Ground Squirrels Chipmunks

Ground Squirrel – Chipmunk, is the name for any squirrel-like rodent species of the genus Tamias in the family Sciuridae. Around twenty five different species fall under this name. They are mostly located in the North American continent, although one species is native to Eurasian region.

Eastern chipmunks mate in spring and again in summer, producing litters of four or five young two times every year. At the same time, western chipmunks only breed once a year. The young emerge from the burrow after six weeks and go out on their own within the next 2 weeks.

Ground squirrels have several functions in the forest environment. Their activities harvesting and collecting tree seeds play an important role in seedling establishment. Ground squirrels consume many different kinds of fungi, including those involved in symbiotic mycorrhizal associations with trees. Ground squirrels and are an important vehicle for dispersal of the spores of subterranean truffles which have co-evolved with these and other mycophagous mammals and thus lost the ability to disperse their spores through the air.

The animal build expansive chipmunk burrows which can be more than ten feet (~3m) in length with several well-hidden entrances. The sleeping quarters are very extremely clean as shells and feces are stored in refuse tunnels.

Chipmunks can be recognized by the dark and lighter stripes on the head and back. They can be mixed up with some of the striped ground squirrels, but chipmunks are smaller, bear distinct facial markings. They also have 5 darker lines on their backs, including a very distinct, central line that extends forward towards the head. Ground squirrels can be distinguished because do not have markings on the head.

Chipmunk Diet: Chipmunks eat grain (they love corn), nuts (acorns are top choice), seeds (for example sunflower), mushrooms/fungi, insects (bugs and caterpillars) and some carrion (deceased animal tissue), although this is a very rare item in their diet.

Ground Squirrel Damage: Chipmunks are very territorial and rarely become abundant enough to cause a great deal of damage. The animal will gnaw into bags with dog food or bird seed. They will also unearth and consume flower bulbs. Sometimes they will gnaw the bark from shrubbery or enter garbage containers.

Ground Squirrels Chipmunks Control

Repellents

Naphthalene chipmunk control is a common method of repelling the anima. Naphthalene (naftalin) flakes (“moth flakes”) show certain signs of success with repelling chipmunks from attics, summer cabins, and storage areas only when deployed in a liberal fashion (~2kg of naphthalene flakes per 200 sq meters [1.0 to 1.2 kg/100 m2]). Use extreme caution, however, in buildings where humans dwell or work, as the odor is often objectionable or irritating to humans as well as pets.

Fumigants - Chipmunk Control with Fumigants

Fumigants are generally shown to be ineffective because of the problems with locating the openings to chipmunk burrows. The burrows are also complex and this does not make the application easier.

One of the chemicals that may be used for chipmunk fumigation is Aluminum phosphide. It is a Restricted-Use-Pesticide that is permitted and registered in many states for the control of burrowing rodents. It is available in a form of tablets, which when dropped into the burrow reacts with the moisture in the ground and generates very toxic phosphine gas.

Please note that Aluminum phosphide, cannot be used in or even near human occupied buildings because there is a great danger of the fumigant poisoning air in the buildings.

There are several Gas cartridges that are registered for the control of burrowing rodents and are available from your local supply centers, seed catalogs, hardware stores, or the USDA-APHIS-ADC program. Carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide gases are released while the cartridges burn and he rodents die from asphyxiation. Use with extreme caution and refer to instructions provided with the item.

Trapping

Common rat snap traps or Live-catch wire-mesh traps can be used to trap chipmunks. Common live-trap models include the Tomahawk and Havahart traps. Avoid direct contact with trapped chipmunks as they may be disease vectors and harmful to humans.

A variety of different baits can be used to lure the animal into live traps. This includes nuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, raisins, prune slices, cereals, grains or peanut butter. Live traps are offered by local hardware stores or pest control centers.

Shooting

In several states shooting is legal - use a small-gauge gun. Chipmunks are very alert and they make difficult targets. The best time to attempt shooting is during the early morning.

