Do you have problems with squirrels?
They may look like tree-dwelling squirrels with their tiny noses, puffy cheeks, and bushy tails, but chipmunks are not baby squirrels. Believe it or not, the two are different but related animals. Squirrels are ground squirrels; they are the burrowing cousins of the larger tree climbing species. This, of course, explains the pockmarked appearance of your garden lot. These furry creatures dig and build their houses and shelters underground. This is what sets them apart from their tree-loving relatives, who spend most of their time in trees.
Apart from their choice of real estate and their relative smallness, chipmunks differ from their cousins by possessing identifying stripes. Chipmunks are distinguished by two wide black stripes that run from the top of the head to the rounded buttocks. This is the most telling sign that the creature chewing on the spring flower bulb is a chipmunk. That, and the shrill “chip chip” response they make when you rush toward them with newspaper in hand.
Approaches to squirrel control
Before deciding how to get rid of chipmunks, it is important to know their habits. Chipmunks are great eaters. They spend their lives eating, searching, and storing food. What is the key to getting rid of chipmunks? The key is figuring out what chipmunks eat. Squirrels eat everything from grass to pizza dough. Their main diet generally includes fungi, plants, nuts, grains, seeds, and some other insects. If worst comes to worst, chipmunks have also been known to catch small birds and small rodents such as shrews, although they do not actively seek out these resistant sources of protein; they are content to search the ground for edible finds. Chipmunks are not born to be climbers, but have been observed climbing roofs, poles, trees, and bird feeders to collect seeds, acorns, and nuts.
Aside from food, chipmunks are also wary of wide open spaces, which is not surprising since they live underground. They tend to stay in shady areas even while foraging for food. Their burrows are generally built in the shade of solid matter such as a tree stump or their porch. In your attempt to eradicate chipmunks, these are two weaknesses that you should take advantage of to put an end to your chipmunk problems.
* Hint for the reader * Several readers have had success with the “cube method”. Here’s Jonathan’s original advice: “You can get a bucket of water and put sunflower seeds on top. Make a ramp to get to the bucket. It’s a surefire method – the squirrel can’t get out.”
Get rid of squirrels
Now that you know your weaknesses, it’s time to put your knowledge to use. As much as these furry critters wreak havoc in your garden, one can hardly think of killing them. There are many other ways to get rid of squirrels, so get creative.
An inexpensive option to control squirrels is to have a pet. In the urban jungle, cats can be an effective (and fuzzy) weapon against these energetic furballs. If you’re feeling adventurous, choose from badgers, weasels, or hawks. These are the natural predators of chipmunks. They stalk their prey in the shade and the poor squirrel will have no idea what happened until it hits the predator’s stomach.
For a less morbid option, live squirrel traps are effective removal tools sold at most hardware stores. You can get a couple of comfort-sized traps and just add seeds, nuts, oatmeal, or whatever your squirrel likes. Secure traps in shady areas or where your enemy hangs out frequently. Patience is not even required because where there is food, squirrels will come. Once trapped, drive to the other end of the city and let the creatures out. Better yet, drop them off at the nearest national park.
If these don’t work, just give these hairballs some of their own medicine. The trick to getting these squirrels out of your house voluntarily is to limit their food supply. You don’t have to bare your garden; Just sprinkle pepper solution or hot sauce on your plants and the places where your furry friend is staying and they will surely move on.
Still, if these tricks don’t work, your squirrels are a tough bunch. Just dial in pest control and invest in a professional chipmunk extermination program. Now that’s a surefire way to get rid of chipmunks.