The Eastern Chipmunk is a small, striped rodent commonly found across eastern North America. These animals are active during the day, spending much of their time foraging on the ground or within their extensive subterranean tunnel systems. While their energetic movements may seem harmless, their natural habits, particularly burrowing and hoarding, cause specific and measurable property damage.
Impacts on Gardens and Plant Life
Chipmunks’ foraging activity is directed toward garden and landscape plantings. Their diet includes seeds, fruits, berries, and nuts, leading them to consume newly planted seeds and tender seedlings before they establish themselves. This feeding habit can devastate annual vegetable plots or newly established flower beds.
They are particularly fond of certain flower bulbs, which they excavate from the soil and consume or relocate to their underground food caches. Plantings such as tulips, lilies, and crocuses are often targeted, resulting in the abrupt disappearance of spring flowers or the failure of the bulbs to sprout. Chipmunks also readily eat ripening produce, including strawberries and tomatoes, often taking only a few bites from each item before moving on.
The constant foraging also creates aesthetic and physical damage to the landscape surface. Chipmunks scatter mulching materials as they dig, disturbing the ground cover and creating small, inconspicuous holes roughly two to three inches in diameter. These small excavations disrupt the soil structure and uproot smaller plants.
Structural Instability Caused by Burrowing
The most concerning damage caused by chipmunks stems from their complex burrow systems, which compromise the integrity of man-made structures. A single chipmunk burrow can extend up to 30 feet in length and reach depths of three feet underground. The extensive removal of soil during excavation creates subterranean voids beneath hard surfaces.
These voids can undermine the supporting substrate of patios, concrete slabs, walkways, and porch steps. As the soil under these structures is removed, the ground loses its ability to bear weight, leading to settling, shifting, and the eventual development of cracks in the masonry or concrete. Chipmunks often dig their tunnels along linear structures like foundations and retaining walls because these areas offer protective cover and stable digging conditions.
When burrows are dug alongside a home’s foundation, the displaced soil can create a pathway for water. Instead of draining away from the structure, rainwater and runoff are channeled into the newly created tunnels, which can lead to water accumulation near the base of the foundation. This altered drainage exacerbates soil erosion and increases the potential for water intrusion into basements or crawl spaces.
Risks to Interior Spaces and Utilities
Chipmunks typically prefer to remain outdoors, but they can occasionally gain access to interior or concealed spaces, which introduces a different set of property risks. They may enter basements, garages, or sheds through small openings, such as foundation cracks, open vents, or gaps around utility lines. Once inside, their rodent habits present problems related to gnawing and contamination.
Like all rodents, chipmunks possess continuously growing incisors, which they must wear down by chewing on various materials. This behavior can lead to gnawing damage on low-lying electrical wiring or plastic piping. They may also chew on insulation materials found in wall voids or attics, shredding it to create nesting material.
When insulation is shredded or compressed, its resistance to heat flow is significantly reduced, which can affect a home’s energy efficiency. Furthermore, chipmunks contaminate stored materials and surfaces with their feces and urine. This contamination creates sanitary issues and can also spoil items stored in sheds or accessible areas of the home.