Why Do Mice Chew Wires?

This post can apply to owners of mice, and people who have house mice sneaking in. Both parties have scratched our heads and asked, ”Why Do Mice Chew Wires?” at some point.

I learned this the hard way. I let me mice out to play around from time-to-time, and typically the moment I take my eye of Alife, he chewed a wire. Not just any wire, mind. The wire for my computer keyboard.

So I couldn’t use my keyboard to carry on and shut down what I was doing. It was very annoying, but what can I expect – they are wild creatures that love to chew.

So, Why Do Mice Chew Wires?

In a nutshell it’s because they need to keep their teeth trimmed. You see, mice only have one set of teeth in their lives. They don’t shed baby teeth like us, then develop adult teeth.

Their front top teeth and always growing too, it never stops. So they need to gnaw on things to keep them trim, otherwise they will develop health problems associated to their long teeth.

So the reason a mouse will chew on a wire is simply because it’s there, in front of them. The texture of the outside of a wire is rubber or plastic, a perfect material to chew on.

How Can I Stop Mice Chewing My Wires?

Well, the only real way is to ensure they don’t find the wire. I know that is not very helpful, but there is no other solution. Unless of course you stop the mice getting to the wire.

If you are being annoyed by house mice, you should look into how to get rid of them. But please do it humanely, remember that although they are annoying you, the mice are just going about their business looking for food.

If you have pet mice that you like letting run free from time to time, it’s time to hide, move, or protect any wires they will come across. It’s good house keeping to try and get all wires off the floor anyway, right?

It can be hazardous to your health having wires out, as well as the unsuspecting mouse that nibbles through it.

Giving Mice Something To Chew On

If you have fancy mice as pets, you should be giving them something to chew on in their cage. The easiest option is pieces or tubes of cardboard, you will find dozens of bite marks on cardboard just hours after leaving it in with them.

If they have already ruined one of your wires, why not strip the metal out the middle and give them the rubber to chew on? Anything like these two suggestions will do just fine.

 

So there you have it, several reasons, and solutions to the problem of why do mice chew wires?

Do you have any stories about mice chewing on anything in your home? Feel free to share it here, and don’t be too mad – these little rodents are just doing what they need to.