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How to get rid of stuff » Pest Problems » How to Get Rid of Chipmunks
 

How to Get Rid of Chipmunks

August 29th, 2006 by admin
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a chipmunkIt’s hard to think violent thoughts against furry little critters like chipmunks. But when your landscaped garden looks like someones idea of a garden shoot-out, it’s time to get down and dirty. When these furry critters have claimed your garden as their playground and blocked your pipes with their fur balls it’s time to get rid of them. Of course, knowing your enemy will give you lots of advantages. But before waging an all-out chipmunk extermination campaign, here’s the lowdown on your furry foes.

Having Chipmunk Problems?

They may look like tree-living squirrels with their tiny noses, puffed cheeks, and bushy tails, but chipmunks are not baby squirrels. Believe it or not, the two are different but related animals. Chipmunks are ground squirrels; they are the burrowing cousins of the larger tree-climbing species. This, of course, explains the pockmarked look of your garden lot. These furry critters dig and build their homes and shelters underground. This is what sets them apart from their tree-loving relatives, which spend most of their time in trees.

Aside from their choice of real estate and relative smallness, chipmunks differ from their cousins by possessing identifying stripes. Chipmunks are distinguished by two broad black stripes that run from the tops of their heads to their rounded rumps. This is the most telltale sign that the critter chewing your spring flower bulb is a chipmunk. That, and the shrill “chip chip” retort they make when you dash out at them with your newspaper in hand.

Approaches to Chipmunk Control

a chipmunk eating in the parkBefore deciding on how to get rid of chipmunks, it is important to learn their habits. Chipmunks are mighty eaters. They spend their life eating, foraging, and storing food. What is the key to getting rid of chipmunks? The key is finding out what chipmunks eat. Chipmunks eat anything and everything from grass to your pizza crusts. Their main diet usually includes fungi, plants, nuts, grains, seeds, and the occasional insect. If worse comes to worst, chipmunks are also known to catch small birds and small rodents like shrews though they do not actively look for these hardy protein sources; they are content to search the ground for edible finds. Chipmunks are not born to be climbers, but they have been observed climbing roofs, poles, trees, and bird feeders to gather seeds, acorns and nuts.

Aside from food, chipmunks are also wary of very open spaces, which is not surprising since they live underground. They tend to stay within shaded areas even while looking for food. Their burrows are usually built in the shade of solid matter like a tree stump or your porch. In your bid to eradicate chipmunks, these are two weaknesses you should exploit to put an end to your chipmunk problems.

*Reader Tip* Several readers have had success with the "bucket method." Here's the original tip from Jonathan: "You can get a bucket of water and float sunflower seeds at the top. Make a ramp to get to the bucket. It's a foolproof method: the chipmunk cant get out."

Getting Rid Of Chipmunks

a catNow that you know their weaknesses, it’s time to put your knowledge into action. As much as these furry critters wreak havoc in your garden, one can hardly think of shooting them into extinction. There are many other ways to get rid of chipmunks so be creative.

An inexpensive chipmunk control option is to keep a pet. In the urban jungle, cats can be an effective (and fuzzy) weapon against these feisty fur balls. If you’re feeling adventurous, take your pick from badgers, weasels or hawks. These are the natural predators of chipmunks. They stalk their prey in the shade and the poor chipmunk won’t have any idea what happened until it hits the predator’s tummy.

a trapped chipmunkFor a less morbid option, live chipmunk traps are effective elimination tools that are sold in most hardware stores. You can get a couple of comfortable size traps and just add seeds, nuts, oats or whatever your chipmunk fancies. Secure the traps in shaded areas or wherever your enemy frequently hangs out. Patience is not even required because where there is food, chipmunks will come. Once trapped, drive to the far side of town and let the critters out. Better yet, drop them off in the nearest national park.

If these don’t work, just give these fur balls a taste of their own medicine. The trick to getting these chipmunks to leave your place willingly is to limit their food supply. You don’t have to strip your garden bare; just spray pepper solution or hot sauce on your plants and the places where your furry friend stays and surely, they’ll move out.

