If you’re wondering how to get rid of chipmunks humanely and for good, you’re not alone.
Chipmunks may look cute, but they dig, chew, and raid gardens which adds up fast when there are several on a property. In fact, populations often average 2–4 animals per acre. This is a small number, but can still cause outsized damage when food and shelter are easy to find.
This guide explains safe, practical steps you can take now and when it makes sense to call a wildlife removal expert in Manchester for long-term prevention.
Recognizing a Chipmunk Problem
Before setting traps or sealing holes, confirm you’re dealing with chipmunks. They’re five to six inches long with distinct black-and-white striping along the back (and facial stripes), and they spend more time on the ground than tree squirrels.
Common signs:
- Small, cleanly dug holes (about two inches wide) in lawns or beds
- Bulbs or seedlings disturbed, seed hulls scattered near patios and decks
- High-pitched chattering near stone walls or stairs
- Burrow entrances near foundations, sheds, or walkways
Catching the problem early helps you avoid larger tunnel networks and repeat damage.
Why Chipmunks Are Attracted to Your Property
Chipmunks are opportunists. They move in when your yard provides:
- Food: spilled birdseed, unsecured trash, vegetable beds, fallen fruit
- Cover: stacked firewood, brush, rock walls, dense groundcovers
- Shelter: unsealed gaps under steps, decks, sheds, or along foundations
As late summer and fall arrive in New Hampshire, activity typically increases as chipmunks cache food, so prevention pays off most this time of year.
Safe and Humane Removal Methods
At MVM Pest Control, we prioritize humane, eco-conscious control. The most reliable approach blends targeted removal with exclusion and habitat modification so chipmunks don’t just come right back.
1) Live trapping (with care)
Place live traps near active burrows or along runways and bait with sunflower seeds or peanut butter. Check traps frequently and handle animals humanely. Note that trapping alone is rarely a permanent fix; pair it with exclusion and cleanup to prevent re-entry.
2) Exclusion and structural fixes
- Seal gaps around foundations, steps, and utility lines (use ¼-inch hardware cloth or appropriate sealants).
- Screen vents and cover open drainpipes or basement windows.
- Use buried hardware cloth to protect beds and bulbs; install mesh around decks.
3) Professional help
If burrows keep appearing, a pro inspection can spot hidden access points, design a property-wide exclusion plan, and ensure any capture or removal follows best practices for safety and compliance.
Preventing Chipmunks from Coming Back
Remove food sources
- Sweep up birdseed under feeders; consider seed catchers or “no-waste” blends
- Use chipmunk-resistant feeders and secure garbage lids
- Harvest produce and fallen fruit promptly
Landscape smarter
- Keep shrubs trimmed and grass cut to reduce cover
- Create gravel or stone borders along foundations and garden edges
- Consider motion-activated sprinklers to disrupt foraging
Tighten the envelope
- Seal cracks and utility penetrations; repair crawlspace doors and skirting
- Add foundation screens where appropriate
- Cover downspouts and low vents with fitted, pest-rated screens
While most chipmunk damage is relatively small in dollar terms, it’s still worth addressing to protect stairs, patios, and foundations. Most reported losses are under $200, but the structural risk justifies prompt control and prevention.
DIY vs. Professional Chipmunk Control
DIY can work when activity is light: a couple of live traps, sealed gaps, and tidier landscaping may be enough. But DIY can falter when:
- Multiple burrow systems exist (you remove one animal and another moves in)
- Access points are hard to find
- Repellents wash away or lose potency
Wildlife removal experts bring site-wide planning, materials rated for exclusion, and methods that reduce harm to non-target wildlife, plus accountability if activity resumes.
Why Choose MVM Pest Control
With 80+ years of combined experience, MVM Pest Control helps New Hampshire homeowners remove chipmunks humanely and effectively and then keep them out. We provide thorough inspections, identify root causes (food, cover, and access), and build prevention first into your plan.
We serve Manchester, Concord, Portsmouth, and surrounding areas and we offer free inspections so you can make an informed choice.
Conclusion: Protect Your Home, the Humane Way
Getting rid of chipmunks isn’t about waging war. It’s about removing what attracts them, blocking how they get in, and dealing humanely with the animals already on site. Combine cleanup, exclusion, and targeted removal and you’ll solve the problem for the long term.
If you’d like a professional plan tailored to your property, MVM Pest Control is ready to help. Give us a call today to get a free quote.
