Chipmunk Control

Quick Information

Chipmunk Control

Most Effective Products

Critter Ridder Animal Repellent
Granular
As low as $17.15
Keith's Pro Tips

"After you've caught the Chipmunk in the live trap, remember to relocate the Chipmunk far away from your structure (at least 5 miles) or hand them over to animal control."

Chipmunk Control: How To Get Rid of Chipmunks

This page is a general Chipmunk control guide. Using the products and methods suggested you will get control of Chipmunks. Follow this guide and use the recommended products and we guarantee 100% control of Chipmunks. Consult your local and state guidelines to see if Chipmunks are a protected species in your location before applying control.

While chipmunks are portrayed in cartoons and TV as cute, fuzzy and squeaky-voiced critters, they can be a destructive nuisance pest to have. Similar to its relative, the squirrel, chipmunks are known for digging burrows and causing structural damage to patios, pools, foundations and retention walls.

Chipmunks reside in all 48 contiguous states of America. Chipmunks are able to thrive outside of their natural habitat of the woods because homes and gardens provide them with an ample amount of options when it comes to food.

Chipmunks can be a nightmare for gardeners with their habit of digging flower bulbs, emptying bird feeders of seed, and stealing pet food. Chipmunks also move quite fast and their populations can get out of control if left unchecked.

As irritating as these creatures can be, they can be eradicated from your property with the right approach and the right control products which we have in stock here at Solutions Pest and Lawn. Keep reading our Chipmunk control guide below to learn how you can get rid of Chipmunks quickly and affordably.

Identification

Chipmunk Isolated

Chipmunks can often be confused for Squirrels, which is why their identification is so pivotal for control. Before you can apply the treatment, you need to make absolutely sure that you’re dealing with Chipmunks and not another kind of animal. Below you can find some common characteristics of Chipmunks.

  • Chipmunks can range in size from 3 to 8 inches, depending on the species.
  • They have four legs and normally weigh less than one pound.
  • They have a fuzzy tail that can measure anywhere between 3 to 4 inches in length.
  • They have stripes on their body (even on their face) and tail that can vary in color depending on the species.
  • Chipmunks are most commonly found on the ground as opposed to squirrels who can be seen in high altitudes, like on trees or powerlines.

Use the image and description above to aid you in properly identifying Chipmunks. If you are not totally sure, contact us and one of our representatives will assist you with proper identification of your nuisance pest.

Inspection

Chipmunk in Burrow

Once you have confirmed that you have Chipmunks on your property, you need to inspect your yard for Chipmunk activity. This step is extremely important because you need to know the areas where they harbor in order to know where to apply treatment. During the inspection, you will search for these “hotspots” where Chipmunks are found.

Where To Inspect

Chipmunks are commonly found in woody areas with a lot of places to harbor. This means in areas that provide them with logs, rocks, and brush, and protection from predators like hawks.

Inspect your yard, in flower beds, gardens, trees, near tree stumps, under yard debris, under woodpiles, under logs, under rocks, in small openings in your yard. Inside your home search in cracks and crevices, in attics, and in basements.

What To Look For

You’re looking for Chipmunk activity. This includes looking for their burrows (small holes that have been dug in your yard) inside your yard or near your property or close to bird feeders especially if they have been tampered with, and search for uprooted flowers or crops.

You should also look for Chipmunk damage. Chipmunks can cause structural damage to patios, pools, porches, foundations, and retention walls. They can also destroy gardens by eating flower bulbs, stealing food from bird feeders, and even pet food that is left outside. If they get inside a home or structure they can cause extensive structural damage.

Treatment

Once you have confirmed Chipmunk activity, it is time to begin treatment. Remember to read all product labels and follow the application instructions on these labels, and stay safe by wearing personal protective equipment (PPE).

