How to get rid of chipmunks. How to get rid of chipmunks in a summer cottage: the best methods of control How to get rid of a chipmunk

Hunting for chipmunks is very popular among hunters who live in areas where such animals are found. This is not surprising - fur-bearing animals have always attracted attention. Take, for example, squirrel hunting. Read more about her. However, in order for the hunter to return from such a hunt not empty-handed, he needs to know about some of the rules of such a hunt. And this is exactly what our publication will tell you about today.

Chipmunk hunting time

You should go hunting for a chipmunk, like any other forest animal, before the sun has yet risen. Experienced chipmunk hunters head into the cedar forests long before the sun rises. AND, The sooner they are in place, the more productive their day will be.

How to hunt a chipmunk

If you think that you will have to take it with you, then you are mistaken. There is a simpler and more ancient way of hunting such an animal.

We suggest you go on such a hunt with a homemade wabik, made from a brass shot shell and with a stick and a hair loop... In order to lure a chipmunk, the hunter will need to imitate the whistle of a female chipmunk during the rut using a wabik. Any male chipmunk, as soon as he hears such a whistle, necessarily runs to the loud call and falls straight into the hands of the hunter. There is no point in worrying that the sound of the wabik may be false and the rodent will doubt that it is the female chipmunk calling him. The main thing is that the whistle should be at least a little similar to the rutting songs of a chipmunk.

The hunter himself, after he has lured the chipmunk in such a simple way, will need to straighten the small hair loop that he ties to a 2-meter stick, and be patient. When a chipmunk runs up to a hunter, he usually does not get scared and does not run away, but sits down in a column and looks at the hunter in surprise. At this time, the hunter should carefully bring a hair loop to the animal’s muzzle, throw it around the animal’s neck and lift such a fishing rod to the top. That's it - the chipmunk has been caught. However, do not rush to pull it out of the loop - the animal is very tenacious and despite its small size, it has sharp claws and teeth with which it can hurt you.

After one chipmunk has been killed, the hunter can again call other chipmunks with his wab. It is noteworthy that in one day, in such a simple and not tricky way, experienced hunters are able to kill up to a hundred chipmunks.

Today we talked about a simple way to catch chipmunks. As you can see, there is nothing complicated in such a hunt, and even a novice hunter can do it.

Have you ever hunted chipmunks? Which hunting method do you prefer? Share your hunting experiences with us.

The article was prepared based on materials by V. Ivanov, taken from free sources.

We are waiting for your feedback and comments, join our VKontakte group!

We also prepare for attacks by moles, rats and other pests!

Yulia Shchetinyuk
All the efforts of gardeners can be ruined by a family of rodents or small diggers.

Animals, like people, just want to eat, and where their furry ancestors ate for centuries. Of course, you can try to live amicably with the land destroyers. What if it doesn't work out?
Striped Rascal
- Previously, our sites were “bombed” by thieves. It has been several years since we entered into an agreement with the police. And our partnership is now under reliable protection. But there’s no one to protect us from rodents,” summer residents complain.
- On my property, chipmunks regularly eat ripe berries. There is no peace from them all summer: the strawberries will die, the cherries, gooseberries and blackberries will ripen. Rodents sometimes completely eat up bushes,” complains experienced summer resident Angelina Leonidovna. “Their raids are especially devastating if I don’t come to the site for a whole week.”
Chipmunks are attacking strawberry plantations today: they pick berries (and larger ones), take them aside, bite off a few pieces, throw them away, and again for a new delicacy. In many areas, striped gnawers also eat green cherries. And if previously only the seeds were selected and the pulp was thrown away, now neither one nor the other is visible on the ground under the tree.
These animals are solitary by nature. They are excellent at climbing trees, because this is where they get most of their food. It turns out that each chipmunk (and their weight is 100 grams) collects about two kilograms of supplies for the winter, all this is carefully divided by nutritional qualities and stored in various corners your refuge.
- Stone cherry is especially attractive to stripers. That’s why they make their way to the still green berry,” says Viktor Aleksandrovich Kostenko, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor, Chief Researcher of the Laboratory of Theriology of the Biological and Soil Institute of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Honored Ecologist of the Russian Federation.

