Squirrels, mice and rats are all rodents, their teeth grow non-stop; therefore they must continuously chew to keep their teeth short and sharp. They like any surface that they can gnaw on. Wood is often preferred, but they will also chew on electrical wires, duct work and other materials.
This wire chewing habit is a potential fire hazard for your attic and home. Another concern is the animal electrocuting itself by grounding the wires; this can be a fire hazard or cause an odor problem when the animal is killed and starts to decompose.
Squirrels and rats also chew on water pipes , if they are present in your attic. Greater Atlanta homes will have water damage and water stains from this rodent behavior.