Rodent-related damage to wiring and cabling is increasing across vehicles, infrastructure and buildings, driving up repair costs, system outages and fire risk.
Insurance data from Aviva shows a 28% rise in rodent-related motor claims in 2024, with an average repair cost of £2,494. Extreme cases have exceeded £24,000 and resulted in total vehicle write-offs. Insurers report widespread incidents of chewed wiring affecting dashboard sensors, batteries, suspension systems and gear mechanisms, alongside fuel and water leaks caused by damage to tanks and pipework.
Rodents are also increasingly affecting broadband and telecommunications networks. Community Fibre chief executive Graeme Oxby told The Daily Telegraph (26 January 2026) that 'rodents like fibres which are very tasty,' adding that the potential cost of repairing damage had partly deterred his company from rescuing G.Network.
BT Openreach has previously blamed nesting rats for prolonged network outages after engineers discovered rodents had chewed through ducting, outer casing and multiple cables, while residents and businesses in Doncaster have also experienced broadband disruption attributed to rodent damage, according to local MP and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband.
d2p Rodent Repellent technology from Symphony Environmental Technologies Plc can be added to plastic and rubber components during manufacture, creating a built-in, long-term deterrent. The technology is designed to be non-toxic and humane, discouraging rodents from gnawing without harming them.
By incorporating d2p masterbatch into plastic insulation around cables and into other plastic and rubber products, manufacturers can help protect vehicles, infrastructure and equipment from rodent damage. The deterrent effect remains active throughout the life of the component, helping to reduce outages, breakdowns and costly repairs.
The issue extends beyond cars and commercial vehicles to motorcycles, quad bikes, ships, aircraft, railway systems, buildings and food storage applications. When rodents gnaw through plastic coatings they can expose live wires, causing short circuits and potentially catastrophic fires. Damage to plastic pipes and tanks can also lead to dangerous leaks.
Industry specialists say greater use of built-in rodent deterrent technology within cable coatings and other critical components could play an important role in mitigating these risks, and insurers are increasingly encouraging preventative approaches.