To prevent rodents from destroying cherries, you can use ordinary rat traps to catch them. The best bait will be pine nut- the most delicious food for chipmunks, it acts on them like cheese on mice. Before stringing the nut onto the stem, you should soak it a little and cut off the tip - this will make the kernel’s flavor stronger. Chipmunks can smell a nut a mile away.
But be careful with the cavity animal. He will never attack on his own. But you shouldn’t pick it up: it can bite, and it’s quite painful.
The fight against chipmunks should begin with the grass: mow it around plantings and trees. The rodent will not go out into the open. In addition, it is most active not at night, but in the morning and evening. And according to ordinary gardeners, it is best to simply not leave the dacha for a long time. It has been noticed that pensioners who manage their lands all summer do not suffer from rodents as much as their “visiting” colleagues.
And in the cartoon he's so cute...
In some years, usually closer to August, many gardeners note a real invasion of moles. Few gardeners have seen these animals, but almost everyone is familiar with the results of their work - piles of earth on the surface. After all, in one night a mole is capable of digging up to 50 meters of underground passages.
Some summer residents are sure that moles are eating their potatoes. This is not true: the animals feed on insects and their larvae, snails, and worms. Roots, grains, berries - they are not interested. However, these diggers destroy the soil structure and destroy beneficial worms and insects. And damaged plant roots, if they end up in the air (in a mole tunnel), simply die.
“Basically, dacha plots are located in forest areas,” says Professor Alexander Kostenko. - The forest was cut down, but the moles remained. Our Ussuri mole does not dig large holes (like its European relative), but walks in the forest, raising the litter. So the dacha plot is a fertile place for a digger - here, when collecting worms, it is easy to raise the ground.
A mole trap will help against moles (you can find it in stores for 30 rubles). This cone-shaped metal structure, reminiscent of an ice cream cone, “grabs” the animal by the head. Since the mole rarely comes out, it is better to place the trap directly in the hole. According to summer residents, the bait can be cheese, sausage, or special bait granules.
One of these is called “Moleboy” (22 rubles, a portion is enough for 4 baits). This product has an extremely attractive smell to forest diggers. It is scattered near the hole, and a board with a small hole is placed on top. The bait has a specific effect - when moles eat it, they do not die, but simply leave the place. It is easy to check the effectiveness of the product - by the absence of new earth emissions in the area.
However, our Ussuri moles have little fear of imported mole traps. Since they are two and a half times larger than their Siberian and European relatives.
According to the scientist, one of the most effective methods fight against moles - catching them. An ordinary bucket or cylinder will be useful for this purpose. We bury it ten centimeters below the mole tunnel. Cover the top with sticks and sprinkle with turf.
Little mice
“People rarely come to us for mole traps and baits for moles and chipmunks - one or two people per season,” says Olga Pishchulina, manager of the Primorye Gardens company. - But there is no end to those who want to get rid of mice and rats on their property.
There are a lot of special products against rodents: for example, in the form of grain (10-12 rubles per package, which is enough to cover five square meters). ALT glue is also popular (price - 100 rubles, one “container” is enough for ten times use).
Summer residents especially praise this last remedy. The glue is easy to use - it is applied to a wooden board with a small strip (for mice - 2 cm thick, for rats - 4 cm). A rodent, falling on a sticky surface, first sticks to it with its whole body, and then dies from immobility and fear. So, when you throw away the board, you will shudder at the sight of a living rat or mouse stuck to it.
One of our regular customers said that with one ALT-greased board 15 cm long, he caught 8 large rats on his property.
The best bait for summer residents is to take grain (it can be placed in the holes along with a piece of cheese for smell). And keep in mind that you should always wear gloves when laying out bait in your area. And it's not that they can be poisonous. It’s just that a rodent, having sensed the smell of a person from the same grain, will never approach it.

Photo + video step by step at home A chipmunk invasion is always a serious test that requires patience, diligence and proper knowledge on the topic from the victim. We are sure that best weapon in this case, competent prevention is

How to get rid of chipmunks?

Photos of what you need to get rid of forever

A chipmunk infestation is always a serious challenge that requires patience, diligence and proper knowledge on the topic from the victim. We are confident that the best weapon in this case is competent prevention. But those of you who nevertheless encounter this furry creature on your property do not need to despair. We will tell you which traps, baits and repellents are really effective against chipmunks.

