Are Mice Really a Fire Hazard? What Every Homeowner Needs to Know

Are Mice Really a Fire Hazard? What Every Homeowner Needs to Know

No one likes discovering mice in the house. They chew on things, leave droppings and other mess behind, and can even spread illness. Often, people don’t realize that mice also put their homes at risk for fire. October is National Fire Prevention Month, which makes it a good time to think about a danger most people don’t notice. Many homes in the Pee Dee and Grand Strand have crawl spaces, older wiring, and humid conditions—perfect spots for mice to settle in. Knowing the risks can help you protect your home. Harris Pest Control has put together this blog post to explain why mice are more than a nuisance and how you can keep your home safe.

Why Mice Are Dangerous House Guests

Mice bring a long list of problems with them when they move indoors. They contaminate food, spread diseases, and ruin belongings with gnaw marks and droppings. You might first notice chewed cereal boxes in your pantry, holes in your clothing in closets, or even urine-soaked items in storage areas. But the most concerning damage often happens out of sight.

Mice chew constantly because their teeth never stop growing. In your home, that means insulation, wood beams, water pipes, gas lines, and electrical wires are all at risk. Damage in these areas isn’t just inconvenient; it can lead to structural problems, flooding, gas leaks, and fires.

Electrical wires are a favorite target for mice. Once wires inside your walls are chewed, sparks can form and ignite insulation or wood, sometimes smoldering for hours before turning into a full fire. The same danger exists with gas lines: even a small leak you don’t notice right away can turn catastrophic. In homes with crawl spaces or attics, common in Florence, Conway, and Myrtle Beach, these out-of-the-way areas make it even harder to spot the danger before it becomes serious.

The Scary Truth About Mice and Fires

When you think of house fire risks, clothes dryers, kitchen accidents, and space heaters probably come to mind. But here’s the surprising truth: experts estimate that 20–25% of house fires with an undetermined cause are linked to rodents. Considering that thousands of homes catch fire every year, that’s a staggering number and one South Carolina homeowners can’t afford to ignore.

With our hot summers and mild winters, the Pee Dee and Grand Strand regions are a perfect year-round environment for mice. They don’t need an invitation to move in. And once they do, every wire, pipe, or hidden gap becomes a potential hazard.

How You Can Prevent a Mouse Infestation

Keeping mice out takes effort, but it’s the best way to protect your home from damage and fire risks. These pests can squeeze through openings the size of a dime, so unless your home is well-sealed, it’s an easy target. Plus, homes in coastal areas like Myrtle Beach often deal with shifting foundations or salt air that wears away seals—making it even easier for rodents to sneak inside.

With over 50 years of protecting Pee Dee and Grand Strand homes, Harris Pest Control has seen it all and knows how to prevent infestations before they start. Here are our recommended rodent prevention tips:

Outside Your Home:

• Seal gaps, cracks, and holes in your foundation, siding, roofline, windows, and doors.

• Install door sweeps, weatherstripping, and window and door screens to block common entry points.

• Remove food sources such as fallen fruit, bird seed, and pet food from your yard.

• Keep outdoor trash receptacles covered and do not let garbage accumulate around them.

• Fix drainage issues and eliminate standing water that attracts rodents.

• Keep firewood, compost, and trash bins at least 20 feet from your home.

• Trim trees and shrubs back so they don’t touch your siding or roof.

• Clean up yard debris and clutter where rodents can hide.

Inside Your Home:

• Store food in sealed, rodent-proof containers.

• Clean up crumbs, spills, and dishes after meals.

• Take out the trash regularly and keep bins tightly closed.

• Reduce indoor humidity and fix leaks that provide moisture.

• Remove clutter from closets, storage rooms, attics, and crawl spaces—mice love nesting in forgotten corners.

These steps make your home less appealing to mice and much harder for them to access, greatly reducing your risk of a rodent-related fire.

What to Do if Mice Get Into Your Home

Sometimes, even with your best efforts, mice still find a way inside. When that happens, the key is to act fast. Here are common signs that mice are already in your home:

• Seeing live mice

• Hearing scratching or squeaking sounds in your walls, ceiling, crawl space, or other rodent-prone areas

• Finding mouse droppings

• Noticing jagged gnaw marks and holes on food packaging, electrical wires, wood, and other items

• Discovering nesting materials in out-of-the-way areas of your house

• Finding greasy rub marks along your baseboards or walls

If you notice even one of these signs, don’t wait. Mice breed quickly, and every day you delay increases the chance of property damage, or worse, a fire.

That’s where Harris Pest Control comes in. With decades of local expertise, we know the unique challenges Pee Dee and Grand Strand homeowners face. Our rodent control services target mice and rats, and start with a free and thorough rodent inspection. Based on our assessment, we’ll implement a plan of action that may include:

• Rodent trapping

• Rodent baiting

• Exterior rodent stations

• Rodent exclusion

Whether you live in an older house in Florence or a coastal home near the beach, our goal is to eliminate the infestation quickly, keep mice from returning, and give you peace of mind knowing your home is protected.

Contact Harris Pest Control today for assistance!