Squirrels show an appetite for LED rope lights in San Antonio

Many towns have started using LED rope lights and string lights to celebrate the holiday season, and for good reason. These fixtures typically have a longer lifespan than standard incandescent string lights and they are durable enough to be used outdoors. However, one city in Texas is running into a little trouble making sure that their LED rope lights stay intact throughout the season.

Recently, city officials in San Antonio told KENS-5 News that squirrels have become a serious problem in the River Walk area where LED rope lights and string lights brighten the way. The furry creatures appear to be gnawing at the wires, causing the lights to go out and forcing costly repairs.

"The contractor has to come back, and that's where he has to uninstall that particular portion of the stinger and re-install it," Pamela Stallcup, the director of downtown operations, told the news source. "That's where it becomes a little costly."

However, there are a few things that homeowners can do if they want to keep their LED rope lights and string lights intact. There are a number of safe squirrel repellent sprays that can be used to keep the critters away from the yard without causing harm.