Chipmunks are small, rodent-like creatures that are commonly found in North America. They are known for their distinctive stripes and playful behavior, but they can also become a nuisance when they start to invade your backyard or garden. In this blog post, we will discuss how to get rid of chipmunks, including safety considerations and tips for effective removal.
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What is a Chipmunk?
Chipmunks are small, rodent-like creatures that belong to the family Sciuridae, which also includes squirrels and groundhogs. They are typically between 6 to 10 inches in length and weigh around 3 to 4 ounces. Chipmunks are known for their distinctive stripes, which run down their back and sides. They are also known for their playful behavior and are commonly found in wooded areas, gardens, and residential areas.
What Do Chipmunks Eat?
Chipmunks are omnivores and their diet consists of a variety of food sources. They are known to eat both plants and animals, and their diet changes depending on the season. Some of the main food sources that chipmunks consume include:
- Seeds: including sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and corn kernels. They are also known to eat the seeds of wildflowers and other plants.
- Nuts: including acorns, hickory nuts, and walnuts. They are also known to eat the nuts of trees such as hazelnuts and beechnuts.
- Berries: including blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries. They are also known to eat the berries of wild plants, such as elderberries and wild strawberries.
- Fruits: including apples, pears, and plums. They are also known to eat the fruits of wild plants, such as wild grapes and mulberries.
- Insects: including beetles, caterpillars, and grasshoppers. They are also known to eat the larvae of insects, such as caterpillars and beetles.
- Small invertebrates: such as snails and slugs.
- Fungi: including mushrooms and puffballs.
- Roots: such as carrots, potatoes, and bulbs.
- Bulbs: such as daffodils, tulips, and crocus.
It’s important to note that chipmunks are opportunistic feeders and will eat whatever food is available to them. They are also known to store food in their cheeks and burrows for later use. This behavior can lead to damage in gardens and lawns as they dig holes to bury food. Also, their diet may vary depending on the region and the availability of food sources.
Chipmunks are also known to store food in their cheeks and burrows for later use. This behavior can lead to damage in gardens and lawns as they dig holes to bury food.
What Attracts Chipmunks?
Chipmunks are attracted to areas that provide food, water, and shelter. Some common attractants include:
- gardens and flowerbeds
- bird feeders
- compost piles
- pet food dishes
- fruit trees
- water sources
- wood piles
- piles of debris
- abandoned buildings
It’s important to address these attractants to prevent chipmunks from invading your property.
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Humane Chipmunk Live Trap | Critter Blend Chipmunk Food |
Bonide Chipmunk Repellent | Grandpa Gus’s Extra Repellent Spray |
How to Get Rid of Chipmunks
Chipmunks can be removed from your property in a variety of ways, including:
- Trapping: Chipmunks can be trapped using live traps, which are designed to catch the animal without harming it. Once caught, the chipmunk can be relocated to a more suitable location.
- Repellents: There are a variety of repellents available that can be used to deter chipmunks from entering your property. These include granular repellents, sprays, and electronic repellents.
- Fencing: Chipmunks can be prevented from entering your property by installing a fence around your garden or lawn.
- Habitat modification: Chipmunks are attracted to areas that provide food, water, and shelter. By removing these attractants, you can make your property less desirable to chipmunks.
- Exclusion: Chipmunks can be excluded from your property by sealing entry points, such as gaps in foundations, vents, and window wells.
Tips for Getting Rid of Chipmunks
- Address attractants: Remove food sources and shelter that may be attracting chipmunks to your property.
- Use live traps: Live traps are an effective and humane way to remove chipmunks from your property.
- Seal entry points: Seal gaps and holes in foundations, vents, and window wells to prevent chipmunks from entering your property.
- Use repellents: Repellents can be used to deter chipmunks from entering your property. These include granular repellents, sprays, and electronic repellents.
- Maintain your property: Keep your property clean and well-maintained. This includes removing debris, trimming overgrown vegetation, and keeping wood piles away from buildings.
Safety Considerations When Trying to Get Rid of Chipmunks
When trying to get rid of chipmunks, it’s important to keep safety in mind. Chipmunks are wild animals and can carry diseases and parasites that can be harmful to humans. Additionally, chipmunks can also carry fleas and ticks which can also be dangerous. Therefore, it’s important to take precautions when handling chipmunks or their droppings. Here are some safety considerations to keep in mind when trying to get rid of chipmunks:
- Wear gloves: When handling chipmunks or their droppings, it’s important to wear gloves to protect yourself from any diseases or parasites they may carry.
- Wash your hands: After handling chipmunks or their droppings, it’s important to wash your hands thoroughly to remove any bacteria or viruses that may be present.
- Avoid contact with chipmunk urine and feces: Chipmunk urine and feces can contain bacteria and viruses that can be harmful to humans. It’s important to avoid contact with these materials whenever possible.
- Use traps and repellents as directed: When using traps or repellents to get rid of chipmunks, it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and precautions to ensure safety.
- Keep pets away from chipmunks: Chipmunks can carry diseases and parasites that can be harmful to pets. It’s important to keep pets away from chipmunks and their droppings to protect their health.
- Seek professional help: If you are unsure about how to safely remove chipmunks from your property, it’s best to seek professional help from a wildlife control expert.
Note: Chipmunks are wild animals that can carry diseases and parasites that can be harmful to humans. Therefore, it’s important to take precautions when handling chipmunks or their droppings to ensure safety. By following these safety considerations, you can effectively get rid of chipmunks while keeping yourself and your loved ones safe.
5 Facts About Chipmunks
- Chipmunks are commonly found in wooded areas, gardens, and residential areas in North America.
- Chipmunks are omnivores: They eat a variety of food sources, including seeds, nuts, berries, fruits, insects, small invertebrates, fungi, roots, and bulbs.
- Chipmunks have distinctive stripes that run down their back and sides.
- Chipmunks are known for their playful behavior and are commonly seen scampering around in gardens and wooded areas.
- Chipmunks can carry diseases and parasites, so it’s important to take precautions when handling them or their droppings.
(Video) Keeping Chipmunks Out of The Garden
FAQs About Chipmunks
Are Chipmunks Friendly to Humans?
Chipmunks are generally not considered to be friendly to humans. They are wild animals and may be afraid of humans or view them as a threat. However, some people may be able to tame chipmunks and keep them as pets.
Are Chipmunks Destructive?
Chipmunks can be destructive in gardens, as they are known to dig in gardens and eat fruits, vegetables, and flowers. They may also burrow under foundations and decks, causing structural damage.
Where do Chipmunks Make Their Nests?
Chipmunks make their nests in burrows underground. They will also make nests in trees, rock crevices, and other natural cavities.
Do Coffee Grounds Keep Chipmunks Away?
Some people believe that coffee grounds can keep chipmunks away because of their strong smell. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this claim. It’s better to use other methods to keep chipmunks away such as fencing, repellent, and trapping.
In conclusion, chipmunks can become a nuisance when they start to invade your backyard or garden. To get rid of chipmunks, it’s important to address attractants, use live traps, seal entry points, use repellents, and maintain your property. Safety should also be a priority when trying to remove chipmunks from your property. By following these tips and considering the facts about chipmunks, you can effectively get rid of these creatures and keep your property chipmunk-free.
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