Is it true that bugs can eat the cables in your walls?

It’s really gross to think about. I mean you’re sitting there watching TV and there could be bugs munching on your cables in the attic or in the walls. I don’t know what’s worse– that the bugs are in there or that they could be doing irreparable harm to your cables. It’s kind of like the idea that you have mites crawling over you all the time. That’s a fact but it’s a very, very unsettling one.

Or is it just a myth?

Unfortunately it’s not a myth. There are several breeds of pests that are attracted to the rubber insulation in your cables. Termites and silverfish both seem to find cables quite interesting and though they’re not likely to bite, if they do they could start nibbling into you picture quality. Even ants have been known to chew through rubber cable sheaths.

It doesn’t seem like a tiny insect bite would be an issue, unless of course they really chow down. Sometimes they do, and sometimes the real issue is formic acid. Formic acid is a naturally occurring chemical secreted by termites and ants. It’s used in their digestive process. It’s not a particularly strong acid, but it can dissolve rubber insulation over time. Once the rubber jacket is exposed to air, the cable inside can begin to oxidize and boom, there goes your reception.

What can you do?

As with all bug infestations, the best thing to do is try to avoid them from the start. If you run a lot wires through the walls or in the attic, you should tell the exterminator but most modern chemicals are safe for use on cables anyway. If you do think you have a bug problem, the best thing to do is to start with professional treatment. You may want to get up in the attic (which could be kind of gross at this point) and take a look to see if there’s been any damage to the cables you have. Don’t just spot check because insect bites can be fairly small.

This is one thing I tell people not to “DIY.” The chemicals that really work are restricted to use by professionals and this isn’t something you really want to mess around with. Something that kills bugs could potentially kill small animals or even humans. Getting a professional involved will help you be sure that you get it right.

If this is something you’re dealing with at the office, you should coordinate with others in the same building because the bugs you send out of your office will just go live in their offices. Then, if they get a pro treatment, those bugs can come back to you. You want to deal with the problem once and for all.

Hopefully, this is something you’ll never have to deal with, but you should know that there’s a limited lifespan for cables, they do eventually oxidize and you should always be thinking about how old that wiring is (especially for TV and high-speed data) and when you should plan to replace it.

This article is brought to you by Solid Signal. Shop at Solid Signal for the cables and accessories you need to live your best digital life. Call us with questions at 888-233-7563 or fill out the form below for quick results.

About the Author

Stuart Sweet
Stuart Sweet is the editor-in-chief of The Solid Signal Blog and a "master plumber" at Signal Group, LLC. He is the author of over 10,000 articles and longform tutorials including many posted here. Reach him by clicking on "Contact the Editor" at the bottom of this page.