Still, if these tricks don’t work, your chipmunks are a hardy bunch. Just dial pest control and invest in a professional chipmunk extermination program. Now, that’s a foolproof way to get rid of chipmunks.




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  1. August 30th, 2010 at 3:38 pm    Jim Says:

    I tried the bucket method five different times, and I had no success with it whatsoever! Based on what other people wrote, I was sure that the bucket method was going to be the answer to my chipmunk problems, but no go!

    Maybe my chipmunks are smarter than average. I put sunflower seeds around the bucket and up the ramp. They very deliberately ate all the seeds around the bucket and even up on the ramp, but there wasn’t a jumper in the entire population! I even took pictures of them eating the seeds on the ground and eating the seeds on the ramp and then looking over the edge of the bucket at the bounty of seeds inside, but no chipmunk made the jump.

    What did work for me was the Intruder “Better Rodent Trap.” I bought one at my local hardware store. This particular trap is made in a few different sizes, and I bought the largest one. It’s made of a light gray plastic material, and it’s spring loaded. It’s easy to load and easy to handle. The trip mechanism is very sensitive. The trap comes down with a surprising swiftness and force, and I’m sure you could break a finger in the thing if you’re not careful. It’s a very effective trap for the chipmunks, though. I bait mine with a dab of peanut butter with a sunflower seed stuck in the middle. Just be alert and careful when you’re handling the device after you’ve set it.

    I have discovered chipmunk burrows under my front and back steps (they’re made of poured concrete) and my front sidewalk. I also discovered plenty of chipmunk holes along a retaining wall near my property line. I’ve lived in my place for four years now and never noticed chipmunks until this year.

  2. August 30th, 2010 at 3:28 pm    Jim Says:

    I tried the chipmunk bucket five separate times with no luck. Maybe the chipmunks in my area are smarter than average. I put sunflower seeds around the bucket and up the ramp. They smartly eat the ones all around the bucket and even the ones on the ramp, but not one of them braved the seeds in the bucket. After a couple of days, the seeds in the bucket start to smell bad, so I removed them and put in fresh water and fresh seeds. What DID work for me is getting an Intruder “Better Rodent Trap.” I got one at my local hardware store. It’s a spring-activated trap, but it’s easy to set. There are a few different sizes — the smaller ones are for mice, a little bigger one for mice and rats, and then an even bigger one for “rodents.” It’s made of a gray plastic material, and the place where you put the bait is very sensitive. The trap comes down surprisingly swiftly and surely — I’m sure you can break a finger on this thing if you’re not careful. However, it is easy to set, and if you exercise some moderate care when handling the device, you won’t harm yourself. I baited mine with a dab of peanut butter with a sunflower seed stuck in the middle. I have found chipmunk holes all over the place, especially under my entryway front stairs and back stairs (they’re poured concrete that the chipmunks have burrowed under) and my sidewalks. Then I found plenty more holes by a retaining wall at the edge of my property. Arrgh!

  3. July 28th, 2010 at 1:33 pm    Ed Says:

    Still enjoying the-no-chipmunks-in-my-yard moment after getting 21 of them with mouse trap with pb. I kinda miss them now :) ).

  4. July 10th, 2010 at 3:40 pm    Dan Says:

    Iv’e been using the bucket method for about 4 weeks. Got rid of almost all of them. Took me a few tires to get it right. The water has to be about 8″ below the top. Use a sturdy ramp, and bait around the bucket. I put some seeds on the ramp too. For the ramp, I use a 2×4 and and just prop to the side like a ramp. Nothing fancy… Also if you do get one, you have to change the water and use new seeds. The bucket gets changed every 3 days if none get caught. Placement of the bucket is crucial….I place it in a shady area where they are active. Usually close to the house foundation or shed. A place where you see them run and Leave the bucket alone…If you place it somewhere where your working or going to be at they wont bother with it. I spent 1 week watching them before placing the bucket. Place the bucket and go to work. Thats what I do. It works!!!!!!

