Do you have chipmunks running around your yard? Have you ever wondered how they might get into your home? Chipmunks are small, cute animals, but they can cause a lot of damage if they invade your home.
In this article, we’ll answer the question of whether or not chipmunks can get into houses and provide tips and techniques for preventing them from getting in.
We’ll also discuss the kind of damage chipmunks can cause and how to inspect your home for openings.
Finally, we’ll cover what to do if you find a chipmunk in your home and provide information on professional exclusion services.
Get ready to learn everything you need to know about keeping chipmunks out of your home!
Table of Contents
Short Answer
Yes, chipmunks can get into houses if there are gaps or holes in the foundation or siding.
They are particularly attracted to yards that have a lot of shrubs or vegetation.
Chipmunks may also be attracted to pet doors, so these should be secured when not in use.
To help prevent chipmunks from entering, seal any cracks or holes in the foundation and inspect the roof and siding for any gaps or openings.
What are Chipmunks and Where are They Found?
Chipmunks are small, playful rodents that are native to the United States and can be found all across the country.
They are easily recognizable by their distinctive stripes and bushy tails.
Chipmunks can reach up to about 6 inches in length and have brownish fur with black and white stripes on their back.
They are omnivores that feed on a variety of plants, insects, and small animals.
Chipmunks are also known for being quite inquisitive and will often explore their surroundings in search of food and shelter.
Chipmunks can be found in a wide variety of habitats, from forests and fields to suburban backyards.
They are often found near homes, where they can find shelter in the form of woodpiles, decks, and other structures.
Chipmunks are also known to build nests in hollow trees, rock crevices, and abandoned burrows.
In addition, they can often be seen scurrying along the edges of walls, buildings, and other structures.
How Do Chipmunks Get Into Your Home?
Chipmunks are small, inquisitive rodents that are common in many parts of the United States.
While they are generally harmless, they can become a nuisance when they get into your home.
Chipmunks are capable of entering houses through very small openings, such as cracks in the foundation, holes in the walls, or even openings around windows and doors.
While chipmunks are small, they are surprisingly adept at finding their way into homes.
Most chipmunks are attracted to the promise of food, so if your garden is full of delicious treats, they may be tempted to make their way inside.
They are also drawn to warmth, so if there are any openings near your furnace or water heater, they may try to get in.
Additionally, chipmunks can squeeze through even the smallest of openings.
Their bodies are surprisingly flexible, and they can squeeze through openings as small as 1/4 inch.
If you have a pet door, that can be an inviting entrance for a chipmunk.
Pet doors are designed to be large enough for dogs and cats to enter, but unfortunately, they are also large enough to allow chipmunks to get in as well.
If you have a pet door, its important to inspect it regularly for signs of entry from chipmunks.
Chipmunks are also adept climbers, so they can easily make their way up the side of a house and into an open window or attic vent.
If you have any openings near the roof of your home, its important to make sure they are sealed off as well.
Once inside, chipmunks can cause damage by chewing on wires, contaminating food, and leaving droppings in the home.
They can also be carriers of disease, so its important to take preventative measures to keep them out of your house.
To prevent chipmunks from getting into your house, it is important to use proper exclusion techniques and inspect the home regularly for openings.
What Kind of Damage Can Chipmunks Cause?
Chipmunks may be small and cute, but they can cause some serious damage if they get into your house.
They are capable of entering through very small openings, such as cracks in the foundation, holes in the walls, or even openings around windows and doors.
Once inside, they can wreak havoc by chewing on wires, contaminating food, and leaving droppings in the home.
Chewed wires can lead to fire hazards, while contaminated food can make people sick.
Chipmunks may also damage furniture and insulation by burrowing into it and nesting.
One of the most common signs that chipmunks have entered a home is the presence of droppings.
Chipmunk droppings can be identified by their small, elongated shape and dark color.
They may also leave behind gnawed objects and chew marks on furniture and walls.
In addition to the physical damage they can cause, chipmunks can also create an unpleasant odour in the home.
Chipmunks can also cause extensive damage to gardens and yards.
They are known for raiding bird feeders, digging up plants, and destroying lawns.
They will often burrow under patios, decks, and other structures in search of food.
In extreme cases, they may even cause structural damage to buildings.
How to Prevent Chipmunks From Getting Into Your Home
Preventing chipmunks from getting into your home is an important part of proper home maintenance.
