The presence of chipmunks around a home can quickly turn from charming to problematic due to their burrowing and foraging habits. The success of any trapping effort relies almost entirely on selecting and deploying the most appealing bait. Chipmunks are naturally wary, which means the bait must be highly attractive to overcome their caution and draw them into a trap. An effective bait strategy involves understanding their natural diet and using that knowledge to present an irresistible food source.
High-Value Food Baits
Chipmunks are drawn to high-energy foods they can easily store for caching. The most successful baits are nuts and seeds. Sunflower seeds, especially the black oil variety, are favored due to their high fat content and easy transportability. Shelled nuts, such as unsalted peanuts or walnuts, also offer a powerful draw because they are nutrient-dense and highly palatable.
The second category of effective baits leverages a strong aroma and sticky texture. Peanut butter is the most popular bait because its potent, oily smell travels well. Its sticky quality prevents the chipmunk from snatching and running, forcing the animal to remain at the bait point and increasing the chances of triggering the trap mechanism. A homemade mixture of peanut butter blended with dry rolled oats or cereal grains creates a similarly aromatic and secure bait.
Certain grains and fruits can serve as excellent secondary attractants, particularly when their natural counterparts are in season. Attractive options include small pieces of corn, raisins, prune slices, and apple chunks, which mimic parts of their wild diet. Sticky or oily baits generally perform better than whole grains because they secure the animal to the trigger plate. The bait should always be fresh and free of human-applied salts or flavorings to maximize its natural appeal.
Bait Preparation and Presentation
The method of preparation and presentation inside the trap is critical. To ensure the chipmunk cannot steal the bait without entering the trap fully, sticky baits like peanut butter should be smeared directly onto the trigger plate or bait holder. If using a solid bait, it should be firmly wired or glued down to the trigger to prevent easy removal. For single-door traps, place the bait at the very back, behind the trigger plate, forcing the animal to step on the mechanism to reach the reward.
“Pre-baiting” helps overcome a chipmunk’s natural wariness. This involves placing small amounts of bait outside the trap entrance and in a trail leading up to it, without setting the mechanism. This conditioning period, lasting two to three days, allows the chipmunk to associate the trap with a safe food source. Once the animal consistently feeds near and inside the trap, the mechanism can be set for capture.
Trap placement should focus on areas of high activity, such as stone walls, fences, building foundations, or burrow entrances. Placing the trap perpendicular to these travel paths forces the chipmunk to run directly into the opening. Handle the trap only while wearing gloves, as human scent can be a deterrent that makes the chipmunk avoid the trap.
Non-Food Attractants and Scents
Supplementing food baits with specialized scents can increase trapping success. Commercial chipmunk lures utilize concentrated musk or strong seed oil scents designed to appeal to the animal’s powerful sense of smell. These products create an intense olfactory signal that can draw chipmunks from a distance, especially where visual access to the trap is limited.
Water can act as a secondary attractant, particularly during dry periods when natural sources are scarce. Placing a small, shallow dish of water near the trap can be an additional enticement. Water’s appeal is driven by need rather than pure foraging instinct.
Many strong scents, such as peppermint, cedarwood, garlic, and vinegar, are known as repellents for chipmunks, not attractants. These are used to deter the animals from gardens or foundations. Therefore, the focus should remain on food-based attractants, using specialized scents only to overcome hesitation.