What does a chipmunk look like: important facts about the life and behavior of a rodent

So, a chipmunk is a small rodent with recognizable brown fur (from chocolate to reddish shades), as well as 5 black and 2 white stripes on its back. If you look closely, you can see small stripes on the animal’s face. Our hero loves to dig in the ground a little more than other rodents. He is ready to dig through the entire garden to find his favorite food. This makes the chipmunk one of the main enemies of the modern farmer. Here are the facts you need to know about this species to successfully fight it!

A few more external signs. Chipmunks often move on four legs, but when resting they usually stand upright. They freely use a pair of front paws: they can hold food in them and grind it with their sharp teeth. Most of all, chipmunks resemble small squirrels ranging in size from 8 to 10 inches (however, these are animals from the same family). While running, they hold their tail straight, and while searching for food, they hide food in small cheek pouches.

They can come visit. Chipmunks do not live in human houses; their territory is nature. But ventilation shafts, holes in basements, and open pipes can look attractive to rodents. Through them, chipmunks occasionally enter homes and can cause mischief there!

Where do chipmunks live? Chipmunks are unpretentious in choosing their habitat and searching for food. They can be found in gardens and parks, on smooth lawns and in dense forests. However, extensive vegetation still attracts these creatures. They love bushes and low trees, as well as natural shelters such as fallen logs or piles of stones. Rodents cannot be found only in deserts, mountain forests and in the northernmost states.

Chipmunks are architects. Chipmunks live in long and deep burrows, and they cleverly disguise the entrance to them with the help of leaves and debris. These are cunning architects: our heroes make several entrances to the “house” and divide it into rooms for living and storing food.

They are excellent climbers. Don't be surprised if you see a chipmunk in a tree. They are excellent climbers, although they are usually lazy. A chipmunk can be driven to an oak or ash tree either by hunger or by escaping from an enemy.

Thrifty owners. Chipmunks are not so easy to starve to death. We have already written about the pouches behind the cheeks, and now we will talk about their “food storage areas”. In the hole of one animal, up to 9 gallons of food can be stored: this individual will last for a long time. So it’s better that they don’t have time to stock up on such a tasty “stash.”

Hot season. Animals are most active during the periods of “mating games”: in March and April, and then in July and August. The female's pregnancy lasts 1 month: the offspring can range from 2 to 8 individuals. By the way, within a year these fertile babies will begin to reproduce themselves! As a result, the population grows in geometric progression.

Chipmunks fall into hibernation? Yes, they spend the winter. But not like brown bears. Every couple of days of its wintering, the chipmunk wakes up to eat: it simply lacks a layer of subcutaneous fat. Therefore, on the eve of winter, rodents begin to more actively stockpile food.

Is it easy to catch a chipmunk? It is unlikely that this can be done without special traps. These rodents are very careful and nimble. They often climb to heights to look around. Seeing danger, the chipmunk takes off running and notifies its relatives of impending trouble with loud squeaks. In nature, only experienced hunters such as hawks, weasels, snakes, cats and some breeds of dogs can catch our heroes.

Chipmunks vs gophers. These animals have very similar bodies. But gophers are still a little longer and have no contrasting stripes on their heads at all: they are only on their backs. But chipmunks have stripes that stretch across their entire heads.

How dangerous are chipmunks for humans and their households?

Chipmunks love to eat. And they also dig a lot. Most of the conflicts between chipmunks and humans are associated with these qualities.

They eat our plants. Chipmunks eat almost everything that grows in gardens and vegetable gardens: berries, seeds, fruits, flowers, herbs, roots, mushrooms, bulbs... and even bird eggs and small animals. They cannot be called a major problem for serious farmers, but rodents can definitely ruin a small garden.

They dig too much. Traces of the presence of chipmunks disfigure lawns and beds. Rodents dig up seedlings and even damage foundations. Walls, stairs and decorative elements in the yard suffer from their overly active digging. Of course, a chipmunk will not destroy an entire house, but these animals are capable of minor destruction.

There are too many of them. Although chipmunks live alone, they are not afraid of their neighbors. More than 4 individuals with all their offspring can settle on one acre of land. Therefore, the problems mentioned above are intensified by their fertility and craving for dense living.

Economic harm. Researcher David Williams lists chipmunks as animals that pose a low threat to large-scale farms. But certain losses can be caused by the invasion of rodents on ordinary farms.

