Chipmunks

[galt_57]

This year they are everywhere. They seem to be eating the squash plants I just planted. What do they eat?

Thanks

[OmManiPadmeOmelet]

Bird seed...

You could always box trap and relocate them.

I've never been able to bring myself to kill chimpmunks. They are just too damned cute!

Good box trap bait for rodents is a mix of peanut butter and oatmeal.

[johuxm]

I posted this in a new thread....thought I would repeat it here...

And if the "too cute" thing bothers you....remember they damage you septic system, foundation of your house, sidewalks.....and they als carry diseases that can be transferred to your pets....and they carr ticks and fleas....they are not "cute" to me.....just a brown and bi mouse!

My father and I have found a method or two of control that I thought would share.

These are very pesky animals to us....we live in a very rural midwes area surrounded by fields. They dig lots of tunnels and caus damage....

The first thing you must do is get rid of your current population.

Note that mothballs, poisons, gasses....or anything like that do no work at all. Niether do the home remedys of chewing gum or castor oil From our experience, trapping (like moles) is THEE only way.

There are live traps and kill traps you can use....some say they wor well.

I personally don't want to drive chipmunks 20 miles away....especiall since i have already "eliminated" over 20 of them.....in less than months. So live traps are out...and the kill traps are expensive.

(Note....this method may not be for the squeemish)

So Dad and I (and a few contribiting sources) have "perfected" thi method

1.) Get an empty watercooler jug w/a cap....I actually use a smalle one from an old dog watering thing...its smaller and no cap...bu works. Keep it filled with water next to your door.

2.) Watch for the chipmunks....they come out of the tunnels in th later afternoon....especially on sunny days....especially 1-4 day after you mow.

3.) When you spot one....go and get your jug....

4.) Follow the chipmunk to see which tunnel it went into

5.) Put water jug into hole (allowing water to go into hole)

6.) The action of the water will actually pull the chipmunk into th jug....some will be too big to fit into the jug....they will drow trying to get into the jug. The others will almost "pop" right int the jug

7.) Turn jug over and fill with water (but not enough to let chipmun out) and put the cap on. Chipmunk will eventually drown...then I bur them.

++++There are ways to speed up the drowning...you will figure that out Sometimes...getting them out of the jug is a challenge....you will ge that part too+++++

After almost 15 years of dealing with them....this controls the proble better than anything.....once you have eliminated your curren infestation...

Control the food supply. They eat anything...but we noticed tha eliminating bird food really helped. They loved the seeds. We als noted that getting rid of our "bug zapper" was a good idea...they woul sit underneath it waiting for food.

I have personally noticed that less chipmunks are present if you kee your lawn a little taller (than you may prefer)

This will help keep "new" groups from moving in

-- johuxm