Chipmunks are small rodents that can be found throughout the United States and Canada. They have tan fur with black stripes on their back, sharp teeth for gnawing through nuts and seeds, and long front claws that they use to dig burrows.
They’re a common sight in yards and gardens, but they can also cause problems if left unchecked.
In this article, we’ll examine what chipmunks like to eat, why they’re attracted to bird feeders, how long it takes for them to dig holes in the ground (and what kind), and much more!
| Takeaway |
|---|
| Chipmunks can cause damage to yards and homes by digging tunnels, chewing on wires and insulation, and nesting in crawl spaces and attics. |
| There are several humane ways to control chipmunks in the yard, including using natural repellents, trapping, and using physical barriers. |
| It’s important to understand the potential risks and ethical concerns associated with backyard breeding of pets. |
| Raising backyard chickens can be a rewarding experience, but it’s important to be aware of the potential health hazards and to take steps to keep your family safe. |
| Natural methods for controlling dandelions and other weeds can be effective and safe for the environment. |
Is A Chipmunk Bad For Your Yard?
Chipmunks are not bad for your yard.
Chipmunks eat insects, nuts, and seeds. They do seem to prefer acorns, but they’ll also eat berries and fruit from trees, as well as grasses like clover or wheatgrass.
They do not damage your yard in any way by digging holes or burrowing underneath foundations or sidewalks as groundhogs do.
They’re not a pest or problem for your yard at all!
If you’re dealing with an ant infestation in your yard, try using some natural methods to control them. In our guide on controlling ants in your backyard, we share some effective DIY methods that are safe for your family and pets.
What Kind Of Damage Can A Chipmunk Do To Your Yard?
A chipmunk can cause several different types of damage to your yard. They will dig holes in the ground and eat up any vegetation that grows in these holes. If you have a flower bed or garden, they will eat up any plants in it as well.
You may also see them on top of your roof eating bird seed or other food meant for birds, which is bad news for your bird feeders if you have any hanging around. However, most people don’t mind having a few chipmunks around because they can be cute and fun to watch when they are not wreaking havoc on their backyards!
How Long Does It Take For A Chipmunk To Dig A Hole In The Ground?
So what can you expect from a chipmunk invasion? It depends on how many of them are in your yard, and whether they’re coming back. If you have one or two chipmunks digging holes in the ground, then it’s not too bad you can just fill in their tunnels and keep an eye out for more.
But if you have lots of them burrowing around (or even just one), then those holes will start to cause problems; they’ll end up under your deck or making nests in trees, which could lead to structural damage or other issues.
In addition to digging burrows that go deep underground which is where chipmunks spend most of their time when they aren’t eating seeds or nuts chipmunks also make nests that hang from tree branches high above ground level.
These nests can be made with twigs, leaves, and grasses woven together into a ball shape with little openings at both ends so air flows through easily without bringing rainwater down onto their babies’ heads!
Dandelions can be a nuisance in your yard, but before you reach for the weed killer, consider using some natural methods to control them. Check out our guide on natural weed control for dandelions to learn how you can keep your yard free of these pesky weeds without harming the environment.
What Can I Do About Chipmunks Eating My Plants?
The best way to keep chipmunks from eating your plants is to remove the food source. Once you’ve done this, you can also use repellents or traps to keep them away from your yard.
How Do You Keep Chipmunks Away From Your Bird Feeders?
You can also try to avoid attracting them by making sure that your feeder is not within reach of any tree branches. The best way to do this is by using a squirrel baffle or placing the feeder on a platform that keeps it away from trees, poles, or any structures that may be within reach.
If they are already hanging around, you may want to consider getting rid of the problem by using a squirrel-repellent spray or buying a different type of feeder with one-way doors that keep the chipmunks out of their favorite foods.
If you’re dealing with gophers damaging your yard, there are several ways to deter them without resorting to harmful chemicals. In our guide on gopher control for your yard, we share some effective methods for keeping these destructive critters away from your landscaping.
Do Chipmunks Make A Lot Of Noise?
