Top 4 Critters That Caused Power Outages in 2025

When we think of widespread power outages - the kind that have entire neighborhoods in the dark, we naturally think an accident may have occurred at a power plant. Perhaps a transformer malfunctioned, or someone was asleep at the proverbial wheel. If it rained, we may assume a lightning strike was the culprit. But we rarely think of one of the most common causes: wildlife interference. Indeed, ordinary animals you probably don't give a passing thought to, caused some quite notable power outages last year.

Squirrels

Many power outages are caused by squirrels, scampering along power lines, inadvertently touching two wires with different charges or a wire and a grounded surface. A squirrel's natural tendency to file their teeth by gnawing on different surfaces can also result in its electrical exposure. While such exposure is frequently fatal for the squirrel, it also results in short circuits and fires, leading to power outages. This isn't just a hypothetical. A squirrel's entrance into an Idaho power substation in December of 2025 resulted in a loss of power for more than 8,300 homes and businesses.

Snakes

Snakes' sinuous bodies can also often easily find access to power plants and substations, seeking food, shelter, and warmth. When each end of a snake touches different leads (or a lead and ground), its body can also create short circuits, damage equipment and safety systems, and cause fires. Again, while usually fatal for the snake, the damage to the surrounding areas can be substantial. Last spring, multiple snakes slithering in and out of power stations left nearly 10,000 customers without power in North Carolina.

Birds

No less a nuisance, birds are also a common culprit of power outages. In Arizona, birds caused nearly 1,000 power outages for several hours in December 2025. Unlike squirrels and snakes, which can damage exterior equipment, as well as the equipment inside power plants and substations, birds typically damage exterior equipment. Birds pecking at wires, building nests in transformers, perching on power lines, or relieving themselves can result in outages.

Raccoons

Raccoons are another common source of outages. Much like squirrels, raccoons are naturally curious, need warmth, shelter, and food, and have small frames. They're just as able to wreak havoc on interior and exterior equipment as any other critter, and can cause just as much damage. They're especially attracted to warmth and the buzzing and humming sounds that electrical equipment often makes. Perhaps that's why one raccoon made its way to the Sussex Rural Electric Cooperative substation, knocking out power to 6,700 customers in New York and New Jersey in July of 2025.

Frequently, these critters are able to gain access because there are few, if any, effective safeguards in place. However, with Critter Guard, businesses and homeowners can protect vital and expensive equipment inside and outside. Our wildlife control products humanely deter these and other common critters, protecting them and vital equipment. To learn more about our wildlife control solutions, contact us today.