04/25/2026
🐜 Ants vs. Your Home’s Electrical System!
We had a major scare at our house yesterday that we just had to share. After doing a full sweep, the damage was startling: 6 burnt-out power strips and a melted 12-gauge extension cord (just look at the photo! 😱).
We were home when it happened—we heard a loud “POP” and actually saw smoke coming from a surge protector. We are so thankful that God was watching over our home and that we were there to catch it before it escalated.
The culprit? Ants. 🐜
It turns out a colony had built tunnels inside the street transformer. Their excretions eroded the wires, causing a “bad ground” that sent dangerous, variable voltage surging into our house.
As builders, we focus a lot on the beautiful finishes, but the safety “bones” of your home are what matter most. Here are 3 things every homeowner needs to do TODAY:
1️⃣ Know your breaker box: Do you know where it is and how to shut off the main power? In an electrical emergency, being able to cut the power immediately can save your home. Locate it today and make sure it’s accessible!
2️⃣ Check your smoke detectors: While our surge protector smoked, it wasn’t enough to set off the detectors—which is exactly why you need to test them monthly. If a small smolder turns into a fire while you’re asleep, those detectors are your line of defense. If you don’t have them in every bedroom and main area, get them installed immediately. 3️⃣ Surge Protectors vs. Power Strips: Check your outlets! Many “power strips” are just extra plugs. You need actual surge protectors with a Joule rating. They are designed to “sacrifice” themselves to save your home—and our 6 protectors did exactly that. 🛡️
It’s a small investment of time and money for total peace of mind. Stay safe out there! 🏠✨