Bites. Chipmunks almost never attack people. But in a shock situation, this “brother squirrel” can bite a child, a pet, and even an adult. This usually happens when attempts to catch an animal are unsuccessful. In this case, the wound will be painful, and saliva is theoretically capable of transmitting rabies.

How to protect yourself from chipmunks?

Let's find out which methods of fighting chipmunks are the most effective. We don’t want to be guided by the advice of grandmothers and Internet users. Our portal relies only on articles by scientists and government experts.

Let's start with prevention. How can we ensure that our areas do not even attract chipmunks? The Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management portal calls conventional fencing the most effective method of containment. Expert David Williams suggests using an inexpensive mesh with small cells: it can cover crops, cavities in the foundation, pipes, etc.

Another expert, Thomas G. Barnes, a specialist at Extension Wildlife, also offers an affordable option with galvanized mesh:

“Galvanized mesh is one of the best materials for fencing. Use a sheet with 6 mm holes and be sure to bury it to a depth of 15-20 cm to keep chipmunks from undermining paths, digging in the garden or other important places.”

Be sure to think about the factors that may attract rodents to your territory. For example, they really like bird feeders, even if they are hung on a tree. Bowls with food for pets in the public domain are also a dangerous bait. And it is better for owners of ducks and chickens to sweep up every single grain after the next feeding of the bird.

Analysts at the Missouri Department of Conservation write that the risk of a chipmunk invasion increases for owners of homes in wooded areas and connoisseurs of garden decor. All these huge logs, rock gardens and dense bushes can become a good hiding place for pests. Experts summarize: the more spacious, cleaner and well-groomed the yard, the less the chipmunk will like it.

Best methods for controlling chipmunks: traps, repellents, poisons or physical extermination?

If you haven’t managed to protect your garden from chipmunks, then you need to ask yourself a few questions. Firstly, is it not possible to limit ourselves to fences on important flower beds/beds and live peacefully with a rodent next door? Secondly, does the appearance of 1-2 individuals threaten a major invasion or can they be caught and taken out? Thirdly, you need to find out whether shooting rodents is allowed in your region.

After this, it is necessary to track down the habitats of the bad guys. The Internet Center for Wildlife portal suggests that in small gardens they often settle near residential and commercial buildings. Moreover, you cannot recognize the entrance to the hole by a mound of earth and mud, as happens with moles. Chipmunks skillfully camouflage their “collars,” which rarely exceed 5 cm in diameter. Look for holes near garages, stumps, piles and in weak areas of foundations. But for large plots of land and farms, these tips are inappropriate: a hole can be found anywhere.

Scientists strongly doubt the potential of repellents and fumigants: “They are not recommended because none of them are known to be effective. Mothballs for mothballs, in particular, are not only ineffective, they contain toxic naphthalene, and the vapors are harmful to humans,” say zoologists.

Almost all colleagues agree with them. Except that the Internet Center for Wildlife believes in the relative benefits of repellents. For example, flavor and aromatic mixtures, in their opinion, can repel chipmunks from specific seeds and plants. But even here there will not be a 100% result. Well, with mothballs, experts say, they are not so good.

“Mothballs can repel chipmunks from attics, summer houses and storage areas when applied liberally (1.0 to 1.2 kg/100 m2). Be careful, however, in treated buildings, as the odor may be too unpleasant and irritating for people or pets,” writes David Williams.

All experts agree on one thing: poison should not be used on chipmunks. Such products do not have a license because they can seriously harm people and animals.

Total: Fencing and traps are effective means. In countries like the United States, chipmunks can also be tracked unless prohibited by state law.

Choosing the best baits and traps for chipmunks

In this section, we will learn how to make chipmunk traps by hand, select the best bait for them, and look for the perfect ready-to-use traps.

The mechanisms of most of these devices are not very original. Experts consider humane traps like cages and traps like rat traps to be the best - however, the latter can kill or injure too large individuals.

The American authors of the memo “Managing Chipmunk Problems in Kentucky” do not stand on ceremony with animals and recommend the use of steel traps or noose traps. They say that if you bury them at the entrance to the hole and cover them with earth, then you won’t even need any bait!

