When facing a chipmunk problem, many people consider using a common mouse trap due to its accessibility. However, chipmunks are noticeably larger than house mice. Chipmunks typically measure 5 to 6 inches in body length, plus a 3 to 4-inch tail, and weigh between 2 and 5 ounces, while a standard house mouse averages only 3 to 4 inches long. This substantial size difference raises questions about the effectiveness of mouse traps. This article examines why traps designed for smaller house mice are generally unsuitable for chipmunks and presents effective and responsible pest control options for managing these rodents.
Why Standard Mouse Traps Are Ineffective or Inhumane
The mechanical limitations of a standard snap trap designed for a house mouse make it highly ineffective for a chipmunk. The chipmunk’s larger size and greater strength mean the spring-loaded bar often fails to deliver a clean, instant kill. Instead, the trap frequently causes severe but non-lethal injuries, resulting in a prolonged and inhumane death.
The trigger plate on a mouse snap trap is also too small for the chipmunk’s typical stride. The animal may step over the mechanism or only partially trigger it. This often leads to the trap snapping on the chipmunk’s extremity rather than the head or neck, which is necessary for a quick end. The result is a badly injured animal that may escape the trap only to die slowly elsewhere.
Glue traps are another common mouse control product that proves both ineffective and cruel when used for chipmunks. Chipmunks are strong enough that they often do not become fully immobilized, instead dragging the sticky board away. This leaves the animal to suffer from exhaustion, dehydration, or starvation over several days. Health authorities also advise against using glue traps because the struggling animals often urinate and defecate, potentially increasing the risk of human exposure to pathogens like hantavirus.
Recommended Traps Designed for Chipmunks
Reliable control methods involve traps specifically sized for a chipmunk or a comparable small rodent, such as a rat. For lethal trapping, use a rat-sized snap trap. This trap offers a larger trigger plate and a more powerful spring mechanism than a mouse trap. These traps have the necessary force and spread to ensure a humane and immediate end when placed correctly along the chipmunk’s path.
Alternatively, live traps offer a catch-and-release option often preferred by homeowners. These small, cage-style traps, such as those made by Havahart, typically measure around 16 to 18 inches long and capture the animal unharmed. The chipmunk enters the trap, steps on a trigger plate, and the door springs shut behind it.
Using a live trap requires checking the device frequently to reduce the stress and risk of dehydration for the captured animal. Once captured, the chipmunk must be relocated to a suitable, distant natural area, typically at least one mile away from the capture site. Confirm any state or local regulations concerning the relocation of wildlife before releasing the animal, as laws vary significantly.
Chipmunk-Specific Baiting and Placement Strategies
Effective chipmunk trapping depends on selecting the correct attractant and placing the trap strategically. Chipmunks are primarily drawn to seeds, nuts, and grains, making items like sunflower seeds, unshelled peanuts, and cracked corn effective baits. A small amount of peanut butter smeared on the trigger mechanism works well because its stickiness prevents the chipmunk from carrying the bait away.
Trap placement should focus on the chipmunk’s established travel routes and active areas, as these rodents tend to follow the same paths. Ideal locations are along foundations, retaining walls, fences, or near woodpiles, which offer cover and security. Traps should be positioned perpendicular to these travel paths, forcing the chipmunk to step directly onto the trigger plate.
Securing the trap is important, especially when using kill traps or lightweight live traps. Chipmunks can be strong and may drag a loose trap away, potentially hiding it under dense brush or within a burrow. Anchoring the trap with a stake or a heavy object prevents this movement, ensuring that a sprung trap remains in place and can be easily retrieved.