Vendors

- Bug Spray's Repellent Guard

- Bug Spray's Pecan Paste (for luring the animal into the trap)

- More Bug Spray's Chipmunk Control items

- Best Nest's Chipmunk Trap

- Havarat's Chipmunk Control arsenal

- Pest Product's Chipmunk Trap ($12.95+S/H as of 2008)




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Around twenty five different species fall under this name. They are mostly located in the North American continent, although one species is native to Eurasian region. Eastern chipmunks mate in spring and again in summer, producing litters of four or five young two times every year. At the same time, western chipmunks only breed once a year. The young emerge from the burrow after six weeks and go out on their own within the next 2 weeks. Ground squirrels have several functions in the forest environment. Their activities harvesting and collecting tree seeds play an important role in seedling establishment. Ground squirrels consume many different kinds of fungi, including those involved in symbiotic mycorrhizal associations with trees. Ground squirrels and are an important vehicle for dispersal of the spores of subterranean truffles which have co-evolved with these and other mycophagous mammals and thus lost the ability to disperse their spores through the air. The animal build expansive chipmunk burrows which can be more than ten feet (~3m) in length with several well-hidden entrances. The sleeping quarters are very extremely clean as shells and feces are stored in refuse tunnels. Chipmunks can be recognized by the dark and lighter stripes on the head and back. They can be mixed up with some of the striped ground squirrels, but chipmunks are smaller, bear distinct facial markings. They also have 5 darker lines on their backs, including a very distinct, central line that extends forward towards the head. Ground squirrels can be distinguished because do not have markings on the head. Chipmunk Diet: Chipmunks eat grain (they love corn), nuts (acorns are top choice), seeds (for example sunflower), mushrooms/fungi, insects (bugs and caterpillars) and some carrion (deceased animal tissue), although this is a very rare item in their diet. Ground Squirrel Damage: Chipmunks are very territorial and rarely become abundant enough to cause a great deal of damage. The animal will gnaw into bags with dog food or bird seed. They will also unearth and consume flower bulbs. Sometimes they will gnaw the bark from shrubbery or enter garbage containers. Ground Squirrels Chipmunks Control Repellents Naphthalene chipmunk control is a common method of repelling the anima. Naphthalene (naftalin) flakes (“moth flakes”) show certain signs of success with repelling chipmunks from attics, summer cabins, and storage areas only when deployed in a liberal fashion (~2kg of naphthalene flakes per 200 sq meters [1.0 to 1.2 kg/100 m2]). Use extreme caution, however, in buildings where humans dwell or work, as the odor is often objectionable or irritating to humans as well as pets. Fumigants - Chipmunk Control with Fumigants Fumigants are generally shown to be ineffective because of the problems with locating the openings to chipmunk burrows. The burrows are also complex and this does not make the application easier. One of the chemicals that may be used for chipmunk fumigation is Aluminum phosphide. It is a Restricted-Use-Pesticide that is permitted and registered in many states for the control of burrowing rodents. It is available in a form of tablets, which when dropped into the burrow reacts with the moisture in the ground and generates very toxic phosphine gas. Please note that Aluminum phosphide, cannot be used in or even near human occupied buildings because there is a great danger of the fumigant poisoning air in the buildings. There are several Gas cartridges that are registered for the control of burrowing rodents and are available from your local supply centers, seed catalogs, hardware stores, or the USDA-APHIS-ADC program. Carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide gases are released while the cartridges burn and he rodents die from asphyxiation. Use with extreme caution and refer to instructions provided with the item. Trapping Common rat snap traps or Live-catch wire-mesh traps can be used to trap chipmunks. Common live-trap models include the Tomahawk and Havahart traps. Avoid direct contact with trapped chipmunks as they may be disease vectors and harmful to humans. A variety of different baits can be used to lure the animal into live traps. This includes nuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, raisins, prune slices, cereals, grains or peanut butter. Live traps are offered by local hardware stores or pest control centers. Shooting In several states shooting is legal - use a small-gauge gun. Chipmunks are very alert and they make difficult targets. The best time to attempt shooting is during the early morning. Vendors - Bug Spray's Repellent Guard - Bug Spray's Pecan Paste (for luring the animal into the trap) - More Bug Spray's Chipmunk Control items - Best Nest's Chipmunk Trap - Havarat's Chipmunk Control arsenal - Pest Product's Chipmunk Trap ($12.95+S/H as of 2008)


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