Chipmunks are small, ground-dwelling rodents recognized by the stripes running along their backs and sides. These diurnal animals become a nuisance when their natural behaviors conflict with human interests. Their extensive burrowing can cause structural damage to patios, retaining walls, and building foundations. They also frequently consume garden produce, flower bulbs, and seeds, leading homeowners to seek removal methods.
Legal Status and Safety Risks
Before attempting any control method, understand the regulatory landscape. Chipmunks are not protected under federal law, but state and local regulations vary considerably. Most jurisdictions permit a landowner to capture or kill them when they are actively causing property damage, but some states require a special permit to manage non-game animals. It is prudent to check local wildlife codes to confirm legal control options for your specific area.
Chemical rodenticides present danger to the surrounding environment, including pets and non-target wildlife. These toxic baits, often formulated with attractants like peanut butter or grains, pose a high risk of accidental ingestion by young children. Furthermore, predators and scavengers, such as owls, hawks, and domestic cats, can suffer secondary poisoning by consuming a chipmunk that has ingested the bait. The compounds in these poisons can cause severe symptoms, including neurological damage or uncontrolled internal bleeding.
Handling traps or deceased animals carries a risk of injury or disease exposure. Chipmunks are susceptible to various diseases, so direct contact should be avoided by wearing protective gloves. Any control method employed must prioritize the safety of residents, pets, and beneficial local fauna.
Lethal Control Methods
Trapping is the most practical and effective way to lethally remove chipmunks. The most common tool is the rat-sized snap trap, which is designed to kill instantly upon activation. Place these traps strategically in areas of high activity, such as near burrow entrances or along established travel paths like foundation edges or retaining walls.
To increase success, place traps perpendicular to the chipmunk’s runway or in pairs with the trigger ends facing away from each other. Effective baits include sunflower seeds, nut meats, or peanut butter, which should be secured firmly to the trigger. Pre-baiting is recommended: leave the trap baited but unset for two to three days to allow the chipmunk to become comfortable feeding from the device.
Conceal traps under a board or a box with small openings to prevent non-target animals, such as songbirds, from accessing the bait and the mechanism. Live-catch cage traps are available, but they require the trapper to humanely euthanize the captured animal if relocation is not an option. No commercially available toxic baits are specifically labeled for chipmunk control, and their use is discouraged due to risks to children and wildlife.
Non-Lethal Removal and Exclusion
Non-lethal management focuses on excluding chipmunks from vulnerable areas and modifying the environment to make it less appealing. Physical exclusion provides the most lasting solution, typically involving galvanized hardware cloth with a 1/4-inch mesh size. This small mesh prevents the entry of small rodents and should be used to seal openings in foundations or around utility lines.
To protect garden beds and foundations from burrowing, exclusion barriers must be installed deep into the ground. A 1/4-inch hardware cloth barrier should be buried 6 to 12 inches deep and extend at least 2.5 feet above ground. Also, remove ground cover, debris, and woodpiles stacked against the house, as these provide cover for burrow entrances.
Habitat modification involves eliminating readily available food sources. Bird feeders are a significant attractant; relocate them at least 15 to 30 feet away from structures, and clean up ground-spilled seed regularly. Live-trapping uses small wire-mesh cage traps, allowing for removal without killing the animal. These traps, baited with sunflower seeds or nut meats, are placed along known travel routes.
Relocation of captured chipmunks is a complex issue, as many states prohibit the transport of nuisance wildlife. Relocating a chipmunk to an unfamiliar area often results in its death due to stress, lack of shelter, or competition. If relocation is permitted, the animal should be released at least one to three miles away to prevent its return, and the release site must be on private land with the owner’s explicit permission. Chemical deterrents, such as capsaicin products or naphthalene flakes, are not reliable for long-term control because their effectiveness is limited and requires frequent reapplication.