And the guys from Kentucky offer a medium-complexity option for making a pumped-up trap with your own hands:

“A humane trap with an entrance to a hole, can be made of metal mesh. Take a piece of 30x50 cm with 6 or 12 mm holes. Bend it so that a rectangular cage is formed. Press the edges together using spring rings. Cover one end of the trap with mesh and build a door out of it, attaching one end at the top so that it can move freely. Bend the bottom edge of the door so that when the door is closed, this edge goes 5 cm into the ground. For best results, set the trap where chipmunks have been spotted."

In fact, on the Internet you can find dozens of different instructions for making homemade traps for chipmunks. But experts do not confirm their high effectiveness. Therefore, let's turn to the certified options available in online stores.

Havahart X-Small Professional Style One-Door Animal Trap for Chipmunk, Squirrel, Rat, and Weasel – 0745

A classic trap for its type, made of stainless steel wire mesh based on steel reinforcement. The trap is protected from corrosion and rust, and also has smaller gaps between the bars so that the animal has no chance of escaping. The trap has a very sensitive trigger, and the flaps provide a chipmunk-safe grip.

If the owner of this thing decides to save the life of the rodent and move it to another area, then a safe carrying mechanism will help him. The chipmunk will not be able to scratch you and will not feel any pain during transportation. By the way, in addition to our heroes, squirrels, rats, weasels and even larger mice are caught here.

Among more than 1,500 customer reviews, we found comments from people who caught 23 and even 40 chipmunks during the season. Occasionally there were complaints about a specific defect in the product, but there was much more positive. In addition, people advise camouflaging the trap with twigs and leaves, and also checking the cage more often so as not to torment the caught animal in a stressful situation.

Live Catch Mouse Trap Humane No Touch Rodents Ground Squirrel Chipmunk Mice 2pk

This device is not as popular as Havahart traps, but it has an interesting feature. The developers call their invention the “most humane” trap for squirrels, mice and chipmunks. In front of us is a transparent tube made of soft plastic, the metal gates of which open only for the entrance. Then the rodent finds itself inside a trap, from which it cannot escape even with the help of force.

According to sellers, the transparent walls make the Live Catch Trap not only safe, but also invisible to the chipmunk. But he will be able to feel and see the same bait. The extreme ease of use is noticeable: there are no triggers, closers or magnets to tinker with. Well, Live Catch is many times lighter than its metal competitors.

What do buyers write about it? They are sure that the product is not suitable for rats and tree squirrels, but chipmunks are really attracted to it. However, we did not find heroic reports of dozens of caught rodents, as with Havahart. Maybe plastic releases the aroma of bait worse? As a serious criticism, we note the comments that for large chipmunks, the Live Cath with dimensions of 2x3 inches is still too small.

Intruder 16525 The Better Rodentrap

But this is no longer a humane trap. But it is the cheapest on our list. The principle of operation here is simple - “trap”. Bend the stainless steel spring, place the bait and wait for the animal. If a chipmunk gets caught in these “jaws,” the device will simply crush it with enormous force. Sellers promise that there will be no blood: the jaw will either suffocate the rodent or break its neck. After this, you will need to get rid of the corpse, rinse the trap and hunt further.

The most economical buyers will also be pleased with the fact that the Intruder Rodentrap requires minimal doses of bait for chipmunks. This is what such tight-fisted gardeners write:

“I caught three chipmunks in just a few days. You need very little peanut butter in the very center of the trap. This works better than any other trap I've ever tried."

"This trap is easy to set up. We've already caught 4 chipmunks this year using peanut butter and sunflower seeds."

The trap was considered effective by 64% of buyers. Not so much, but not little either! Perhaps someone was embarrassed by the cruelty at work. And some buyers complained that their purchase soon broke down: sometimes this happened for unknown reasons.

Overall, this is a slightly outdated trap of average effectiveness. Yes, it works, but you will definitely have to tinker with Intruder!

Hoont™ Electronic Rodent Trap - Clean and Humane Extermination of Rats, Mice and Squirrels

The time has come for the most controversial and scandalous trap in our rating. We are always skeptical about electronic pest control products. Many of them turn out to be too cheap products, and such “gadgets” have problems with certification. Therefore, we carefully study reviews and select only the best models.

What can you say about this electronic “rodent killer”? In front of us is a small plastic box with a compartment for bait, which kills mice and chipmunks with a powerful discharge of electricity. The developers call this “humane elimination the first time.”

The Hoont™ Electronic Rodent Trap comes with a 1.5 m wire and can also be powered by four batteries. You can count on 30 kills with one set of batteries. A special indicator will inform you about the prey, and you can throw away the corpse very easily and without direct contact with the skin.

