Chipmunks and Chipmunk Control - Part 9 of 9 - Chipmunk Control Methods

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Please see our Resource Directory for links to retailers who sell many of the Chipmunk Control products mentioned below. The chipmunk is not a protected animal however a few species are approaching this status - please verify the protection status of your target animal with your local authorities prior to engaging in any chipmunk control methods.

Repellants

• The use of Bitrex, Thiram, or ammonium soap to coat seeds, flower bulbs, or plants has also been recognized as a deterrent in some areas. However they must be regularly reapplied and may not be used on plants intended for human consumption.
  
• Predator Odors (Coyote urine, Fox urine, etc.)
  
• Naphthalene flakes (moth ball flakes) are a recognized deterrent, however it must be used in such a large amount that indoors the odor emitted by the flakes may be overwhelming. This method is probably better suited to areas that are not consistently occupied.
  

Toxicants

• There are not currently any registered chipmunk control baits available on the market.
  

Fumigants

• Carbon monoxide from engine exhaust or agricultural cartridges.
  
• Aluminum phosphide
  

Trapping

• Many different types of both live and kill traps are currently available for chipmunk control.
  

Miscellaneous

• Shooting
  
• Professional abatement
  
• Owl box installation
  

Acknowledgment:

• David E. Williams, 1994. Chipmunks: Prevention and control of wildlife damage. State Director. USDA-APHIS Animal Damage Control. Lincoln, Nebraska
  
• University of Michigan Museum of Zoology - Animal Diversity Web
  

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Chipmunks and Chipmunk Control - Part 8 of 9 - Chipmunk Damage Prevention

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Preventative measures should always be taken to protect new crops, vegetable gardens, and plants that are placed into a chipmunk habitat. Similar to the woodchuck, the chipmunk is primarily a surface forager, however unlike the woodchuck, fencing is not an effective deterrent against the chipmunk because it is such an agile climber.

Preventative measures involving exclusion and habitat removal are typically the only measures necessary to prevent any sort of chipmunk problems. Remove piled debris and unkempt shrubbery from areas where chipmunk control is desired. Removal of these items will eliminate concealed areas where the chipmunk may hide or build a burrow.

Use ¼" hardware fabric (wire mesh), or some other sort of barricade, to cover any holes that may allow passage into buildings. All holes should be covered; it is amazing how small of a hole these animals can squeeze through.

In areas where seed planting has become a problem due to chipmunk excavation and consumption, installation of a layer of ¼" hardware fabric over planted seeds is recommended. Place seeds, roll over with fabric, and bury with soil. It is important to extend the hardware fabric 12-inches beyond the planted area on all sides to prevent access from the edge.

Place any source of food: pet, bird, livestock, etc, at least 20 to 30 feet from any structure to eliminate the creation of an ideal food/shelter situation where the chipmunk might find it easy to eat and hide or eat and burrow.

Acknowledgment:

• David E. Williams, 1994. Chipmunks: Prevention and control of wildlife damage. State Director. USDA-APHIS Animal Damage Control. Lincoln, Nebraska
  
• University of Michigan Museum of Zoology - Animal Diversity Web
  

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Chipmunks and Chipmunk Control - Part 7 of 9 - Chipmunk Damage

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The chipmunk is not considered to be the source of any sort of significant personal or agricultural damage. Trouble with these animals will usually arise if they create a burrow near or under a structure or through sporadic "digging up" of landscaping plants or bulbs. Concern is warranted when a great numbers of these animals create burrows near or under a structure, patio, retaining wall, or sidewalk as the voids created by these burrows can cause structural failure.

Some species of chipmunk have been found to carry disease and disease carrying insects. Keeping these animals (or any wild animal) isolated from human and pet populations through the use of preventative measures is always considered a best practice.

A large population of chipmunks may affect forest growth by excessive seed consumption.

Acknowledgment:

• David E. Williams, 1994. Chipmunks: Prevention and control of wildlife damage. State Director. USDA-APHIS Animal Damage Control. Lincoln, Nebraska
  
• University of Michigan Museum of Zoology - Animal Diversity Web
  

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Chipmunks and Chipmunk Control - Part 6 of 9 - Chipmunk Facts

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• Most male chipmunks have nothing to do with the raising of young chipmunks.
  
• Most chipmunks are "restless" hibernators: those who hibernate will awake on mild winter or spring days. Others, who reside at lower elevations where food is plentiful year round and the weather is mild, typically do not hibernate.
  
• The chipmunk is called a "chipmunk" due to the chipping noises this animal makes with its teeth.
  
• It is believed that chipmunks communicate between themselves through a combination of noises, body posturing, and scent emitted through scent glands.
  
• The home range of the majority of chipmunks is believed to be between 2.5 and 3.75 acres.
  
• The red-tailed chipmunk likes to take a dirt bath - at times it will submerge up to half of its body in loose dirt or sand.
  
• The Panamint chipmunk lives in areas of high heat and barren conditions that many other types of chipmunk will avoid.
  
