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How to get rid of chipmunks???

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116K views 26 replies 21 participants last post by  LIMEY  
#1 ·
I must have a city of chipmunks. They chew up plants, dig holes in my lawn and flower beds, tear up my bird feeders, etc. I've never seen so many.
Outside of using a firearm, What are my options for terminating them? Anyone else had problems with these?
Thank you
 
#3 ·
Take a 5 gallon bucket and fill it with 4 gallons of water. Dump in a bunch of sunflower seeds until you can't see any water. Take a piece of wood and make a ramp for them to the top of the bucket so they can jump in and get the seeds.

I also had success with Bonide Mole Max. Grab a few bags depending on the coverage you need. I've had success with this keeping 'monks off my lawn.
 
#5 ·
I had a ton of them last year. I bought one of these:
https://www.amazon.com/Havahart-1025-Small-2-Door-Animal/dp/B000BQQMJQ/

I caught them and brought them to a state park on the other side of a highway. The secret was to put the bait (i used cheerios) on the ground and then place the trap on top of them. Then scatter some more in and around it. They jump around trying to get the stuff under the trap and set it off. When I just placed the bait inside, it kept getting stolen.
 
#6 ·
I forgot something in my reply. I have zip tied one end on trap permanently shut. I put the bait at the permanently shut end. When I give the munks swimming lessons, the permanently shut end goes in last. Otherwise, they can push through the end, grab the side of the bucket, and escape. I know, because it happened to me.
 
#7 ·
I've used the rat zapper with great success. 4 AA batteries and a handful of trail mix or whatever sprinkled inside. The electrified kill plate is located in the back. Clean up is a breeze. Just don't get it wet.

https://www.amazon.com/Rat-Zapper-Classic-Trap-Disposal/dp/B002665ZTC?crid=2KRINR62EQFSL&keywords=rat+zapper&qid=1532176577&sprefix=rat+za&sr=1-3&ref=mp_s_a_1_3

Chipmunks are actually protected in Pennsylvania unless they're "causing or about to cause damage" which is all the time so you know......
 
#8 ·
I have chipmunks too but they don't really bother me outside of the holes in my beds. I don't have as many as I used to though due to the stray cats I have in the area. I found two dead ones in the last couple weeks but not sure if cats killed them and just left them or if they gorged themselves on safflower seeds that fell from bird feeder as they were bigger than average chipmunk.
 
#9 ·
jbaav said:
I have used a small box trap (live trap) with good success. A very small amount of bird seed is used as bait. Once they are caught I submerge the whole trap in a 7.5 gallon bucket of water for about a minute. Its not enjoyable, but it is effective. I would often catch several a day. The amount of damage they can do is crazy.
That is unbelievably heartless.
 
#11 ·
SNOWBOB11 said:
jbaav said:
I have used a small box trap (live trap) with good success. A very small amount of bird seed is used as bait. Once they are caught I submerge the whole trap in a 7.5 gallon bucket of water for about a minute. Its not enjoyable, but it is effective. I would often catch several a day. The amount of damage they can do is crazy.
That is unbelievably heartless.
I've used a live trap to move animals further away, but yeah, I couldn't drown them, that's for sure.
 
#12 ·
dfw_pilot said:
SNOWBOB11 said:
jbaav said:
I have used a small box trap (live trap) with good success. A very small amount of bird seed is used as bait. Once they are caught I submerge the whole trap in a 7.5 gallon bucket of water for about a minute. Its not enjoyable, but it is effective. I would often catch several a day. The amount of damage they can do is crazy.
That is unbelievably heartless.
I've used a live trap to move animals further away, but yeah, I couldn't drown them, that's for sure.
Perhaps I should explain my situation further.

Several years ago, a couple of my neighbors and I became what I would call infested with chipmunks. We would see dozens each day. They would constantly make holes, dig in flower pots, chew the wood trim on our homes, etc. One neighbor had to have his sidewalk and front porch raised at great expense due to undermining.

