Chipmunk burrows

[Pat McC.]

We've seen chipmunks and their burrows in our front yard and we were
willing to ignore them till today. We just discovered a burrow
entrance right up against the brick steps leading up to our front
door. This is an area where we just had a French drain installed to
correct drainage problems, and it's covered with sand, so it's easy to
burrow into. They may also be burrowing underneath the steps for all I
know. We're worried their tunnels and burrows might weaken the ground
and cause structural problems in our walkway or steps.

We don't really want to eliminate the chipmunks, but we really need to
prevent them from burrowing in this particular area. I tried putting
some stones over the burrow entrance, but they've already moved the
stones away. I was thinking of putting mothballs into the tunnel, or
pouring ammonia down it in hopes that they'd move to another spot.

Suggestions? I've thought of live trapping and relocating them, but
that would be a last resort. And we're in a suburban area, so shooting
would not be an option even if we did want to eliminate them (which we
don't).

[Joseph Meehan]

Post by Pat McC.
We've seen chipmunks and their burrows in our front yard and we were
willing to ignore them till today. We just discovered a burrow
entrance right up against the brick steps leading up to our front
door. This is an area where we just had a French drain installed to
correct drainage problems, and it's covered with sand, so it's easy to
burrow into. They may also be burrowing underneath the steps for all I
know. We're worried their tunnels and burrows might weaken the ground
and cause structural problems in our walkway or steps.
We don't really want to eliminate the chipmunks, but we really need to
prevent them from burrowing in this particular area. I tried putting
some stones over the burrow entrance, but they've already moved the
stones away. I was thinking of putting mothballs into the tunnel, or
pouring ammonia down it in hopes that they'd move to another spot.
Suggestions? I've thought of live trapping and relocating them, but
that would be a last resort. And we're in a suburban area, so shooting
would not be an option even if we did want to eliminate them (which we
don't).

I don't think you need worry about structural problems. The steps
should be fine. However, what kind of foundation do you have? Is it a slab
at grade, a full basement with cement floor, or do you have some craw space
without a full cement floor?

I have found out that they can go down three or four feet, that would
get them under the wall and footing of many craw spaces. Yea, they got
under mine and into the craw space. They did no damage and were gone by the
time I found out.

They are no longer in the neighborhood. The neighborhood cats have seen
to that. They have also reduced, but not eliminated the mice, which are
staying out of my home, after a few days of checking out my attic.

Good Luck

[tomcas]

Post by Pat McC.
We've seen chipmunks and their burrows in our front yard and we were
willing to ignore them till today. We just discovered a burrow
entrance right up against the brick steps leading up to our front
door. This is an area where we just had a French drain installed to
correct drainage problems, and it's covered with sand, so it's easy to
burrow into. They may also be burrowing underneath the steps for all I
know. We're worried their tunnels and burrows might weaken the ground
and cause structural problems in our walkway or steps.
We don't really want to eliminate the chipmunks, but we really need to
prevent them from burrowing in this particular area. I tried putting
some stones over the burrow entrance, but they've already moved the
stones away. I was thinking of putting mothballs into the tunnel, or
pouring ammonia down it in hopes that they'd move to another spot.
Suggestions? I've thought of live trapping and relocating them, but
that would be a last resort. And we're in a suburban area, so shooting
would not be an option even if we did want to eliminate them (which we
don't).

The mothballs will work. The chipmunks will just move on. At least mine
did.

[b***@bugs.com]

Try using Brown Cider Vinegar in the burrows and the surrounding areas. That
will make them move to another area as well.

[Kit Walker]

Post by Pat McC.
We've seen chipmunks and their burrows in our front yard and we were
willing to ignore them till today. We just discovered a burrow
entrance right up against the brick steps leading up to our front
door. This is an area where we just had a French drain installed to
correct drainage problems, and it's covered with sand, so it's easy to
burrow into. They may also be burrowing underneath the steps for all I
know. We're worried their tunnels and burrows might weaken the ground
and cause structural problems in our walkway or steps.
We don't really want to eliminate the chipmunks, but we really need to
prevent them from burrowing in this particular area. I tried putting
some stones over the burrow entrance, but they've already moved the
stones away. I was thinking of putting mothballs into the tunnel, or
pouring ammonia down it in hopes that they'd move to another spot.
Suggestions? I've thought of live trapping and relocating them, but
that would be a last resort. And we're in a suburban area, so shooting
would not be an option even if we did want to eliminate them (which we
don't).

You can deal with this like a gardener or as a farmer.

Personally I choose:
http://www.rodenator.com/

[Chuck Yerkes]

Post by Kit Walker

Post by Pat McC.
Suggestions? I've thought of live trapping and relocating them, but
that would be a last resort. And we're in a suburban area, so shooting
would not be an option even if we did want to eliminate them (which we
don't).

You can deal with this like a gardener or as a farmer.
http://www.rodenator.com/

I love that site... Was watching it at work when a guy installing
some computers overheard us and came in.

Said: "watch how tight they clench their knees... Seems it's easy
to fill mystery holes with O2 + Propane and light it, but you don't
know where that burrow GOES." Or what lights at the other end.

Chipmunk repellant (moth balls and stinky stuff), they're mostly
harmless in my experience.

A cat will do it for you too.