• Many types of chipmunk do not require a source of water due to sufficient absorption of water through food consumption.
  
• Unlike many types of hibernating animals, the chipmunk does not gain excessive weight to sustain itself through the winter.
  
• Young chipmunks have a 30% survival rate.
  
• Most chipmunks will use a burrow and den system for many seasons.
  
• The female chipmunk of a specific species is often larger than the male.
  

Acknowledgment:

• David E. Williams, 1994. Chipmunks: Prevention and control of wildlife damage. State Director. USDA-APHIS Animal Damage Control. Lincoln, Nebraska
  
• University of Michigan Museum of Zoology - Animal Diversity Web
  

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Chipmunks and Chipmunk Control - Part 5 of 9 - What Chipmunks Eat

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The typical chipmunk diet will consist of the grains, fruits, nuts, seeds, plants, and mushrooms specific to its living habitat. However, many chipmunks have also been known to eat insects and some may consume small or young animals and even young birds, lizards, and bird eggs.

All chipmunks that hibernate collect food in their cheek pouches and store it either in chambers designated for this purpose inside their burrow or in food caches that they have buried. The chipmunk requires this food source because unlike most hibernating animals, the chipmunk does not gain excessive weight through the summer and fall months to sustain it through the winter. The chipmunk will periodically wake throughout the winter to consume this food and at times, when the weather is suitable, exit its burrow to explore its surroundings.

The lodgepole chipmunk is known as a notorious stealer of bird eggs.

Acknowledgment:

• David E. Williams, 1994. Chipmunks: Prevention and control of wildlife damage. State Director. USDA-APHIS Animal Damage Control. Lincoln, Nebraska
  
• University of Michigan Museum of Zoology - Animal Diversity Web
  

Chipmunks and Chipmunk Control - Part 4 of 9 - Where Chipmunks Live

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There are nearly as many preferable habitats for the various types of chipmunk as there are differences between them. Which is easily understood considering they inhabit elevations ranging from sea level to 14,000 feet and their corresponding eco-systems. One habitat characteristic that seems to be common among many types of chipmunk is the preference for some sort of rocky outcropping which is used for both burrow creation and shelter. Other chipmunks prefer forested areas, and for a few types, the forest is a requirement for their habitat. Others still, strictly avoid it.

Most chipmunk burrows will be 20 to 30 feet long and have many openings, some of which may be hidden by leaves and debris. The burrow system will typically contain a nesting chamber and several food storage chambers and may be used for many seasons. In the creation of the burrow system, the chipmunk does not leave any apparent dirt mounding near any of its burrow openings; it will carry this dirt away in its cheek pouches and loosely distribute it to help conceal these entrances.

The least chipmunk, Allen's chipmunk, red-tailed chipmunk, long-eared chipmunk, Merriam's chipmunk (the Unita chipmunk and Palmer's chipmunk as well, to a lesser extent) all are prolific climbers and often will construct their nests in a tree high above the ground. Most of the other members of the species' not listed above are only found in a tree when frightened. All chipmunks create their hibernation chambers underground.

Particular preferences for individual species may be found below. Not all species are listed:

• Eastern chipmunk - A ground dweller. The eastern chipmunk has two breeding seasons a year averaging 4 to 5 offspring per pregnancy. This chipmunk will defend a small territory around its burrow.
  
• Least chipmunk - An occasional Tree dweller. The least chipmunk has one litter a year of between 2 and 6 young. The male of this species may help raise the young.
  
• Colorado chipmunk - A ground dweller that may often be seen foraging for food high in trees. This chipmunk can be found at elevations from 6,000 to 8,200 feet. The Colorado chipmunk typically has one litter of 2 to 7 young per year, however, a second litter occasionally may be found in the late fall. The male of this species may help raise the young.
  
• Uinta chipmunk - A tree dweller found at elevations from 6,500 to 11,200 feet. The Unita chipmunk has one litter of 4 to 5 young per year. This chipmunk may occasionally create its nest in an abandoned birds nest.
  
• Lodgepole chipmunk - Another ground dweller that may often be seen foraging for food high in trees. The lodgepole chipmunk will have one litter of 3 to 6 pups per year. This chipmunk can be found at elevations from 4,900 to 11,000 feet. A very shy chipmunk that will rarely be seen or heard.
  
• Sonoma chipmunk - A ground dweller. The Sonoma chipmunk has one litter of 3 to 5 young per year. This chipmunk can be found at elevations from sea level to 6,000 feet. It is generally believed that the members of this species found at lower elevations do not hibernate.
  
• Allen's chipmunk - A tree dweller found at elevations from 500 to 6,000 feet. The Allen's chipmunk has one litter of 3 to 5 young per year.
  
• Red-tailed chipmunk - Another tree dweller. The red-tailed chipmunk has one litter of 3 to 8 young per year.
  
• Long-eared chipmunk - A tree dweller found at elevations from 3,200 to 7,400 feet. The long-eared chipmunk has one litter of 3 to 5 young per year.
  