I live in very populated area. It is not practical time wise to move live caught chipmunks to a new home. I could take them to a park, but they would likely end up in someone else's yard and as someone else's problem. We tried electronic buzzers, repelling scents, etc. None of them worked.

Poison was not an option, because I didn't want kids or pets accidentally getting poisoned as well. Rat or mouse traps can also catch birds or hurt small pets.

The solution I outlined above worked, and worked pretty quickly. Yes, it is unfortunate, not enjoyable, and no fun. Property damage isn't either.

Thankfully, our neighborhood chipmunk population has returned to a more reasonable number. I see them in my yard now and again, but they are no longer creating unacceptable damage. I'm happy to live with a reasonable number of them just not be infested with them.
 
#13 ·
SpiveyJr said:
Take a 5 gallon bucket and fill it with 4 gallons of water. Dump in a bunch of sunflower seeds until you can't see any water. Take a piece of wood and make a ramp for them to the top of the bucket so they can jump in and get the seeds.

I also had suc
This. Absolutely this.

I used to have 30+ chipmunks exploring my 7000 sqft backyard; note the pass tense.

I actually would suggest being prepared to eventually upgrade to a large trashcan. The squirrels kept going for the seeds in the 5gal buckets and would deter the chipmunks, just make sure to set the water level low enough for both animals. The larger container also helps remove squirrels and you're apt to catch mice/rats as well. Happy hunting!
 
#14 ·
SpiveyJr said:
Take a 5 gallon bucket and fill it with 4 gallons of water. Dump in a bunch of sunflower seeds until you can't see any water. Take a piece of wood and make a ramp for them to the top of the bucket so they can jump in and get the seeds.
I'm not one that finds joy in wanton destruction or causing unnecessary suffering. However, the chipmunk problem in our yard has gotten completely out of hand this year.

Holes in the lawn I can deal with, but this year, the chipmunks have added to their prior accomplishments by gnawing through irrigation system lines and digging holes under the driveway/walkway which have caused a collapse of some of the asphalt that can only be properly fixed by repaving the driveway.

As a result, I've tried different things to eliminate the problem, including snap traps and a rat zapper. With only moderate success with each of those, I resorted to the 5-gallon bucket approach described above. Although it is disagreeable, it is by far the best I've tried in terms of effectiveness. It just works.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBFmdnllGEY.
 
#17 ·
I got a few with the bucket trap but my kids made me get rid of it. It works very well but I had a yucky feeling in my stomach when I saw them in there. They're so destructive though I can see why people use any means necessary.
 
#20 ·
Purchased a home out in Connecticut. I have been noticing several of them climbing on the rooftop due to neighbors overhanging tree. There possibly making an entrance into roof to attic space. Been hearing sounds in Attic as it gets crazy.. Neighbor doesn't care what you think but I have noticed they feed these critters and the squirrels. So no matter what we say they think were the problem. What would you do to solve this situation without getting into shout match. Any advice great appreciated.
 
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#24 ·
Last year I caught over a dozen in the “Bucket”… And a few in a rat trap… Thought I thinned the herd as it was mid summer… Silly me they because the put fliers out for a Family Reunion and have comeback twofold… They are destroying my garden eaten my flower bulbs burrows so big you’ll break your ankle if you step in one an lord knows how rough the ride mowing is… I can’t do the bucket again now what?
 
#26 ·
It was necessary for him since they were destroying his property! Sometimes you cannot relocate these animals because of city ordinances, so what does that tell you? It’s the same thing with moles and voles! I don’t try to save them. I find a humane way to get rid of them! If you’re a lover of nature put them in a cage and keep them as pets. City or state ordinances wouldn’t view that well either but you can take that chance.
 
#27 ·
Feral cats are the best way keep them at bay...If you are willing to feed the feral cats, they will protect your area from mice and chippies...Even drop a few critters off at your doors...Just make sure the females are neutered, or you'll have kittens galore all year round....