We have a couple more complaints about this product. Let's say he works well at home... But the fight against chipmunks is most often carried out on the street. It is unlikely that metal elements and an electric discharge supply system will respond well to rain and even fog! Secondly, the size of the trap is not the largest... and is not suitable for a fat chipmunk. After all, unlike transparent and metal traps, here the bait is felt only by smell: the rodent will not see it with its eyes. All this reduces the possible effectiveness of the product.

Well, in the comments to HoontTM there are a lot of positive comments from chipmunk haters. They say the contraption works well at home. But there are also reasonable claims that the trap can kill a small puppy, kitten and pet hamster. In addition, there is no intelligent mechanism that will indicate that the batteries in the device are low. Well, don’t stick your fingers in there, honestly!

At the end of the review of traps, we will write about models like Snap-E Mouse Trap-6 Pack.

Such rodent traps can be easily scattered throughout the area and provide “breadth of coverage.” But the downside is that they are not always fatal to chipmunks. Their springs are not strong enough: the animal can simply get injured or crawl out from under the “jaws” on its own. So this is also a method, but the method is not the most humane and reasonable.

Whatever trap you use, you can’t do without a “treat”. What bait should I use in chipmunk traps?

Biologists answer specifically: chipmunks will be attracted to a mixture of peanut butter with oatmeal, nuts and seeds. You can also add berries to taste!

How to choose an effective chipmunk repellent?

We remember that repellents are not suitable as the main weapon against chipmunks. But some rare substances can still repel these animals from your home. Above we provided a recipe from David Williams for using mothballs in attics, barns and other non-residential premises. Classic ones are suitable for this. mothballs for moths. The main thing is to remember the dosage and do not harm the environment!

Are there other means? You can try using granules like Shake Away 5006358 Rodent Repellent Granules. The description says that rodents perceive their smell as “the aroma of predator urine” and run away in fear. Although for people the granules smell like “very tart mint.” We cannot scientifically confirm or deny the potency of Shake Away. But about 50% of buyers called the product effective.

We did not find any other repellents against chipmunks in any normal online store.

Let's summarize:

Our portal recommends that readers choose means of fighting chipmunks depending on the threat they pose to you and your garden. Often you can simply drive them away from your territory or fence off the rodents with a small fence. But even if the animals go on a real offensive, take a closer look at humane means of control like cage traps. This way you can get rid of chipmunks without getting their blood on your hands.

As a last resort, use killer traps or take up weapons. But remember that its use must be agreed upon with the authorities in your region!

Natalia Toropova

Chipmunks can damage plants and dig unwanted holes in the garden. Sometimes a chipmunk may even climb into a house through an attic, open window or door. Luckily, there are many ways to protect your property from these rodents. Eliminate food sources and hiding places to make your yard and home less attractive to chipmunks. If a chipmunk has already entered your home, you can evict this unwanted guest using simple and humane methods.

Steps

Keep chipmunks away from your property and garden

Remove berries and nuts that fall on the ground. Fallen berries and nuts will attract chipmunks to your property. If these rodents get used to a constant source of food, they will visit you regularly. Remove berries and fruits from the ground as soon as you find them to prevent them from attracting chipmunks.

If you have a bird feeder, remove seeds that fall from it onto the ground.

Remove any rocks, brush, or piles of debris that chipmunks may be hiding among. Chipmunks look for places where they can easily hide from predators and people. If there are no trees on your site, they will hide under stones, in bushes, under firewood and boards.

Enclose plants in your garden with chicken wire. If chipmunks are damaging or chewing vegetation in your garden, use chicken wire around the plants you want to protect. Bury the net at least 20 centimeters into the ground to prevent chipmunks from digging under it.
- Wire mesh for the fence can be purchased at a hardware store or ordered online.
Surround the area with a plant-free strip of gravel. Thanks to such a strip, chipmunks will not be able to hide in the bushes and grass near your house. In addition, the gravel will prevent them from burrowing into the ground. Purchase gravel from a hardware store or order online. Place it around the plants you want to protect or around the perimeter of the entire garden.

