Chipmunks are small, striped rodents commonly found in North America. While charming, they can become a significant nuisance for homeowners. These ground-dwelling creatures, particularly the Eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus), create extensive burrow systems that can undermine patios, retaining walls, and concrete foundations. Their constant foraging leads them to consume flower bulbs, garden seeds, and stored food sources, prompting many to seek effective control methods. Addressing a chipmunk problem requires understanding their habits, the legal framework governing removal, and efficient management techniques.
Understanding the Legal Status of Chipmunks
The first step in controlling chipmunks is determining their legal classification, as regulations vary widely across jurisdictions. Chipmunks are not generally protected under federal law. Many states and municipalities classify them as “unprotected” or “nuisance wildlife,” which often permits a homeowner to “take” the animal—including capture and lethal control—when it is actively causing property damage.
Check with your state’s Department of Fish and Wildlife or local authorities. Some areas require a permit even for the lethal removal of non-game species, while others strictly prohibit any form of take, especially if protected chipmunk species are present. Furthermore, the specific method of removal, such as the use of certain poisons or firearms, may be illegal regardless of the animal’s status.
Non-Lethal Removal and Exclusion Techniques
Exclusion is the most effective long-term, non-lethal strategy, focusing on blocking access points to vulnerable areas like decks, porches, and foundations. Chipmunks can squeeze through small openings, so all gaps and cracks greater than one inch should be sealed using concrete, caulk, or copper mesh. For areas under sheds or decks, install a barrier of galvanized hardware cloth with a 1/4-inch mesh size.
This wire mesh barrier must be buried at least six to twelve inches deep into the soil to prevent digging underneath. The bottom edge of the buried mesh should be bent outward into an “L” shape, extending horizontally away from the structure for six inches. This design effectively deters burrowing attempts and is often the most cost-effective solution when dealing with high chipmunk populations over time.
Live trapping offers a method to physically remove chipmunks, typically using small cage traps between 10 and 20 inches in length. Effective baits include unshelled peanuts, sunflower seeds, or a smear of peanut butter placed behind the trip plate. Traps should be placed along known travel paths, such as near burrow entrances or along fences, and checked frequently to prevent the captured animal from undue stress.
Relocation of captured chipmunks is highly discouraged and often illegal. Transporting and releasing nuisance wildlife is frequently prohibited by state regulations to prevent the spread of disease. Furthermore, relocation can cause the animal to die from stress or lack of familiarity with a new habitat. If relocation is permitted, it is generally recommended to move the animal at least three to five miles away, provided you have the landowner’s permission for the release site.
Options for Lethal Control
Lethal control is generally achieved using mechanical snap traps, which are considered the most efficient and humane method for immediate removal. Rat-sized snap traps are recommended over smaller mouse traps due to their larger striking area and greater killing power. The traps should be baited with a sticky material like peanut butter mixed with oatmeal or seeds and placed directly near burrow openings or along runways.
To mitigate the risk of harming non-target animals, snap traps must be set inside a protective covering, such as an inverted box with small access holes, or concealed beneath a board leaning against a wall. This technique ensures that pets or birds cannot easily reach the trigger mechanism. While effective, managing new chipmunks migrating into the vacated territory requires a consistent trapping program.
The use of poisons, specifically rodenticides, is strongly discouraged due to severe environmental and safety risks. There are typically no toxic baits registered specifically for chipmunks, making their use illegal. More significantly, the consumption of poisoned chipmunks can lead to secondary poisoning in predators and scavengers, including domestic pets, owls, hawks, and foxes.
Second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) are particularly hazardous because they remain in the chipmunk’s tissue for a long time. This increases the risk of a toxic dose for any animal that preys upon or scavenges the body, making them dangerous to the local ecosystem. Shooting is a method only viable in rural areas where local ordinances permit the discharge of firearms, typically a small-caliber rifle or air rifle. This method requires strict adherence to all safety laws, including distance restrictions from occupied dwellings and public roads.
Preventing Future Infestations
Long-term management focuses on eliminating the food and shelter sources that originally attracted the chipmunks. Bird feeders are a primary attractant and should be placed on smooth, metal poles at least 15 to 30 feet away from structures. Utilizing catch trays beneath feeders helps prevent seed from spilling onto the ground, removing a readily available food source.
Homeowners should also:
- Switch to less appealing seed varieties, such as Nyjer or safflower, which chipmunks find less desirable than sunflower seeds.
- Secure all stored food, including pet food and birdseed, in metal or thick plastic, rodent-proof containers with tight-fitting lids.
- Regularly pick up fallen fruit, nuts, or berries from the yard to limit foraging opportunities.
Habitat modification involves removing or reducing the protective cover chipmunks use to hide from predators and conceal their burrows. Clear any piles of wood, debris, or rock stacks away from the foundation. Trimming dense ground cover and shrubs away from the house removes the continuous, covered travel corridors chipmunks prefer.