To get rid of Chipmunks naturally, we recommend two options: the Solutions Humane Live Trap and Critter Ridder. The Solutions Humane Live Trap will easily allow you to safely trap Chipmunks without harming them and relocate them. Critter Ridder is a combination of organic and natural ingredients that will irritate Chipmunks and triggers avoidance behaviors that will drive them away.

Step 1 - Remove Food Sources & Potential Shelter

Wood Pile

You want the chipmunk to enter the live trap with the help of bait. You also want to make sure they do not leave the basement, garage, attic, or yard and enter your home. Because of this, competing food sources need to be removed.

Be sure to thoroughly clean your property. Remove any yard debris, like fallen branches or wood piles, since chipmunks may use these items for shelter. Keep your trash sealed in trash bags and stored outside in bins with a tight lid. Other food sources such as pet food should be stored inside.

Step 2 - Set Up the Solutions Humane Live Trap

havahart chipmunks treatment

The Solutions Humane live is easy to use and is our top recommendation if you want a natural, humane option to remove Chipmunks.

To use, release the trigger mechanism, open the door and set the trap. Once the trap has been set you’ll need to set bait inside. For Chipmunks, we recommend using a combination of peanut butter, fruits, and cereal grains, or even flower bulbs.

Set the trap close to “hot spots” you identified and close to their burrows. Set the traps during the day when they are most active.  Be sure to place your trap on an even surface. A chipmunk might push or knock over the trap in order to reach the bait inside. Place a brick or weight on top of the trap to avoid this.

Once the Chipmunk is caught, hand them over to animal control or release back into the wild at least 5 miles away from your property.

Step 2: Apply Critter Ridder Repellent

Spreading Critter Ridder

Critter Ridder is an additional treatment measure.

Simply sprinkle around the perimeter of your property and in flower beds, near trees, and their burrows, and areas where their activity has been most prevalent. The 22-ounce bottle will treat 3,500 square feet. Make sure to apply it 2 times per week for 2 weeks.

Prevention

yard debris chipmunks

After you have captured or warded off Chipmunks from your property, you need to make sure they don't return. No treatment plan is finished until changes to the environment and mechanical means are enacted to completely control and prevent Chipmunks from returning.

  • Start by fixing or replacing broken fences where they are entering the structure. Seal and close off any crack, crevices, or opening in the foundation of your structure and in the walls of your structure.
  • Remove clutter as much as possible from basements, garages and other indoor storage spaces. Any potential food or water sources, especially pet food, should be properly sealed in a container and stored indoors.
  • Use caulk, copper mesh, or pest control foam to seal and close off these openings. Pick up yard debris, leaf litter, woodpiles, logs, rocks, and general clutter from your property. Get rid of bird feeders or put them far away from your structure to prevent Chipmunks from coming close to your property.
  • And finally, reapply Critter Ridder periodically to keep Chipmunks and many animals off your property.

Key Takeaways

What Are Chipmunks?

  • Chipmunks are a destructive pest known for damaging gardens and yards via their feeding habits.
  • Chipmunks are small creatures with a great sense of smell. When they have infiltrated indoors such as in basements and garages, these tiny creatures can cause severe damage to your structure or wiring. 

How To Get Rid of Chipmunks Indoors and Outdoors

  • We recommend naturally controlling Chipmunks with the use of our Solutions Humane Live Trap and applications of Critter Ridder repellent.
  • Bait the live trap with sunflower seeds or peanut butter, making sure it is placed behind the trigger plate of the trap.

Preventing Chipmunk Reinfestation

    • Prevent chipmunks from entering your basement or property again by removing any potential food sources and trash, as well as sealing any cracks and crevices with Stuf-Fit Copper Mesh and/or caulk.
    • Apply Critter Ritter preventatively to keep Chipmunks off your property.
    1. Size:
      SOLUTIONS
      Solutions Humane Live Animal Trap
      $33.98 - $95.98
    2. Size:
      WOODSTREAM
      Critter Ridder Animal Repellent
      $17.15 - $39.99
    3. Size:
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