How to Get Rid of Chipmunks in Walls: Effective Strategies and Prevention Tips
How to Get Rid of Chipmunks in Walls?
The safest and most effective way to get rid of chipmunks in walls is to call pest control professionals.
They have the knowledge and tools to safely remove the chipmunks without causing further damage.
Live traps can also be used to catch and relocate the chipmunks.
Once removed, it is important to seal up entry points and repair any damage to prevent future infestations.
Additionally, keeping landscaping trimmed and using plants like daffodils and garlic can help repel chipmunks.
Checking for cracks or gaps in the home’s exterior and installing deep fences can also prevent chipmunk burrowing.
Finally, avoid placing bird feeders in easily accessible places to avoid attracting chipmunks.
Key Points:
- Calling pest control professionals is the safest and most effective way to remove chipmunks in walls.
- Live traps can be used to catch and relocate the chipmunks.
- Sealing up entry points and repairing any damage is important to prevent future infestations.
- Using landscaping methods such as trimming and using repellant plants can help repel chipmunks.
- Checking for cracks or gaps in the home’s exterior and installing deep fences can prevent chipmunk burrowing.
- Avoid placing bird feeders in easily accessible places to avoid attracting chipmunks.
Did You Know?
1. Chipmunks have cheek pouches that can stretch to three times the size of their heads, allowing them to carry large quantities of food to their burrows.
2. The scientific name for chipmunks is Tamias, which is derived from the Greek word “tamias,” meaning “steward” or “treasurer,” referring to their habit of storing food.
3. Chipmunks are excellent climbers and can scale trees and walls effortlessly thanks to their sharp claws and agile bodies.
4. Chipmunks are not only skilled hoarders but also talented escape artists. They can squeeze through very small openings, making it a challenge to keep them out of buildings and walls.
5. Chipmunks are quite territorial, and males will mark their territory by leaving scent trails using secretions from glands on their faces and bodies. These scent markers communicate information about their presence and territorial boundaries to other chipmunks.
Call Pest Control Professionals
Chipmunks can be a nuisance when they find their way into your home’s walls. Not only can they cause considerable damage by chewing through walls, wiring, and insulation, but they can also introduce parasites such as fleas and ticks into your living space – posing a potential threat to your health and wellbeing.
In situations where chipmunks have made their way into the walls, the safest and most effective method of removal is to call pest control professionals. These experts have the knowledge, experience, and proper tools to safely and humanely remove chipmunks from your walls without causing further damage to your home.
When dealing with a chipmunk infestation in your walls, it is crucial to remember that handling the situation yourself can lead to more issues. Trying to remove chipmunks without professional assistance may result in injury to yourself or the animal, and may also not address the root cause of the problem.
Pest control professionals will not only help eliminate the chipmunks from your walls but also provide guidance on how to prevent them from returning in the future.
- calling pest control professionals for chipmunk removal
- potential threat to health and wellbeing due to parasites
- professional assistance for safe and humane removal
- preventing chipmunks from returning.
Use Live Traps For Chipmunk Removal
If you prefer a more humane approach to removing chipmunks from your walls, live traps can be an effective solution. Live traps are designed to safely catch and contain chipmunks without causing harm to the animal. When using live traps, it is essential to place them strategically near the areas where chipmunks are likely to enter or exit the walls. Additionally, baiting the traps with chipmunk-friendly food such as sunflower seeds or peanut butter can increase the chances of capture.
Once a chipmunk is trapped, it is important to handle the situation carefully. Remember that chipmunks are wildlife and have the potential to bite or scratch if they feel threatened. To release the chipmunk, it is recommended to do so in a suitable natural habitat away from residential areas, ensuring that the chipmunk has enough food and water to survive.
- Place live traps strategically near chipmunk entry/exit points
- Use chipmunk-friendly food as bait (e.g., sunflower seeds, peanut butter)
- Handle trapped chipmunks with caution to avoid bites or scratches
- Release chipmunks in a suitable natural habitat away from residential areas, providing sufficient food and water.
Prevent Reentry With One-Way Excluder Doors
Preventing chipmunks from reentering your walls is as important as removing them. One effective method is using one-way excluder doors. These specially designed doors allow chipmunks to exit but prevent them from returning. After the chipmunks have left, seal up the entry points using materials like steel wool or caulk. This ensures a long-term solution by preventing chipmunks from finding their way back into your home.