• Panamint chipmunk - A ground dweller preferring a rocky habitat. The Panamint chipmunk has one litter of 4 to 6 young per year and will be found at elevations between 4,500 and 9,000 feet.
  
• Palmer's chipmunk - Mainly a tree dweller found at elevations from 6,900 to 11,800 feet. The Palmer's chipmunk has one litter of 3 to 6 young per year. This species of chipmunk is extremely aggressive and territorial.
  
• Merriam's chipmunk - A tree and ground dweller found at elevations up to and beyond 8,800 feet. The Merriam's chipmunk has one litter of 3 to 7 young per year.
  
• Cliff chipmunk - Typically a rock outcropping dweller found at elevations from 4,900 to 12,000+ feet. The Cliff chipmunk has one litter of 4 to 6 young per year and is usually active in the early morning and late afternoon. This species of chipmunk is fiercely territorial near its burrow but often shares food sites with other cliff chipmunks.
  
• Gray-collared chipmunk - A ground dweller found at elevations from 6,400 to 11,000+ feet. The gray-collared chipmunk has one litter of 2 to 5 young per year. These animals will often be found around homes and structures.
  
• Gray-footed chipmunk - A ground dweller found at elevations from 5,300 to 11,900 feet. The gray-footed chipmunk has one litter of about 4 young per year.
  
• Yellow-pine chipmunk - A tree and ground dweller found at elevations from 2,000 to 14,000+ feet. The yellow-pine chipmunk has one litter of 3 to 8 young per year.
  
• Alpine chipmunk - A ground dweller found at elevations from 7,500 to 12,500+ feet. The alpine chipmunk has one litter of 4 to 5 young per year.
  

Acknowledgment:

• David E. Williams, 1994. Chipmunks: Prevention and control of wildlife damage. State Director. USDA-APHIS Animal Damage Control. Lincoln, Nebraska
  
• University of Michigan Museum of Zoology - Animal Diversity Web
  

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Chipmunks and Chipmunk Control - Part 3 of 9 - Chipmunk Geography

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• Eastern chipmunk - found in most areas of eastern North America from North Carolina across the center of the gulf bordering states to Louisana, North to central Ontario and northeast to Nova Scotia.
  
• Hopi chipmunk - found in the canyon-lands of eastern Utah, northern Arizona, and western Colorado.
  
• Least chipmunk - found from the Rocky Mountains west to the Sierra Nevada and from northern Arizona and central New Mexico north to northern Canada. The least chipmunk is not found in the majority of the states of Idaho, Washington, or Oregon but is found throughout most of central Canada.
  
• Townsend's chipmunk - found mostly along the costal areas of Oregon, Washington, and southern British Colombia.
  
• Dusky chipmunk - found in California and northern Mexico in a thin band from the San Bernardino & San Jacinto ranges south to Baja California.
  
• Yellow-cheeked chipmunk - found only in a very small costal area of California from the Eel River in Humboldt County to Bodega bay in Sonoma County.
  
• Siskiyou chipmunk - another very small ranging species of chipmunk, the Siskiyou chipmunk can be found in the mountains of northern California and southern Oregon.
  
• Colorado chipmunk - found in northern New Mexico, parts of eastern and northern Utah, and throughout Colorado.
  
• Uinta chipmunk - is found discontinuously distributed throughout the mountainous regions of the Southern Sierra Nevada in California and the mountains of Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming.
  
• Lodgepole chipmunk - found in California throughout the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada range and in the San Jacinto, San Bernardino, and San Gabriel mountains.
  
• Sonoma chipmunk - found on the west coast of California from the San Francisco bay area north to Siskiyou County.
  
• Allen's chipmunk - found on the west coast of California from the Eel River in Humboldt County north to southern Oregon and east across that entire range through the Sierra Nevada and just into Nevada itself.
  
• Red-tailed chipmunk - found in the Rocky Mountains northwest into northeastern Washington State, north along the eastern edge of British Colombia and east to southwestern Alberta.
  
• Long-eared chipmunk - found in California throughout the northern Sierra Nevada and in the Lake Tahoe Basin area of Nevada State.
  
• Panamint chipmunk - The Panamint chipmunk has a very small range between southeastern California and southwestern Nevada.
  
• Palmer's chipmunk - found only in the Spring Mountains west of Las Vegas, Nevada.
  
• Merriam's chipmunk - found throughout central and southern California.
  
• Cliff chipmunk - found in southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
  
• Gray-collared chipmunk - found in central and eastern Arizona and central and southwest New Mexico.
  
• Gray-footed chipmunk - found in the mountains of eastern New Mexico and western Texas.
  
• Yellow-pine chipmunk - found in the northwestern area of the United States and southwestern Canada.
  
• Alpine chipmunk - found exclusively in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of eastern and central California at altitudes of 7,500 to 12,500+ feet.
  

Acknowledgment:

• David E. Williams, 1994. Chipmunks: Prevention and control of wildlife damage. State Director. USDA-APHIS Animal Damage Control. Lincoln, Nebraska
  
• University of Michigan Museum of Zoology - Animal Diversity Web
  

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