Certain taste repellents help lessen damage on a short-term basis, but in order to eliminate the pests completely, individuals should contact trained professionals. For example, eliminate easy food sources by placing bird feeders away from structures. Since chipmunks in the yard are so destructive to landscaping, property owners can employ habitat modification methods to reduce the likelihood of attracting the pests. The pests also dig up newly planted seeds, gnaw on tree bark, and eat flower stems, fruits, and vegetables. These holes are found near wood piles, retaining walls, decks, and patios and do not typically have loose or piled soil near the openings. Property owners are typically able to identify the presence of chipmunks in the yard early on thanks to the appearance of cleanly dug holes a bit larger in diameter than a quarter. They frequently inhabit yards and gardens where they cause destruction by feeding and digging into the ground. House residents are able to detect the presence of chipmunks in the walls by listening for squeaking and scratching sounds.Ĭhipmunks thrive on private properties. Since they burrow underground and take comfort in seclusion, the pests often set up nests inside wall cavities. These hidden homes typically include a camouflaged entrance. As such, the presence of chipmunks in the attic leads to backed up gutters and water damage.Ĭhipmunks frequently find their way into private residences through holes in building foundations. While some chipmunks make nests in logs or bushes, most prefer to dig vast underground burrows. Chipmunks use downspouts to both gain access and hoard food. These animals typically find their way into attics to store nuts, seeds, and fruits. Though chipmunks are small in stature, they cause a sizeable amount of damage once they get inside homes. They bite if they feel threatened and are known carriers of fleas. The pests also tear up insulation, chew on electrical wiring, and gnaw through cedar shakes. Destruction inflicted on patios, stairs, and retention walls is costly and detrimental to the structural integrity of buildings. Good luck.Most damage caused by chipmunks in the house occurs when they burrow around the foundation. It's important that you make sure it's out of the house and I think that trying to calm it, feed it, then catch it is a good approach. If it does die in a wall it will stink, (really bad) for a while. It could do some damage by chewing or it could die from lack of food and water. But there is the possibility that it's surviving in a wall somewhere. Most homes have small holes & gaps where plumbing and other utilities are connected, as well as along the foundation and roof lines. They can fit through pretty small holes and gaps. On the other hand it might have already found it's way out of the house and back to freedom. Take him far from the house or he will show up again in a Happy Meal box. Set out a Have-a-heart trap, bait it with peanut butter. If / when it finally finds and takes the food, replace it and keep the cats away, it will start to get comfortable and you will have an advantage when you set a live trap. To do a ''atch and release'' first you need to catch him in a place he is not going to fear the cats will finish their 'meal'. Like other rodents, chipmunks spend a lot of time gnawing on things. If you think it has access to any certain part of your home, like the basement, a closet, cabinet or somewhere else that it may feel safe and "hidden", try putting some nuts or peanut butter out for it to eat. Chipmunks can cause lots of damage if they get inside your home, so getting rid of them quickly minimizes the destruction. Keep indoor-housed chipmunks away from direct sunlight, radiators and other heat sources. The only way to remedy this problem is to install thin screening over the dirt or over the opening of the crawl space so the chipmunks cannot enter the basement. If the chipmunk happens to burrow into the crawl space and upwards to find an exit, it will get into the home. It's probably going to be hingry too, use that to your advantage. Chipmunks can make burrows underground 10 to 30 feet deep. If you keep the cats away from where the chipmunk is for a few days it should relax a little bit. As long as it's in full alert self preservation mode it will be very difficult to catch. Like Johnchip said, you have to remove the "fear factor" for the little bugger. On the bright side, chipmunks and squirrels are not known for carrying rabies.
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