Luckily, there are a few simple steps you can take to keep these pesky critters out of your home.
First, inspect the outside of your home and look for any potential openings that a chipmunk could use to get in.
This includes checking around windows and doors, as well as any cracks or holes in the foundation or walls.
If you find any openings, seal them up with caulk or steel wool.
Next, consider installing exclusion devices such as metal flashing, wire mesh, or other materials around windows and doors.
Make sure these devices are securely installed and cant be easily chewed through.
Finally, keep your yard free of debris that could provide chipmunks with an easy access point.
Clean up fallen fruit, nuts, and other food sources that may attract chipmunks.
Additionally, trim back any trees and bushes that may be too close to your home.
By taking these preventative steps, you can keep chipmunks from getting into your home and causing damage.
Its important to inspect your home regularly for openings and take action quickly if you spot any.
With the right measures in place, you can protect your home from chipmunks and other pests.
Tips for Inspecting Your Home for Openings
Regular inspections of your home are important to prevent chipmunks from getting in.
Look for small cracks and gaps around your foundation, walls, windows, and doors.
Pay special attention to the area around your roofline and any areas where utilities enter the home.
Check for any openings larger than a quarter of an inch, as chipmunks can fit through these.
Additionally, inspect any areas that are near trees or shrubs, as chipmunks may be attracted to these areas.
Finally, look for any signs of activity, such as gnaw marks, droppings, or tracks.
If you find any openings or signs of activity, make sure to take steps to seal them up and prevent chipmunks from entering your home.
What to Do If You Find a Chipmunk In Your Home
If you find a chipmunk in your home, the first step is to identify the entry point and then take steps to prevent any further entry.
Before attempting to deal with the chipmunk, it is important to consider the safety of yourself and the chipmunk.
If possible, it is best to contact a wildlife control professional who can safely remove the chipmunk from your home.
If you feel comfortable attempting to remove the chipmunk yourself, you can do so by using a humane live trap.
Once the chipmunk has been removed from your home, it is important to inspect the area for any damage or openings that could have allowed the chipmunk to enter.
If possible, it is best to repair any holes or cracks that you find in order to prevent any further entry.
Additionally, you should inspect the area for any food sources that may have attracted the chipmunk, such as bird seed, pet food, compost piles, or open garbage cans.
Once these sources of food have been removed, the chipmunk should no longer be able to access them.
Finally, it is important to use preventative measures to keep chipmunks out of your home in the future.
This includes sealing any cracks or holes in your foundation, walls, or windows, and inspecting your home regularly for any signs of entry.
Additionally, you should keep your yard free of any potential food sources, such as bird seed, pet food, compost piles, or open garbage cans.
By taking these preventative measures, you can help ensure that chipmunks stay out of your home in the future.
Professional Exclusion Services
When it comes to preventing chipmunks from getting into your house, it is important to use professional exclusion services.
Professional exclusion services use specialized techniques to block off any potential entry points, such as cracks in the foundation, holes in the walls, or openings around windows and doors.
This helps to ensure that chipmunks cannot gain access to your home and become a nuisance.
Professional exclusion services also use various barriers and traps to capture chipmunks that may have already entered the home.
These traps can be placed inside the house or outside, depending on the situation.
Additionally, they can also be used to identify and locate any chipmunks that are already living in the home.
In addition to traps, professional exclusion services may use other methods to deter chipmunks from entering your home.
These may include deterrent sprays, repellents, and scent-blocking products.
It is important to note that these methods should not be used as a replacement for exclusion services, as they may not be effective in blocking chipmunks from entering the home.
Finally, professional exclusion services may also offer guidance and advice on how to prevent chipmunks from entering your home in the future.
This includes advice on how to properly inspect the home for potential entry points, and how to best secure these entry points.
This advice can help to ensure that chipmunks do not become a nuisance in the future.
Final Thoughts
Chipmunks are a common nuisance in many parts of the United States, but with the right preventative techniques, you can keep them out of your home.
By inspecting your home regularly for openings, using proper exclusion techniques, and understanding what kind of damage chipmunks can cause, you can protect your home from unwanted visitors.
If you find a chipmunk in your home, you may want to contact a professional exclusion service for help.
With the right preventative measures, you can keep chipmunks out and enjoy a chipmunk-free home.