Get a cat! LOL!!

Just curious, what kind of havoc do they wreak? I've seen squirrels at our birdfeeder and chipmunks darting across the road, but haven't noticed any garden damage from them.

From Ohio State's Extension Service Web site:
"Chipmunks may consume flower bulbs, fruits, seeds, and seedlings. When present in large numbers, they can also cause structural damage by burrowing under patios, stairs, retention walls, or foundations. Most often chipmunks are simply a nuisance problem."

In my gardens, I know they have been feasting on my hostas. I'm applying Deer Off between monsoons. I don't see them that often, so it's hard to know exactly what damage is theirs. The burrowing issue is a big one, though.

And I *do* have a cat, but he's not allowed outside except when I'm out there, and the chipmunk isn't like to show up when a human is present.

Ann

Try pouring human urine around any future entrances you find. This works like a charm on groundhogs, and will probably do well for chipmunks too.

Here is a link that might be useful: Getting rid of groundhogs

Right. I'll just dig into my human urine collection -- eeyew! Okay, I know you're serious. I've seen products that claim to smell like coyote or fox urine -- I'd be a little more likely to try one of those first. Has anyone used these remedies before? Have they worked? Do they smell obnoxious enough that you didn't want to go near your own garden?

annld:

I've used fox pee in an attempt to ward off devil bunnies that swallowed my miniature roses. The pee didn't smell bad. However, I swear, the bunnies laughed at me. At least, it didn't stop them from bunnying down on my miniature roses.

Ann, you just put a jar in the bathroom and ask the menfolk to fill it. Not smelly at all. You only need a few ounces. But if it makes you feel better to pay money for something that smells much worse, nobody's going to stop you.

I guess after raising five kids, a little pee isn't about to intimidate me. ;o)

The surest (is that a word) way to be rid of these pesky little cuties is to trap them and take them for a ride. Get a small animal live trap, bait it with nuts or crackers and peanut butter and set it in a sheltered place. In the last 2 weeks, DH has taken 5 chippies and 3 squirrels for a 6 mile ride to the beautiful thick woods. Considering the price of gas these days, these critters are lucky that he is such a soft hearted guy.

Trapping! What a great idea! I always get a little squeamish when my kitty brings me his prey, so this would definitely be more humane.

And no, the chipmunks around here aren't afraid of humans at all. I've had them run within a few feet of me to get to the bird feeders. Repeatedly.

M

I think my chipmunk(s) drowned in the recent monsoon. Or he headed for higher ground. I haven't seen him in quite awhile. The same thing happened to the groundhog that lived under my shed three years ago. The rains sent him looking for a new home. So I'm thinking maybe all we need to do is run the garden hose into their dens periodically!

P.S. If you do trap them for release elsewhere, make sure you take them several miles away. They have an uncanny ability to find their way home if they're not dropped off far enough away.

i have sqirrels problem for years, they dig and burry pecan nuts, the problem is that when the pecan nuts start to grow and i have to pull them out. Not all the time the baby pecan would come out of the ground easily, i have to dig them up to remove. This year i was accidently left the back' storage house open, stray cats get in and start a whole family. I notice ever since i have no problem with squirrels at all! the family of 6 stray cats seem to do a good jobs of keeping creatures out.

Order the RatZapper or a couple of them, and a bunch of alkaline D cell batteries. It really works. A buddy of mine has two of them and he baits it with just small dog kibble...like 3 or 4 pieces. He has zapped about 20 of them so far..and counting. Previously he was doing the water bucket trick, but that stunk and was messy. The zapper is quick, efficient, and easy to use. He made some covers for them with an opening on one end...plywood I think. That is just to keep the rain out of the electronics on it. You can buy them too from the zapper manufacturer. That would be easier.

This may not be the best choice if you have small curious children though. Always read and heed the warnings on these devices.

Another solution for chipmunks and squirrels, but please be warned you have to put out of reach of pets & children, is the green cubed rat/mice poison. I live in the mountains and have a large population of both...probably from all of the city folk dropping them off after trapping them. I put them out in the spring and my population stays undercontrol. I don't have any small children & I place the poison outside the boundary of our dogs invisible fence and I also hide it among old brush piles that I know the critters frequent.

Besides I like to keep some chipmunks because I read where chipmunks keep moles & voles undercontrol. If you have one you don't have the other. Also, our english setter loves to chase the chipmunks and digs very large holes trying to catch them...I plant a shrub in each hole so he is saving me a lot of time and energy because our mountain if full of rocks.

I have ordered a Rat Zapper and should know in a few days whether the chipmunks fall for it. I hate doing that, because I really do think they're cute, but I'm afraid the ground over their den is about to cave in. They're living under my favorite garden! My cat did catch one the other day -- I was so proud. However, I think the little bugger got away. Oh well, Rat Zapper it is. At least it'll kill them quickly and cleanly. Hopefully I won't start having nightmares about chipmunks coming back from the grave...!