Fire danger from rats

PW65

In brief, woken by daughter at 3 a.m. who was hearing noises coming from loft. Went up later that day but couldn't find any evidence of rodents. Bought a cheap indoor camera which filmed a large rat a couple of days later. Called in local pest controller who could not find any access points but suspected it may be under next door's decking (we live in a 1930 vintage semi) but has recommended a drains survey. Two traps set with the usual peanut butter but no results 5 days later. My question is that in view of most insurance policies not covering damage caused by vermin, what are the chances of fire from gnawed electrical cables? Am I looking at a worst case scenario of being homeless and out of pocket by several hundred thousand quid if the nasty little beastie chews through a lighting or boiler cable?

FreeBear

If you have RCDs on all circuits up in the loft, I'd have thought the risk would be minimal.

thebullsback

i found using blue Slug Pellets yes Slug pellets got shot of my Rat. 

Grenage

There would be few homes left standing if rodents were that much of a risk.  Keep checking the traps and don't worry about it too much.

tacpot12

You could talk to an electrician about getting an Arc Fault Detection Device (AFDD) fitted in your consumer unit. An AFDD is a safety device that automatically cuts power to an electrical circuit if it detects an arc fault (sparking).

It's not a solution to your rat problem, which needs to be solved, but it might give you some peace of mind. 

PW65

Thank you all for your replies. I am sort of reassured but the rat problem persists with no takers for the peanut butter.  I think a drain survey is next to see if we can find an entry point.

RedFraggle

I'd check round anywhere they could access the cavity walls if the pest controller didn't.