How to Trap Chipmunks

Chipmunks are popular in cartoons; less so with homeowners.

Chipmunks in real life are not always the cute, cuddly creatures of Disney's Chip and Dale or Alvin and his two brothers. They undermine home foundations, carry diseases and destroy gardens. Live trapping of chipmunks leaves the homeowner with the problem of what to do with the animal. It may be against the local laws to transport the animal to another location, so using a trap that kills the chipmunk ensures that the pest is removed forever.

Things You'll Need

• Spring Rat Trap
• Bait
• Shoebox

Instructions

1. Observe the chipmunk and determine the locations of the tunnels that he uses. They tend to be under rocks, in a brushpile or other protected locations.

2. Set out small portions of food over several days so that the chipmunk gets used to a particular type of bait. Peanut butter mixed with birdseed or smeared on a small bit of apple are favorites. Experiment to find out what attracts chipmunks in your area the best.

3. Place the bait on a standard spring rat trap that is cocked and ready to go.

4. Cut the end off from a shoe box large enough to accommodate the rat trap and allow it to spring when stepped on by the chipmunk.

5. Set the rat trap near the entrance of the tunnel in the same spot you've placed the previous bait and place the shoe box over it. This prevents birds from triggering the trap.

6. Check the trap every few hours. Clearing away the trap should be done as soon as possible to keep the other chipmunks from realizing the relationship between the trap and bad things happening.

7. Set another trap in a different location if you have more than one area experiencing a chipmunk problem. This keeps the animals from learning to avoid a particular location. Also, vary the bait to keep the animal from associating a certain food with bad things.

Tips & Warnings

• Chipmunks are very sensitive to human odor. Always wear rubber gloves when handling any part of the bait or trap. Setting food in front of the shoe box may encourage the chipmunk to go in for more.

• Always be careful when handling dead animals. Use rubber gloves to protect yourself from flea bites.

References

• Ohio State University; The Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus) in the Home, Yard, and Garden; Gary Gao, et al.

Resources

• Amazon.com: Victor M201 Rat Trap