Chipmunks are very vocal and active. They make a lot of noise when they run and dig holes in your yard, as well as when they fight with each other. This can be very annoying for people who live near natural areas where chipmunks live.
But if you need to get rid of them for any reason, it is important not to use traps that kill or injure the animals in any way because then you will have to deal with dead bodies on your property.
Chipmunks and Noise Table
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Do chipmunks make noise? | Yes, chipmunks are known to make a variety of vocalizations including chirping, chattering, and clucking sounds. |
| How loud are chipmunk vocalizations? | Chipmunk vocalizations are generally not very loud, with most sounds falling in the range of 70-90 decibels. |
| When do chipmunks make the most noise? | Chipmunks are diurnal animals, meaning they are most active during the day. They may make more noise during the day than at night. |
| Can chipmunk noise be a nuisance? | While chipmunks are not generally considered a noise nuisance, they may become a problem if they are nesting inside a house or other structure. |
| How can you reduce chipmunk noise? | If chipmunks are nesting inside your home or other structure, you may need to hire a professional wildlife removal service. Otherwise, there are not many effective ways to reduce chipmunk noise levels as they are a natural part of the environment. |
Are Chipmunks Good For Gardens And Flower Beds?
Yes and no. A chipmunk’s diet can be good for your garden, but only if you don’t mind them eating some of your plants. Chipmunks are omnivores and will eat both plants and insects that are bad for gardens.
They will also eat some fruits like apples and peaches that are good for your fruit trees. The problem with chipmunks eating from your garden is that they dig burrows under the ground and spread their droppings throughout the area where they live.
This can lead to diseases such as salmonella being transferred into other areas of your yard or even into your house!
While raising backyard chickens can be a rewarding experience, it’s important to understand the potential risks involved. Check out our guide on the dangers of backyard chickens to learn about the health hazards associated with keeping chickens and how to keep your family safe.
Are Chipmunks Good For Farms And Crops?
The answer is yes and no. Chipmunks are good for farms and crops because they eat insects, but they can also damage crops by eating seeds or digging holes in the ground.
Chipmunks and Farms Table
Here’s a table discussing the impact of chipmunks on farms and crops:
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Do chipmunks help or harm crops? | Chipmunks can harm crops by eating fruits, vegetables, and nuts. |
| Do chipmunks eat insects that harm crops? | While chipmunks do eat insects, they are not a significant predator of crop pests. |
| Can chipmunks help with pollination? | Chipmunks are not known to be significant pollinators of crops. |
| Can chipmunks benefit farms in any way? | While chipmunks may provide habitat for other beneficial animals like snakes and birds, they are generally considered a pest on farms. |
| What are some ways to control chipmunks on farms? | Some effective ways to control chipmunk populations on farms include using fumigation or toxic baits, trapping and relocating them, or using exclusion techniques like fencing or netting. |
How Do You Get Rid Of Chipmunks In Your Yard?
In order to get rid of chipmunks in your yard, you’ll need to use one of the following methods:
A chipmunk trap. This is an easy way to trap a chipmunk. You’ll have to put out food in order for them to come near the trap so that they can get stuck inside it when they try eating the food.
A repellent spray or sound machine. This method is environmentally friendly and doesn’t hurt any animals; however, it doesn’t always work well because some animals just don’t care about their surroundings and will keep coming back even after being sprayed or played recordings over and over again!
Poisoning them with rat poison pellets (which can be found at most hardware stores). This method is not recommended because rats typically eat up all the poison pellets before any other animals come near enough from eating them themselves!
So unless you are trying really hard at getting rid of rodents then this probably isn’t going anywhere fast either sadly
While some people may choose to breed their pets in their backyard, it’s important to understand the potential risks and ethical concerns. Check out our guide on the dangers of backyard breeding to learn why it’s generally not a good idea to breed pets at home and the potential consequences for the animals involved.
What Are The Best Ways To Trap A Chipmunk?
