Do you love the sight of chipmunks scurrying around your backyard? Would you like to attract them to your home and make them a part of your daily life? If you answered yes, then you have come to the right place! In this ultimate guide, you will find out how to attract and provide for chipmunks in your backyard.
We will cover topics such as what chipmunks are, how to attract them, feeders for them, providing shelter, planting for them, avoiding pesticides and insecticides, and natural predators of chipmunks.
So read on to find out how to welcome these adorable critters into your life!
Table of Contents
Short Answer
Chipmunks can be attracted to your backyard by providing them with food sources and shelter.
Place a bird feeder in your yard and fill it with sunflower seeds, which are a favorite food of chipmunks.
Provide nesting boxes and natural cover like logs, rocks, and brush piles for the chipmunks to hide in.
Finally, avoid using pesticides and herbicides in your yard, as these can be toxic to chipmunks.
What are Chipmunks?
Chipmunks are small, furry rodents that are native to North America.
They are typically about 6 to 9 inches long and weigh about 3 to 5 ounces.
Chipmunks have distinctive black and white stripes on their backs and have reddish-brown fur on their underside.
They have large eyes and ears and a long, furry tail.
Chipmunks are omnivorous, meaning they eat both plants and animals.
They typically eat nuts, seeds, fruits, insects, and even small frogs and lizards.
Chipmunks are active during the day, and they are known for their agility and quickness.
They are also very vocal, and their chirping and squeaking can be heard in many parts of the United States.
Attracting Chipmunks
Attracting chipmunks to your outdoor space can be a fun and rewarding experience.
It’s important to remember that chipmunks are wild animals, so it’s important to provide them with the right environment to make them feel safe and secure.
The first step is to provide them with ample food sources.
Place bird feeders, nut feeders, and seed feeders in your yard or garden, as chipmunks love to eat birdseed, nuts, and sunflower seeds.
If you want to make sure that the chipmunks have plenty of food, you can also scatter some of these types of food directly on the ground.
In addition to providing food, it’s important to provide chipmunks with plenty of shelter.
Logs, rocks, and brush piles can provide the chipmunks with a safe, cozy place to hide and sleep.
If you have a garden, you can provide extra shelter by adding small piles of leaves and mulch in the corners of your garden beds.
Lastly, it’s important to keep your outdoor space free of insecticides and pesticides, as these can be harmful or even fatal to chipmunks.
If you have a garden, use natural pest control methods such as planting companion plants and using natural predators.
By following these steps, you can attract chipmunks to your outdoor space and enjoy the company of these delightful creatures.
With the right food, shelter, and environment, you can ensure that chipmunks feel safe and secure in your yard or garden.
Feeders for Chipmunks
Feeders are an essential part of any chipmunk-attracting strategy.
By providing chipmunks with a variety of food sources, you can easily draw them to your garden.
Bird feeders are a great option for attracting chipmunks, as they will often feed from the same food sources as birds.
Place bird feeders in strategic locations around your garden, and be sure to include a variety of types of birdseed to attract a wide variety of birds.
Not only will the birds bring chipmunks to your garden, but the chipmunks will also feed on the birdseed.
In addition to birdseed, chipmunks also love nuts, such as peanuts and hazelnuts.
Place a nut feeder in your garden and fill it with a variety of nuts.
This will provide a great source of food for chipmunks, and will also attract other wildlife such as squirrels.
Lastly, sunflower seeds are a great source of food for chipmunks.
Place a seed feeder in your garden, and place a variety of different types of sunflower seeds in it.
This will provide a great source of food for chipmunks, as well as other wildlife.
By providing chipmunks with a variety of food sources, you can easily draw them to your garden.
Not only will they feed on the food you provide, but they will also bring other wildlife to your garden as well.
Providing Shelter for Chipmunks
Providing shelter for chipmunks is an essential part of attracting these small, lively rodents to your outdoor space.
Chipmunks are naturally drawn to areas that provide them with plenty of cover and protection from predators and the elements.
Logs and rocks are great places for chipmunks to hide and take refuge, and providing brush piles or other brushy areas can give them plenty of places to nest.
To make sure your outdoor space is inviting for chipmunks, leave logs and rocks in piles, and place brush piles in areas that are sheltered from the wind and rain.
If you have the space, you can also create a small chipmunk house, which can be a great place for them to take shelter and rest.
Planting for Chipmunks
Planting for chipmunks is an important part of attracting them to your outdoor space.
Chipmunks love to eat a variety of plants, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds.
Planting a variety of edible plants in your garden will give chipmunks plenty of food to choose from.
Consider planting a variety of fruits and vegetables, such as apples, pears, grapes, tomatoes, squash, and peppers.
Nuts, such as hazelnuts, walnuts, and acorns are also a great choice.
Sunflowers, clovers, and other flowering plants are also a great source of food for chipmunks.
Additionally, planting a variety of shrubs and trees will provide chipmunks with plenty of shelter and protection.
Some trees that chipmunks love to eat and hide in are oaks, hickories, beeches, and maples.
As an added bonus, these trees will also provide your outdoor space with a natural and beautiful aesthetic.
With the right plants, you can easily attract chipmunks to your garden.
Avoiding Pesticides & Insecticides
When it comes to attracting chipmunks, it is important to avoid using pesticides and insecticides.
These chemicals can be toxic and potentially fatal to chipmunks, so it is important to keep them away from your outdoor space.
To prevent chipmunks from being exposed to these chemicals, make sure to remove any existing insecticides and pesticides, and avoid using them in the future.
Furthermore, it is important to be mindful of any nearby neighbors who may be using these chemicals, as they can also affect the chipmunks in your garden.
Lastly, make sure to keep any other pets away from the outdoor space, as they can carry these chemicals on their fur.
By following these simple steps, you can ensure that your outdoor space is safe and welcoming for chipmunks.
Natural Predators of Chipmunks
Chipmunks are a beloved creature in many backyards and gardens, but just like any other animal, they have predators that they must be aware of.
The most common predators of chipmunks are hawks, owls, snakes, foxes, weasels, cats, and dogs.
Hawks and owls will hunt chipmunks in the sky, while snakes will look for them in their burrows and dens.
Foxes, weasels, cats, and dogs will hunt chipmunks on the ground.
All of these predators have the potential to cause harm to chipmunks, so it is important to be aware of them and take steps to protect your chipmunks if possible.
One way to protect chipmunks from predators is to provide them with plenty of shelter.
Logs, rocks, and brush piles can provide chipmunks with places to hide from predators.
Additionally, keeping the area free from insecticides and pesticides can help chipmunks avoid coming into contact with predators that may have been exposed to these chemicals.
Finally, it is important to be aware of the presence of predators in your area and take steps to protect your chipmunks if necessary.
Final Thoughts
Attracting chipmunks to your outdoor space is simple and rewarding.
By providing them with food, shelter, and a pesticide-free environment, you can create a safe and inviting habitat for chipmunks.
Now that you have the ultimate guide on how to attract chipmunks, go out and start building your own chipmunk sanctuary!