Chipmunk control is sometimes necessary when they become overpopulated, or get into your home. Connecticut is home to the Eastern Chipmunk a North American ground

squirrel. Eastern Chipmunks are 8 to 11 inches long from nose to tail, with stripes on head, sides, and back. They make a loud chip sound when alarmed. They spend most their time on or below ground, but are capable of climbing trees.

Habitat:

Chipmunk prefer mature wooded lots with stonewalls, Brushy areas, and gardens. The dens will normally be close to a solid structure such as rock walls, concrete steps, patios, wood piles, and foundations. Their burrows may extend over 12 feet, and contain multiple chambers which include sleeping, storage, latrine, and trash chambers. The entrances are well hidden, there will little to no dirt on the outside. When excavating their tunnels the chipmunk carries away the dirt in its cheek pouches. The entrance hole will be 1.5 to 2 inches in diameter and go straight down.

Chipmunk damage:

Most calls we receive for chipmunk control are due to overpopulation, and property damage. Avid gardeners dread the chipmunk. They will dig up bulbs and seeds, damage flowerbeds, and their digging can damage retaining walls and foundations. Normally, Chipmunks enter buildings at ground-level in the following locations:

• cracks in the foundation.
• Dryer vents
• under or through doors (garage, basement hatch)
• through rotted sill plates
• up vinyl siding corners

We get calls all the time of Chipmunks and attic usually in the fall and winter. Occasionally, Chipmunks do enter attics, but this is rare. Usually the offending animal in the attic ends up being flying squirrels. If all you get a brief glimpse of a flying squirrel in your attic, they look very similar to the Eastern chipmunks in size and coloring.

 

Chipmunk removal, trapping:

 

Trapping and removal is the most effective way to get rid of chipmunk’s. Cage traps and rat traps being the tools of choice.  Poisons are not recommended for chipmunk  control because of their tendency to store food. Which raises the risk of poisoning nontarget animals. Give us a call to get rid of chipmunks 860-510-6313.

Chipmunk populations have been on the rise in the past few years.  This is due to the bumper crops of  acorns Connecticut has experienced.  Oak trees averaged 250lbs of acorns per tree in the years 2009-2010. In 2011 they averaged in the teens causing chipmunks to look for alternate food sources. Chipmunk control was in high demand in 2011, and expected to be rather high for 2012 until populations of chipmunk level out.