As fall approaches and migratory patterns shift across the country, utility companies face a seasonal risk that’s often underestimated: wildlife-related power outages. Birds, squirrels, and other animals interacting with electrical equipment account for thousands of service disruptions each year. For utilities preparing for fall and winter reliability, now is the time to implement proactive solutions, starting with wildlife guards.
At CMI, we build more than transformers. We build reliability into every component that supports the grid. Our wildlife guards are designed to help utilities reduce outages, protect their infrastructure, and meet growing expectations for environmental responsibility.
Fall Migration Increases the Risk of Outages
During the fall migration season, large populations of birds begin moving through utility corridors, substations, and distribution lines.
This behavior leads to an uptick in animal contact incidents, which can cause flashovers, equipment damage, or complete transformer failure. These outages not only impact customers – they increase repair costs, endanger wildlife, and put pressure on utility crews already preparing for seasonal weather challenges.
Wildlife contact is not only a matter of reliability; it’s a matter of safety. Live equipment exposed to nesting or perching animals can lead to unexpected transformer outages. For utilities focused on system hardening and grid resilience, wildlife protection needs to be part of the fall readiness strategy.
And It Comes at a Cost
Wildlife-related outages are preventable. Without proper guards or barriers in place, utilities risk avoidable disruptions that can affect reliability ratings, regulatory compliance, and public trust. Each year, utilities report tens of thousands of animal-related outages across North America.
Utilities that take steps to proactively address these risks before fall migration see measurable benefits:
- Fewer outages and reduced service interruptions
- Lower equipment replacement and repair costs
- Improved safety for workers and wildlife
- Higher system reliability performance
Preparing Before the Migration Begins
The key to preventing animal-related outages is acting before the season begins. By August, many utility companies are already conducting fall readiness inspections. This is the ideal time to identify substations, transformers, or overhead infrastructure located in high-risk corridors, such as wooded areas, near water, or along known migratory routes.
Utilities should consider working with manufacturers like CMI to assess their current wildlife protection strategy. Retrofitting transformers with guards, installing deterrents, and upgrading equipment enclosures can make a significant difference before peak migration activity.
In addition, maintenance teams should:
- Conduct visual inspections for nests, chew marks, or animal debris
- Replace any damaged guards or missing covers
- Evaluate insulation and barrier systems for potential intrusion points
- Review outage logs for repeat incidents at the same locations
Prevention is more cost-effective than emergency repair. Every hour spent preparing now reduces the chances of reactive maintenance and costly service calls in the coming months.
CMI’s Wildlife Guards: Simple, Smart, and Effective
CMI offers a full range of wildlife guards engineered to protect vulnerable transformer components without compromising performance. Our products are designed with both utilities and the environment in mind:
- Non-conductive materials to prevent animal contact and flashover
- Easy installation on both new and existing transformer units
- Durable, weather-resistant construction to perform through every season
- Cost-effective protection that pays for itself in outage prevention
- RUS Certified for Rural Utilities to receive financial assistance by the USDA
These guards serve as a first line of defense against wildlife interference, especially during high-risk periods like fall migration.
Supporting Utilities Through the Seasons
CMI partners with utilities across the country to provide the transformer components they need to operate safely and reliably all year long. As fall approaches, we’re helping customers assess their exposure to wildlife-related risk and implement affordable protection strategies with fast lead times.
Whether you’re modernizing infrastructure, preparing for weather-related events, or reinforcing existing assets, wildlife guards are a smart investment that deliver value far beyond the cost of installation.
Our team understands the operational challenges that come with seasonal transitions. That’s why we emphasize preventative planning and ongoing collaboration so our customers are never left reacting to avoidable issues. We’re not just here to supply transformers and components. We’re here to help utilities build stronger, more reliable systems.
Get Ahead of the Migration
Fall migration is predictable. Outages don’t have to be. CMI’s wildlife guard solutions help utilities take control of seasonal challenges and ensure that power stays on, even when nature moves in.
Now is the time to prepare. Contact CMI today to learn how our wildlife guard solutions can strengthen your grid, protect your infrastructure, and support a more resilient, environmentally responsible future.
