s best to contact a professional squirrel control service for assistance to ensure your safety and the humane handling of the animal.
Squirrel Diseases and Health Risks
Squirrel Diseases and Human Health
Squirrels can carry a variety of diseases and parasites that pose significant health risks to humans. Among the most concerning are Lyme disease, tularemia, and leptospirosis, which can be transmitted through direct or indirect contact with infected squirrels or their droppings. Squirrel droppings can contaminate food and water sources, spreading diseases such as salmonellosis. Additionally, squirrel bites and scratches can transmit diseases like rabies and bacterial infections. It’s essential to take precautions when handling squirrel feces or coming into contact with infected squirrels. For instance, wearing gloves and masks during cleanup can help prevent the inhalation of harmful pathogens. If you suspect you have been exposed to a squirrel-borne disease, it is crucial to seek medical attention promptly. Understanding these risks underscores the importance of professional squirrel control to manage and mitigate the health hazards associated with squirrel infestations.
Conclusion
Ignoring a squirrel infestation can lead to fires, water damage, and disease risks like muscle aches and salmonella bacteria. These pests exploit small gaps and enter homes via tree branches, damaging wiring and insulation. To stay safe, homeowners should maintain their yards, secure gable vents, and avoid direct contact. Professional wildlife removal technicians can safely remove squirrels, preventing further destruction and protecting against disease. These risks underscore the importance of professional squirrel removal to manage and mitigate the health hazards associated with squirrel infestations.