If the chipmunks persist, spray a flavor repellent. Repellents such as Bitrex, Thiram or ammonia water will give the plants a nasty taste and will keep chipmunks away from them. These repellents can be purchased at a garden supply store or ordered online. Fill a spray bottle with repellent according to the directions for use and spray it thoroughly onto plants that attract chipmunks.
- You may need to apply the repellent a few more times for it to take effect.
- Taste repellents are effective in repelling chipmunks.
Scare away chipmunks with a fake owl. A fake owl can help keep chipmunks away from your garden. Such a dummy can be purchased at a garden supply store or ordered online. Place it in a place where chipmunks regularly visit and see if it gives results.
- Some owl models even glow or move their wings.
Instead of pretending to be a predator, get a cat or dog so that the pet will scare away chipmunks. Be aware that cats and small dogs may prey on chipmunks. Try to prevent this from happening, as chipmunks often carry diseases that can infect your pet.
- You can chain your dog to prevent it from chasing and killing chipmunks.
Scatter mothballs in areas where you have seen chipmunks. Mothballs or camphor balls will act as a natural repellent for chipmunks. If you find that chipmunks have already made a nest in the attic or elsewhere in your home, scatter mothballs at a rate of 2 to 2.5 kilograms of mothballs for every 200 square meters.
- Please note that mothballs have a strong odor that may be unpleasant to people and animals.
Place bird feeders at least five meters from the house. Bird feeders located near your home can attract chipmunks to your home. Hang bird feeders away from the house and low branches. Remove any seeds that fall on the ground.

Chipmunks in their own way appearance They don’t cause a feeling of threat, they are cute and fluffy, children are happy to get such a pet.

However, not everyone shares this point of view, especially summer residents in those regions where these rodents are found in natural conditions.

Chipmunk

If an animal was spotted on the site of a country house, then a real invasion can be expected soon.

Therefore, it is important to take timely preventive measures to prevent rodents from entering, and if this happens, you should clearly know how to get rid of chipmunks.

The rodent has an external resemblance to a squirrel, and their habits are similar.

Chipmunk and squirrel

However, while squirrels prefer to live in trees, chipmunks tend to spend a lot of time on the ground, where they dig well-camouflaged burrows.

They live in a forest area, but can also choose a summer cottage. They rarely penetrate into the house, although ventilation pipes and chimneys become attractive habitats for them.

Life cycle and reproduction

Chipmunks grow up to 10-15 cm long. The rodent's decoration is a fluffy tail, which can reach 10 cm. Body weight is 120-150 grams. A distinctive feature is the presence of dark stripes on the back.

The wool is colored gray-brown or red-brown. The eyes are protruding, which provides the animal with a maximum field of view and helps to hide from the predator in time.

Chipmunks are active in the morning and evening. During the cold season they hibernate, but they do not sleep too soundly and wake up regularly to feed.

Chipmunk stores food for himself

They have little subcutaneous fat, so the animals have to prepare provisions for the winter. Rodents wake up and leave their burrows in the spring with the onset of warm weather, but they do this gradually.

First, the animals emerge from burrows located on warm slopes, and then all the others. If it starts to get cold, they all hide until stable warm weather sets in.

Under the spring sun, the animals are lethargic, lead a motionless lifestyle near their burrows and feed on tree buds. In summer, their activity increases, they become mobile and move around the area.

On hot days they hide in holes, leaving them only early in the morning or late in the evening. If chipmunks live in a thicket, then even in the heat they can lead an active lifestyle under the trees. The peculiarity of their habits is that they do not like rainy weather.

The chipmunk digs burrows in the roots of trees. It also prefers rotten stumps and sometimes hollows. He likes to settle and live in dead wood and windfall, where he can successfully hide from enemies.

It prefers proximity to water, for example, it settles in thickets near streams and rivers. He can perfectly climb trees and run quickly on the ground.

Mating begins after hibernation, when the female whistles to attract males. Pregnancy lasts a month, after which babies are born. Usually there are 3-6 of them, but the number can reach 12.

Baby chipmunk

Chipmunks are born blind and bald, but develop very quickly.

After two weeks, the fur coat grows, and after 3 weeks, the eyes open. Feeding lasts only 60 days, and already 4 months after birth the animals emerge from the burrow.

The new offspring are ready for breeding after 11 months. At home they can live up to 10 years, but in nature - only 2-3 years on average. It's connected with a large number natural enemies.