[SteveB]

Post by Pat McC.
We've seen chipmunks and their burrows in our front yard and we were
willing to ignore them till today. We just discovered a burrow
entrance right up against the brick steps leading up to our front
door. This is an area where we just had a French drain installed to
correct drainage problems, and it's covered with sand, so it's easy to
burrow into. They may also be burrowing underneath the steps for all I
know. We're worried their tunnels and burrows might weaken the ground
and cause structural problems in our walkway or steps.
We don't really want to eliminate the chipmunks, but we really need to
prevent them from burrowing in this particular area. I tried putting
some stones over the burrow entrance, but they've already moved the
stones away. I was thinking of putting mothballs into the tunnel, or
pouring ammonia down it in hopes that they'd move to another spot.
Suggestions? I've thought of live trapping and relocating them, but
that would be a last resort. And we're in a suburban area, so shooting
would not be an option even if we did want to eliminate them (which we
don't).

As a child in the Nevada desert, we would flood their burrows, and then
capture the escapees for pets. You don't have to completely try to kill
them, just run some water in, and cut it off, then repeat until they come
out. They will get tired of being flooded, and move soon. Even if just a
short distance. You could just flood the burrows that were a bother.

Steve

[Lost-In-Translation]

This post might be inappropriate. Click to display it.

[Pat McC.]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm glad to hear that chipmunks are
unlikely to cause structural damage to the steps. And we do have a
full basement with concrete walls and floor, so I guess I don't have
to worry about them burrowing into the house. But I still would rather
not have them tunneling under our front walk, so we'll probably try
putting vinegar, mothballs, and/or a hose down this particular burrow
in hopes of convincing them that they'd be happier living farther away
from the house. Not sure about the suggestion of having the
household's Alpha Male "mark" the area--I guess it's worth a try and
it would cost nothing. But I think we'll skip the propane/oxygen
"Rodenator" (entertaining though it might be).

Thanks again,
Pat

Post by Pat McC.
We've seen chipmunks and their burrows in our front yard and we were
willing to ignore them till today. We just discovered a burrow
entrance right up against the brick steps leading up to our front
door. This is an area where we just had a French drain installed to
correct drainage problems, and it's covered with sand, so it's easy to
burrow into. They may also be burrowing underneath the steps for all I
know. We're worried their tunnels and burrows might weaken the

ground

Post by Pat McC.
and cause structural problems in our walkway or steps.
We don't really want to eliminate the chipmunks, but we really need to
prevent them from burrowing in this particular area. I tried putting
some stones over the burrow entrance, but they've already moved the
stones away. I was thinking of putting mothballs into the tunnel, or
pouring ammonia down it in hopes that they'd move to another spot.
Suggestions? I've thought of live trapping and relocating them, but
that would be a last resort. And we're in a suburban area, so

shooting

Post by Pat McC.
would not be an option even if we did want to eliminate them (which we
don't).

[Pat McC.]

Oops--Just posted this in the wrong thread, so will repost it here.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm glad to hear that chipmunks are
unlikely to cause structural damage to the steps. And we do have a
full basement with concrete walls and floor, so I guess I don't have
to worry about them burrowing into the house. But I still would rather
not have them tunneling under our front walk, so we'll probably try
putting vinegar, mothballs, and/or a hose down this particular burrow
in hopes of convincing them that they'd be happier living farther away
from the house. Not sure about the suggestion of having the
household's Alpha Male "mark" the area--I guess it's worth a try and
it would cost nothing. But I think we'll skip the propane/oxygen
"Rodenator" (entertaining though it might be).

Thanks again,

Pat McC.

Post by Pat McC.
We've seen chipmunks and their burrows in our front yard and we were
willing to ignore them till today. We just discovered a burrow
entrance right up against the brick steps leading up to our front
door. This is an area where we just had a French drain installed to
correct drainage problems, and it's covered with sand, so it's easy to
burrow into. They may also be burrowing underneath the steps for all I
know. We're worried their tunnels and burrows might weaken the

ground

Post by Pat McC.
and cause structural problems in our walkway or steps.
We don't really want to eliminate the chipmunks, but we really need to
prevent them from burrowing in this particular area. I tried putting
some stones over the burrow entrance, but they've already moved the
stones away. I was thinking of putting mothballs into the tunnel, or
pouring ammonia down it in hopes that they'd move to another spot.
Suggestions? I've thought of live trapping and relocating them, but
that would be a last resort. And we're in a suburban area, so

shooting

Post by Pat McC.
would not be an option even if we did want to eliminate them (which we
don't).

[masterg]

Post by Kit Walker
http://www.rodenator.com

Mine are burrowing under my house. I do have a full basement, but we are on
sand. I'm just afraid about the instability, so I'm going to try mothballs,
cider vinegar and a product I found called Plantskydd to keep them away.

--
for full context, visit https://www.homeownershub.com/maintenance/chipmunk-burrows-529574-.htm

[JerryMouse]

Post by Pat McC.
We've seen chipmunks and their burrows in our front yard and we were
willing to ignore them till today. We just discovered a burrow
entrance right up against the brick steps leading up to our front
door. This is an area where we just had a French drain installed to
correct drainage problems, and it's covered with sand, so it's easy to
burrow into. They may also be burrowing underneath the steps for all I
know. We're worried their tunnels and burrows might weaken the ground
and cause structural problems in our walkway or steps.

Don't worry about it. No chipmunk is going to build a home that's going to
FALL DOWN on HIM!

He's got a lot more to worry about than you.