It's no secret that chipmunks are pretty cute. But when they aren't scampering about the yard, eating nuts and looking adorable, the little fur balls like to dig. That's all well and good, unless you're a homeowner who doesn't care for chipmunk tunnels under your patio steps, house foundation or prized garden. This week, Nature 101's Paul Basham has some tips for keeping these teeny burrowers at bay:
When a chipmunk takes up residence around your home, it's because the chipmunk housing authority has declared the neighborhood perfect for raising a family.
It does not disturb them that their burrowing can loosen retaining walls or weaken granite foundations. Attempts to trap and relocate them is mostly futile, because other chipmunks will see a vacancy sign where they left and move right in. Such desirable quarters for chipmunks will not be uninhabited for long.
Chipmunks have two litters each year and they are good at math, multiplying like rabbits. There is no shortage of chipmunks looking for safe and comfortable accommodations in the housing market.
The best way to get a chipmunk to relocate is with habitat modification, which will act as a subtle eviction notice. Because chipmunks are wary of open areas, you should create as much empty space as possible around the entrances of their potential homes. Trimming back high grass and removing stacks of wood will cause your chipmunk tenants to conclude living elsewhere is a smart move. And keep birdseed off the ground.
Chipmunks have many predators, and they select living quarters surrounded by ample hideouts for a quick escape as they search for food. They must constantly be on the lookout for hawks, owls, fox, coyotes, snakes, dogs and cats. Their archenemy is the weasel, which can follow them into their burrows.
When your chipmunk neighbors realize their protective underbrush and other hiding places have been removed, they will begin to feel vulnerable. Thoughts of living some other place may soon appear very attractive to them.
It is fun to watch these furry little critters – from a distance – as they scamper about with their tails held straight up like radio antennae. Their bird-like chirp on a bright summer morning can be a delightful sound. While they can be awfully cute, their extensive burrowing can also be an awful nuisance to homeowners.
Keep in mind that some chipmunks have had starring roles in Hollywood, and if you come across any named Alvin, Simon and Theodore, you should ask them to sing.
