Chipmunks often become a nuisance when their extensive burrowing damages structural elements like decks, patios, or home foundations. These small rodents can create complex tunnel systems that are difficult to eliminate, especially when they are drawn to common yard features like bird feeders or gardens. While various commercial traps exist, the “bucket method” is a popular, low-cost, do-it-yourself solution for homeowners experiencing a chipmunk problem.
Constructing and Setting the Bucket Trap
The construction of the standard bucket trap requires a few common items to create an inescapable environment for the chipmunk. You will need a five-gallon plastic bucket, a long piece of wood for a ramp, and black oil sunflower seeds as the primary attractant. The bucket should be filled approximately two-thirds of the way with water, ensuring the water level is deep enough that a chipmunk cannot touch the bottom or jump out once it falls in. The water creates a slick surface that prevents escape, and it is the mechanism by which the animal is contained.
Once the water is set, a layer of the sunflower seeds is spread across the water’s surface until the water is completely covered. This layer of floating seeds creates the illusion of a solid food source, enticing the chipmunk to jump onto what it perceives as a stable platform. For access to the bucket’s rim, a piece of wood, such as a 1×3 or 2×4 that is roughly three to four feet long, is used to form a ramp.
The wood ramp must be positioned to create a gentle incline against the bucket’s side. A steep angle will deter the chipmunk from climbing, so the length should be sufficient to ensure a gradual slope. To secure the ramp and prevent it from slipping, a small nail or screw can be partially driven near the end of the board and hooked over the bucket’s lip. It is important that the ramp extends slightly over the rim, providing a clear path to the floating bait.
Optimizing Trap Placement and Lures
Strategic placement significantly increases the likelihood of a successful capture with the bucket trap. Chipmunks frequently travel along established pathways near areas of cover or food sources, making locations near woodpiles, stone walls, garden edges, or building foundations ideal spots to deploy the trap. Placing the bucket close to known burrow entrances will intercept the animals as they leave or return to their underground homes.
To further encourage the chipmunk to use the ramp, a trail of bait can be laid leading up to the bucket’s edge. Black oil sunflower seeds are a highly effective lure, but other strong attractants include pumpkin seeds, cracked corn, and a dab of peanut butter. Spreading a few seeds at the base of the ramp and lightly coating the ramp with peanut butter, which acts as an adhesive for the seeds, helps guide the animal toward the floating collection of bait.
The trap should be checked at least once daily, or preferably more often, especially during periods of high chipmunk activity, which tend to be warm and sunny days. Chipmunks are diurnal, meaning they are active during the day, so monitoring the trap throughout the afternoon is more effective than only checking in the morning. Maintaining the integrity of the floating seed layer and refreshing the water, as the seeds can become soggy and less appealing over time, will sustain the trap’s effectiveness.
Safety, Ethical Considerations, and Disposal
Before setting any trap, it is responsible practice to understand the safety implications and ethical considerations involved. The bucket trap, especially when filled with water, poses a drowning risk, requiring placement in an area inaccessible to small children, pets, and non-target wildlife like birds or squirrels. Securing the trap in a protected spot helps to mitigate the risk of unintended harm.
The bucket method is often employed as a lethal technique, as the water prevents the chipmunk from escaping and leads to drowning. For individuals preferring a live-catch approach, the bucket can be used without water, but it must be deep enough to contain the animal, and the trap must be checked very frequently to prevent distress or death from exposure. The lethal water method is the most common interpretation of the bucket trap.
It is strongly advised that homeowners investigate local and state ordinances regarding the trapping and disposal of wild animals before deployment. Regulations can vary widely, and in some jurisdictions, relocating nuisance wildlife is illegal, often requiring that trapped animals be euthanized. If a live-catch method is used and relocation is permitted, the animal should be transported ten to fifteen miles away to prevent its immediate return. For lethal traps, sanitary disposal of the deceased animal should be done in accordance with local regulations, often involving burial or double-bagging for trash disposal.