Do Squirrels Cause House Fires [You'll Be Surprised]

Published on May 15th, 2023

Like any other animal, squirrels can start fires if they are trapped and distressed, caught in the flicker of a flame, or surrounded by the heat of smoldering cinders. Ash, tinder, and even a log from a forest could contribute to their predicament. A tree can become a dangerous torch if a squirrel's inattention leads to an ember falling from its acorn stash. However, squirrels do not cause house fires on their own. You may have heard of a squirrel "chewing through the wiring" or "frying something," but this is far from the truth. In reality, they might instead char the insulation as they chew on wires, causing smoke and a potential blaze. Unfortunate events, such as extreme weather or a fallen power line, may exacerbate the situation, sparking flames and requiring the service of firefighters to extinguish them.

When a squirrel enters your attic or crawlspace, it will chew on any electrical wiring it finds. It is because squirrels prefer to eat fruits, insects, and nuts with sharp teeth. They are also drawn to the warmth of the coal-like insulation on wires, as well as use their teeth to kindle and gather materials for their nests.

Squirrels also like to store food in their built nests for later use, sometimes even creating a campfire-like atmosphere. The squirrel chews on wires because they are trying to get at the food inside your home's walls or attic insulation. Unfortunately, chewing on wires can cause short circuits, cinder buildup, and fire, turning your home into a dangerous bonfire!

What Damage Do Squirrels Cause?

Squirrels are other rodents that often live in trees or tall shrubs. While some squirrels are non-native, others have been in the United States for centuries. Squirrels are the ultimate hoarders. They love to collect food and can quickly become a fire hazard if your home has a squirrel infestation! Some of the common damage squirrels cause include:

• They can chew through electrical appliance wires, causing them to short out and spark. It can lead to a fire in your home.

• They can chew through insulation, which may also cause an electrical fire. Leading to a damaged house.

• Squirrel nests are attics and walls, causing damage to these areas and making a huge mess.

Squirrels can cause house fires in three ways:

Chewing on electric wires

The most common way is chewing on electric wires and starting a fire. Squirrels often chew through electrical wires because they are attracted to the insulation's smell and like to gnaw on things. When squirrels chew through electrical wires, they can cause a short circuit or an overload. Both of these conditions can cause fires.

Holes chewed inside attics

Squirrels may also start fires when they nest inside attics and chew through wooden beams or walls, which can lead to structural damage that may result in a fire.

Damage plumbing systems

Squirrels may also start fires by entering a campfire or bonfire area and chewing on plastic wiring or lines that connect water heaters with their furnaces. It causes sparks that may ignite dry leaves or other materials, resulting in a fire.

The main reason squirrels chew through electrical wiring is that they are hungry and looking for food. Squirrels will gnaw on anything that looks edible to them, including electrical wires and cables.

Some people believe squirrels will chew through wires because they are thirsty and need moisture, but this isn't true.

These brown creatures do not get dehydrated from eating wire insulation because they don't consume the insulation itself; they chew through it to expose the copper inside so they can eat it.

If a squirrel caused a house fire, it can be a surprising and unfortunate event, leaving you with significant property damage to address. The safety of yourself and others is of utmost importance, so make sure everyone evacuates the premises and promptly seek assistance from the fire department. Once the fire is extinguished and the situation is stable, you may find yourself contemplating the best approach to selling a fire-damaged home. Selling the property offers an opportunity to offload the burden of repairs and move forward with a fresh start. To navigate the process smoothly, it's essential to work with real estate professionals experienced in dealing with fire-damaged properties. They can help you assess the fair value of your home in its current condition and devise a marketing strategy to attract potential buyers who may be interested in undertaking the necessary restoration. By opting to sell, you can expedite the recovery process and embark on the next chapter with renewed hope.

Here are some tips to help keep your home safe from squirrel-related fires:



You could put your family at risk of a house fire if you have squirrels in your attic or around your home. Check your attic and roofline regularly for squirrel activity, such as droppings or gnawed holes in siding or shingles.

Keep the area around your home's chimney clear of leaves and other debris so that there isn't a convenient squirrel living to build a nest or burrow into the brickwork, which can lead to fire hazards such as blocked fireplaces and damaged chimneys.

Dispose of fallen fruit from trees near your home promptly; squirrels will eat it and seek out more food sources if they find none outside.

A few other causes of fires are air fresheners, fans, toasters, mice, Christmas trees, and dryers.

Other Things That Cause Fires

• Fans
• Dryers
• Plugin Air Fresheners
• Mice
• Toasters
• Christmas Lights
• Furnaces

• Squirrels
• Smart Meters
• Space Heaters
• Crock Pots
• Lightning
• Fireworks
• Gas Fireplaces

• Electric Blankets
• Solar Panels
• Cigarettes'
• Batteries
• LED Lights
• Candles