Nutrition

The animal prefers plant foods, although sometimes it may include insects in its diet. Does not refuse mushrooms, nuts, acorns.

Chipmunk eating corn

Depending on the time of year, the menu includes young grass, fresh shoots, and buds. Loves to eat coniferous vegetation.

Often, with its appetite, it harms humans, destroying areas. He likes cereals and other crops - peas, sunflowers, corn and buckwheat.

Once in the garden, the animal is able to climb a tree and feast on apricots and plums. He won’t refuse to visit the cucumber patch.

Harm to humans

Chipmunks love to dig holes, which can reach several meters in size. Animals do not refuse food and can “help” the summer resident in harvesting.

It is these factors that cause harm to humans:

The omnivorous nature of the animals provokes the risk of damage to the garden - they eat bulbs, roots, flowers, fruits, and berries.
Undermining damages lawns and flower beds; not only seedlings suffer from the actions of rodents, but also stairs or decorative components on the site.
Fertility and the possibility of compact living of single individuals with offspring can lead to the colonization of the area by rodents.
Economic damage – farms located in the territories of Siberia, the Urals, Far East, in northern Russia may be subject to serious attacks by the Asian chipmunk, especially in settlements close to the taiga and forest plantations.
Bites - such cases are infrequent, and the animal itself is not too aggressive, preferring to hide rather than enter into conflict. But when children try to catch a rodent or when entering a person’s home, attacks are possible. In addition, there is a risk of contracting rabies.

Best Ways to Control Chipmunks

The animals are very shy, they quickly run away at the first sign of danger. When digging holes, they carry the earth behind their cheeks away from their future housing, and carefully disguise the entrance. Therefore, finding a mink is not so easy.

Chemicals

Using strong chemicals on the site is very dangerous.

Mothballs - they should be scattered near the house, in an area with plantings, near rodent burrows. This drug will not lead to the death of the animal, but it will scare it away from the garden. However, carefully monitor your children so that they do not pick up these balls.
Place objects around the perimeter of the site that will repel animals with their smell. For example, blood meal is scattered near the roots of trees and bushes. You can place sticks of chewing gum, which has a strong smell, around the holes.
Preparations containing capsaicin, a substance extracted from chili peppers.
Castor oil repellent.
Regularly treat the area with a repellent containing predator urine.

Mechanical traps

The most suitable option for getting rid of problems with chipmunks is prevention. For example, you can use a low-cost mesh with small cells.

It is used to protect crops, various cavities and pipes. It is also advisable to use galvanized mesh with 6 mm cells. It must be buried to a depth of 15-20 cm to avoid the possibility of undermining. Fence around the perimeter of the site.

If the animals have entered the garden and you want to know how to get rid of chipmunks in your garden, summer cottage, then it is advisable to explore such options. The most in a simple way is to purchase a rodent trap.

Metal cage trap for small rodents

After this, you need to scatter grains and seeds, luring the animal into it. After being hit, the chipmunk is disposed of.

There is also this version of the trap - take a bucket, fill it halfway with water. Place it in the garden with a board resting on it.

Trap bucket for rodents

Seeds are thrown around the bucket, onto a board, and into the water to lure rodents. The trap can be made from metal mesh. To do this, take a cut of 300x500 mm. The holes should be 6-12 mm.

By bending a piece of mesh, you get a rectangular cage. Secure the edges with spring rings. One end of the cage is closed to create a door. The cage is placed in places where animals are present.

An effective, but dangerous method for children and other animals is the use of rat traps.

Rat trap Swissinno SuperCat

They should be scattered around the garden, checking their condition periodically.

Ultrasonic repellers

Another way to get rid of chipmunks in the countryside is to use devices that emit ultrasound.

Such devices affect nervous system animals using ultrasonic pulses with a frequency of over 20 kHz.

As a result, rodents have a desire and need to leave the affected area. To eliminate adaptation, the frequency changes in the range of 20-70 kHz.

The device is placed in the center of the room. It must be placed on the floor or a wooden stand within 1.5 m in height. Required voltage 220 V.

As well as the universal model WEITECH WK-0600.

Conclusion

Chipmunks in a cage as a pet are very cute. Such a pet will delight your child.

A rodent in the forest will not cause any harm. However, if the animal ends up in your garden, on your personal plot, it can cause quite serious harm.

Therefore, it is necessary to take timely measures to protect your home from rodents.