Squirrels are adorable in backyards and parks, but they can be quite destructive when they come in contact with electrical equipment. October was National Squirrel Awareness month and we took a look at how many power outages animals, including  squirrels, cause for our customers.

Downed trees and storms are to blame for most power outages, but animals cause their fair share of damage. In 2022 alone, more than 2,600 power outages across the I&M service area were caused by a variety of animals (excluding birds) impacting more than 25,000 customers.

“Squirrels are naturally curious. This leads them into trouble when they look for something to chew on, including power lines or electrical equipment,” said Scott Huebner, director of Distribution Region Operations.

Squirrels, along with racoons, mice, skunks and even snakes are attracted to the warmth of electrical equipment and are looking for food.

“We want to do what we can to keep power on for our customers,” Huebner said. “We are continuously looking for new equipment and technology to prevent outages and harm to animals. At I&M we use three main tools to deter squirrels, birds and any other curious animals.”

Those tools are:  

• Pole wraps: These hard plastic sleeves are screwed into a pole, and squirrels can’t easily dig their claws into them to climb. This protection is especially important for poles carrying more equipment that animals could contact.
• Animal protection covers and insulated wiring: Birds often eat bugs from the crevices around our equipment, and squirrels like to gnaw on the metal wires to file their teeth down. Either can potentially be a fatal mistake. To help prevent this, hedgehog-shaped plastic covers are placed on the transformer’s bushings, and the wires connecting the power line to the transformer are covered with insulation and rubber.
• Line guards: Spiderweb-like guards with rollers spin if a squirrel tries to cross them. Line guards are typically placed on the spans of wire that enter and exit our substations – a dangerous place for squirrels since there is plenty of equipment for them to make fatal contact. These devices help reduce substation outages, which often affect larger numbers of customers.

We also use lasers at a few substations. The lasers emit a green light, simulating a predator, to keep birds away. Animal deterrent fences are used inside some substations. Additionally, we have built platforms or moved birds’ nesting boxes to keep them safe and keep the power flowing.