Chipmunks

Eastern chipmunk, Tamias striatus.

Occasionally, chipmunks damage grain fields, garden seeds, flower bulbs, and plants through burrowing and feeding. They infrequently destroy eggs and nestling birds (Eadie 1954). They can establish residence in or under human dwellings. Chipmunks cause reforestation problems by consuming seeds, seedlings, and the terminal buds of older plants, and by caching seeds, often in large quantities (Marsh and Howard 1990). In parts of the western United States, chipmunks are a potential reservoir for plague and are controlled in campgrounds (Marsh and Howard 1990). Chipmunks are easily observed due to their diurnal activity; their presence can also be determined by trapping.

Summary of Damage Prevention and Control Methods

Exclusion

Rodent-proof construction will exclude chipmunks from structures. Use 1/4-inch (0.6-cm) mesh hardware cloth to exclude chipmunks from gardens and flower beds.

Habitat Modification

Store food items, such as bird seed and dog food, in rodent-proof containers. Ground covers, shrubs, and wood piles should not be located adjacent to structure foundations.

Frightening

Not effective.

Repellents

Area repellents. Naphthalene (moth flakes or moth balls) may be effective if liberally applied in confined places.

Taste repellents. Repellents containing bitrex, thiram, or ammonium soaps of higher fatty acids applied to flower bulbs, seeds, and vegetation (not for human consumption) may control feeding damage.

Toxicants

None are federally registered. Check with local extension agents or a USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services personnel for possible Special Local Needs 24(c) registrations.

Fumigants

Generally impractical.

Trapping

Rat-sized snap traps. Live (box or cage) traps. Glue boards.

Shooting

Small gauge shotguns or .22-caliber rifles.