Here is one my 7.5# cat killed. Heard a noise from downstairs, she takes off like a rocket, after a brief scuffle she comes back up dragging this sucker. Killing machines, I tell you!
Rats, foiled again...
Cat done wrong...
the one on the right looks like it'll cut me in my sleep.
Mice can be very destructive. They like to chew wires in attic spaces causing a fire hazard and destroy the effectiveness of insulation causing heat loss. For every one you see, there are at least half a dozen you don't see. Take a look in your attic space. If you see evidence of mice (droppings, nesting etc.), call the exterminator.
Blown insulation is pretty safe. The danger comes from the paper back on batt insulation. The other issue is the short cuts that so many builders take in addition to foolish mistakes made by owners doing renovations.Yeah I get the occasional mouse in my attic, I have no idea how they're coming in. I have monitored snap traps and around this time of year I catch 1 or 2.
I think it should be code to use BX wiring in attics. If I was wiring a house from scratch that's what I would do. Now that I have blown insulation (which is basically shredded newspaper) I'm a bit more worried that mice start chewing up wires. I suppose the fibreglass insulation and drywall below would act as a fire retardant but that's a moot point once the wood structure catches on fire. Almost makes me want to put fire detectors in the attic. Attic is a pain in the ass to get to though. That's why my mouse traps are monitored. I only go up there if I get a notification.
Blown insulation is pretty safe. The danger comes from the paper back on batt insulation. The other issue is the short cuts that so many builders take in addition to foolish mistakes made by owners doing renovations.
No paperback insulation for me so guess I'm fairly good then. Only vapor barrier plastic directly over the drywall. Any electrical would be within the fibreglass anyway. Hopefully it would just spark out and smother a bit then die due to lack of oxygen and other combustible material, if a mouse was to chew it.
Either way I definitely do need to get my mice issue under control and figure out how they're getting in. I figured I had solved it last year but guess not.
In addition to the possibility of electrical fires, electrical runs tend to be ganged together. That means a short in one circuit can cause a problem by melting through the line next to it. Do you have any pot lights? If so, do they all have proper box surrounds? Do you have any hidden electrical junctions? I've seen so many screwed up electrical issues over the years. Over loaded circuits, junctions with just wire caps on and no box, cut wires just hanging that are still live and it goes on and on.
But are they coming out of your air conditioner? :hmm:
But are they coming out of your air conditioner? :hmm:
just when my cat is getting on my nerves, last night it ate a silverfish, completely justifying its worth.