  5. July 5th, 2010 at 12:56 pm    Ann Says:

    How far away do you have to take them for them not to return.
    I have gotten 20 in less than a week in a have a heart trap. Put a dab of blue paint on their back before releasing them, and you guessed it today one with the blue paint in the trap. I have been taking them about 3/4 of a mi away. HELP!

  6. July 5th, 2010 at 12:51 pm    Christine Says:

    I got a have a heart trap. Put walnuts in for bait. Have gotten 20 in 5 das. Could they be finding their way back??? Yes it seems so. Before I realeased them I put a dab of blue paint on their back. Today I trapped one with, you guessed it blue paint. How far away do you have to take them??? I released them about 3/4 mi away.

  7. June 28th, 2010 at 9:52 am    victoria Says:

    Dont use regular mouse traps with peanut butter the chipmunks in my house ate it like it was nothing. and one of them got the trap and was on it and it started to run away. gonna try to use the bucket method hofally it works!!! :)

  8. June 24th, 2010 at 1:53 pm    Ed Says:

    I tried water bucket method, didn’t work. Maybe it’s too high from the ground or the edge of the bucket is too narrow for them to stand or walk around or not using the right bucket with right amount of water.

    Then I tried using Rat Traps ($1.97/ea) & Peanut Butter (.99C/jar from .99C Store) and it works like crazy and very inexpensive. I couldn’t even get a break, 8 of them on the first day alone, then 2 on the second day, and 3 more just yesterday. The only thing is you have to keep checking to remove the dead ones and reset the trap so it’s available for next one to join the club.

    My tip is … tie your trap to something (fence or a brick) to prevent from them walking away with it. It’s not the instant kill method. They’re still alive as soon as it snapped and they still can walk away, especially back to their nearest tunnels.

    I keep watching them from a far, and go pick up the whole thing with live one still attached as soon as it snapped. Of course it’s not fun to watch them die, so I drop them in the bucket, covered and leave it there for awhile until they’re dead. Otherwise, they still can struggle and get loose (believe it or not, they’re stronger than we think). It happened to me, that’s why I didn’t want to leave it there on the ground where they have more chances of getting loose.

    I do love animals, but com’on … 13 in 3 days says a lot and wife’s constant complaining … sorry guys, honey gotta do this, do that…

  9. June 24th, 2010 at 1:36 pm    Ed Says:

    I tried water bucket method, didn’t work. Maybe it’s too high from the ground or the edge of the bucket is too narrow for them to stand or walk around or not using the right bucket with right amount of water.

    Then I tried using Rat Traps ($1.97/ea) & Peanut Butter (.99C/jar from .99C Store) and it works like crazy and very inexpensive. I couldn’t even get a break, 8 of them on the first day alone, then 2 on the second day, and 3 more just yesterday. The only thing is you have to keep checking to remove the dead ones and reset the trap so it’s available for next one to join the club.

    My tip is … tie your trap to something (fence or a brick) to prevent from them walking away with it. It’s not the instant kill method. They’re still alive as soon as it snapped and they still can walk away, especially back to their nearest tunnels.

    I keep watching them from a far, and go pick up the whole thing with live one still attached as soon as it snapped. Of course it’s not fun to watch them die, so I drop them in the bucket, covered and leave it there for awhile until they’re dead. Otherwise, they still can struggle and get loose (believe it or not, they’re stronger than we think). It happened to me, that’s why I didn’t want to leave it there on the ground where they have more chances of getting loose.

    I do love animals, but com’on … 13 in 3 days says a lot and wife’s constant complaining … sorry guys, honey gotta do this, do that…

  10. June 18th, 2010 at 3:56 pm    Mary Says:

    The bucket method of ridding your chipmonks really works, I did it a few hours ago and already got one yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! they are digging in all my pots of flowers or whatever is in there, eating the leaves off the beans and peas in my garden. I will do this for as long as it takes. I used peanut butter on the ramp with sunflower seeds and sunflower seed in bucket.

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