Severed cord from a Christmas light display in De Pere, believed to have been chewed by some sort of animal. PC: Fox 11 Online
DE PERE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Squirrels, mice and rabbits are close to earning spots on Santa’s naughty list this holiday season. The critters are bringing new meaning to the idea of a Grinch.
Abby Cosner of De Pere has a variety of Christmas lights and decorations in her yard.
“We like lighting up for Christmas and I bought these (candy cane lights) last year, they were a little bit expensive, but I really like candy canes so I was really disappointed when I saw they weren’t working, twice now.”
After looking at the light, Cosner said, “The first time it was chopped up in three places, the last time it was just the one.”
The wiring between the Cosner’s candy cane lights had been severed.
So, Abby Cosner took to social media to see if anyone else in her neighborhood was dealing with a similar situation. The responses starting rolling in — and the answers, she said, were surprising.
According to Cosner, “A lot of people thought it was squirrels and rabbits chewing it.”
Officials with the DNR agree, to an extent. A wildlife biologist says it was most likely squirrels or mice taking a bite out of the Cosner’s Christmas.
“When it comes to squirrels or mice, they’ll chew on power cords and can create problems. I don’t know if it’s the texture of the cord or what it is they chew on it and for some reason it’s appealing to them to do that,” said Brad Koele.
The tenacity of the critters literally cutting the holiday spirit short.
Koele added, “Anywhere that that cord is accessible or visible you have that risk of rodents or mice chewing on them.”
The DNR says there isn’t a magic solution to the problem but there are some things people can try to deter the rodents. Make sure to remove all bird or squirrel feeders from your yard. There are repellent sprays you can put on vegetation, like trees and bushes, but it’s unclear how effective they’d be on wires, lights and cords. Sometimes just being outside could help scare away those unwanted guests.
Koele suggested, “Harassing the squirrels, trying to make them feel uncomfortable while they’re in your yard if you are having issues.”
While the the Cosners adjusted their security cameras, hoping to catch the culprits, they’re also wrapping the damaged cords, they’ve now fixed twice, to make them less attractive.
Abby Cosner added, “I just hope whatever it is, stops. I like my lights and I know my husband does not like repairing them over and over because at some point he’ll just say, that’s it!”
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