Live Trap: A live trap is a wooden box with a door that closes without locking, so the chipmunk can go in and out at will. When it is time to release the chipmunk, simply open the door and let it go elsewhere.
Cage Trap: A cage trap looks similar to a small wire cage door with two metal doors on either side. The chipmunk goes inside one of these doors on its own volition and cannot exit until you open both locks simultaneously (so as not to injure yourself). This type of trap is ideal if you want to relocate your captured animal instead of killing it outright.
Kill Trap: A kill trap may look like an enlarged cage or long tube-like device that uses gravity or spring mechanisms to close upon an unsuspecting animal’s head, crushing it instantly once inside.
These types should never be used around children or pets as they are very dangerous and possibly deadly to use around living creatures!
If you must have such traps in place for whatever reason due to ongoing infestations from other pests such as rats or rabbits then please make sure everyone understands how deadly these devices can be before using them anywhere near humans.”
Why Are There So Many Chipmunks Around My House?
Chipmunks are omnivores, so they will eat pretty much any kind of plant or animal that is available. They especially like seeds, nuts, berries, and fruits. When it comes to bird feeders and gardens, you can use a variety of methods to keep them away and protect your plants.
Do Chipmunks Live Under Houses And Eaves?
- Yes, chipmunks do live under houses and eaves.
- They also live in yards, flower beds, and gardens.
- They can be found living on the property of the home or apartment building you live in.
What Are The Differences Between Chipmunks And Ground Squirrels?
Chipmunks are about half the size of ground squirrels. Chipmunks tend to be smaller with shorter tails, while ground squirrels have larger heads and longer tails.
Both chipmunks and ground squirrels are omnivores, meaning they eat a variety of foods some plants, and some animals. However, chipmunks live in trees while ground squirrels live on the ground.
Chipmunk burrows can be found underground or in tree branches; they’re often lined with leaves and grasses for insulation and camouflage during the winter months when hibernation occurs.
Ground squirrel dens tend to have more elaborate tunnels that lead down into a chamber where food is stored; these tunnels are usually dug into hillsides because it’s easier to dig through loose soil than rock or concrete structures like foundations under houses and porches (where most people find them).
Conclusion
It is important to properly identify the type of rodent in your yard. If you are unsure if it is a chipmunk or a ground squirrel, look for other signs that indicate their presence.
You can also use our guide above and try some of the methods listed there to help get rid of these pesky critters from your home or garden!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources you may find helpful in dealing with chipmunks in your yard:
What to do about chipmunks – This guide from the Humane Society provides tips on humane ways to control chipmunk populations and prevent damage to your yard and garden.
Can chipmunks damage your house? – This article from House Method discusses the potential damage that chipmunks can cause to your home and how to prevent it.
Do chipmunks dig tunnels in yards? What damage do they cause? – This blog post from Westchester Wildlife explores the behavior of chipmunks in yards and gardens and the kinds of damage that they can cause.
FAQs:
What are some common methods for controlling chipmunks in the yard?
Some common ways to deter chipmunks include using natural repellents like hot pepper spray or predator urine, using live traps to remove them from the area, and keeping bird feeders out of reach.
Are chipmunks a threat to humans?
In general, chipmunks are not aggressive and are not considered a threat to humans. However, they can carry diseases like rabies and hantavirus, so it’s important to avoid contact with them.
How can I prevent chipmunks from digging tunnels in my yard?
To prevent chipmunks from digging tunnels in your yard, try planting garlic or other Allium plants as a natural deterrent. You can also use physical barriers like chicken wire or hardware cloth to keep them out of certain areas.
What kind of damage can chipmunks cause to a house?
Chipmunks can cause damage to a house by chewing on wires, insulation, and other materials. They can also nest in attics and crawl spaces, potentially causing further damage.
When is the best time to trap chipmunks?
The best time to trap chipmunks is in the fall or early spring, before the breeding season begins. This can help prevent a population explosion and keep them from causing damage to your yard or home.
I am Hellen James, a landscape architect. For many years I have written about landscaping for various publications; however, recently decided to focus my writing on personal experience as a profession.