Seal Entry Points And Repair Damage
To prevent future chipmunk infestations in your walls, it is crucial to identify and seal all potential entry points. Here are some steps to follow:
- Inspect the exterior of your home carefully for cracks, gaps, or any other openings that chipmunks can exploit.
- Pay close attention to gaps around utility lines, air conditioning units, or windows.
- Use materials such as wire mesh or expanding foam to seal these entry points effectively.
After removing chipmunks and sealing entry points, it is important to assess and repair any damage caused by these critters. Here’s what you should do:
- Check for chewed wires and repair them promptly. This will prevent potential electrocution hazards.
- Replace any damaged insulation to maintain proper temperature regulation in your home.
- Patch up holes in the walls to maintain the structural integrity of your home.
Remember, addressing these repairs promptly will help maintain the structural integrity of your home and prevent future infestations.
- Inspect the exterior of your home for cracks, gaps, or openings
- Pay attention to gaps around utility lines, air conditioning units, or windows
- Use wire mesh or expanding foam to seal entry points
- Repair chewed wires promptly
- Replace damaged insulation
- Patch up holes in the walls.
Maintain Trimmed Landscaping
One way to discourage chipmunks from entering your home is by keeping your landscaping trimmed and well-maintained. Chipmunks are attracted to cluttered and overgrown areas that provide them with hiding spots and easy access to your home. Be sure to regularly trim bushes, remove overgrown vegetation, and maintain a well-manicured lawn. By eliminating potential hiding spots near your home, you are reducing the likelihood of chipmunks finding their way into your walls.
Repel Chipmunks With Strategic Planting
Another effective method to deter chipmunks from invading your walls is through strategic planting. Certain plants, such as daffodils and garlic, have strong scents that chipmunks find unpleasant. By strategically planting these types of plants near your home’s perimeter, you can create a natural barrier that discourages chipmunks from getting too close. Additionally, incorporating plants that chipmunks do not find appealing, such as marigolds or hyacinths, into your garden can help keep them at bay.
Dealing with chipmunks in your walls requires both removal and prevention strategies. Calling pest control professionals is the safest and most effective way to remove chipmunks from your walls. If you prefer a humane approach, live traps can be used to catch and relocate chipmunks. Preventing reentry by using one-way excluder doors and sealing entry points is crucial. Keeping your landscaping trimmed and strategically planting repellent plants can help discourage chipmunks from approaching your home. By following these strategies, you can successfully get rid of chipmunks in your walls and prevent future infestations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get rid of chipmunks permanently?
To permanently get rid of chipmunks, it is important to take several steps. First, remove the bird feeder, as it attracts chipmunks with food. Pruning and cleaning up trees and bushes will eliminate hiding spots. Installing an L-shaped footer under a patio, deck, or walkway will prevent chipmunks from burrowing. Removing wood piles eliminates potential nesting sites. Planting bulbs inside wire cages will protect them from being dug up. Consider using humane traps to capture and remove chipmunks. Lastly, try using a rodent repellent to discourage them from returning. By employing these strategies, you can effectively and permanently get rid of chipmunks.
What do chipmunks hate the most?
Chipmunks harbor an intense distaste for the smell of predator urine. The stench of animals such as foxes, coyotes, or even domestic cats can drive chipmunks away. Additionally, chipmunks despise the overpowering smell of ammonia, making it an effective deterrent. By placing ammonia-soaked rags or cotton balls strategically around your garden, you can keep these critters at bay and protect your plants from their mischief.
What can I pour down chipmunk holes to get rid of them?
Another effective method to get rid of chipmunks is by pouring a mixture of vinegar and water down their holes. Chipmunks dislike the strong scent of vinegar, making it a natural repellent. Additionally, you can try using cayenne pepper mixed with water, as its spicy scent will deter the chipmunks from returning to their holes.
What are chipmunks most afraid of?
Chipmunks are most afraid of their natural predators, which span across various species. Chipmunks constantly live in fear of owls, hawks, weasels, foxes, coyotes, raccoons, bobcats, lynxes, cats, and dogs, as well as their own squirrel relatives. These predators pose a constant threat to chipmunks’ safety, causing them to be constantly alert and on guard to ensure their survival.
