Chipmunks might look cute and harmless, but honestly, they can cause some real headaches around your home and yard. They dig tunnels that mess up gardens, patios, and sometimes even the foundation if you ignore them.
Those burrows can leave the ground unstable. You might end up with repairs that cost way more than you’d expect.
You’ll probably spot chipmunks nibbling at your plants or digging up bulbs, which is just plain annoying if you’re into gardening. Besides wrecking plants and structures, chipmunks can carry diseases like plague and salmonella, so you’ll want to be careful around them.
If you want to keep your property in good shape and understand what these little critters are up to, stick around. There’s a lot to know about spotting and handling chipmunk issues.
Key Problems Caused by Chipmunks
Chipmunks can cause all sorts of trouble for your property and garden. Their digging and chewing habits really take a toll in different spots.
Once you know what they’re capable of, you’ll be better prepared to deal with them.
Damage to Foundations and Structures
Chipmunks dig burrows that can stretch right under your house or other buildings. They weaken the soil, which makes the dirt settle and can hurt your foundation.
After a while, you might see cracks or shifting in concrete or wooden parts of your home.
They also chew on wood around your place—decks, sheds, fences, even outdoor furniture aren’t safe. Those little teeth marks might not look like much at first, but if you’ve got a bunch of chipmunks, things can get out of hand.
Underground Burrowing Issues
Chipmunks build tunnel systems that can run up to 30 feet long. These burrows sit a few feet deep and give chipmunks a place to hide and stash food.
All that digging can mess up your yard by disrupting irrigation or causing soil erosion. If a tunnel collapses, you could end up with holes that are easy to trip over.
If you’ve got a lot of chipmunks, the damage just gets worse since they need more space underground. Checking for fresh burrows now and then helps you spot problems early.
Harm to Lawns and Gardens
Chipmunks dig up bulbs, seeds, and young plants to snack on. That can ruin flower beds and vegetable patches, especially when plants are just starting out in spring.
They also yank up roots and mess with the soil around your plants. Your garden might have a tough time bouncing back from that.
Since chipmunks are rodents, their digging sometimes kills patches of grass in your lawn. If you notice random holes or missing plants, chipmunks are probably the culprits.
Impact on Bird Feeders and Stored Food
If you’ve got bird feeders, chipmunks will definitely show up. They grab seeds from the feeders or clean up anything that’s fallen to the ground.
They’ll also get into any food stored outside, like pet food or nuts you leave out. Sometimes they contaminate food with droppings or urine, which is just gross.
Chipmunks can multiply pretty fast, so the risk of food damage goes up if you don’t secure your feeders and storage. Using chipmunk-proof feeders and sealed containers helps a lot. For more info, check Nuisance Chipmunk Problems.
Health and Nuisance Concerns from Chipmunks
Chipmunks can bring some health risks and create a few annoying problems at home. They carry pests, attract other animals, and sometimes make noise or sneak inside—none of which is fun if you’ve got a bunch living nearby.
Potential for Carrying Fleas and Ticks
Chipmunks often pick up fleas and ticks, which can spread diseases to you or your pets. Fleas on chipmunks might carry plague bacteria (though, to be fair, that’s rare). More often, fleas just make pets itchy and uncomfortable.
Ticks that hitch a ride on chipmunks sometimes spread Lyme disease. If you or your pets hang out where chipmunks are busy, it’s smart to check for ticks after being outside.
Protecting your pets with vet-approved treatments really cuts down on these risks.
Just a heads up: Chipmunks don’t usually bite unless they feel trapped, but their fleas and ticks are the bigger issue anyway.
Attracting Other Wildlife and Pests
When chipmunks move in, they sometimes attract other wildlife that follows their scent or comes for the same food. Animals like snakes, raccoons, or even owls might start showing up because chipmunks are around.
Chipmunk burrows can also become homes for insects or other rodents. Once chipmunks dig out tunnels, pests like ants or spiders might move in.
Keeping chipmunk numbers down helps you avoid even more unwanted visitors around your place.
Noise and Indoor Intrusion
Chipmunks tend to stay busy during the day, and honestly, they can get pretty noisy—especially if you’ve got a bunch of them hanging around. Their constant chattering sometimes breaks the quiet, which can get annoying if you’re trying to relax near a window or out in the yard.
Now and then, chipmunks squeeze indoors through tiny gaps or holes. Once they’re inside, they might start damaging insulation or chewing on wires, and that’s never good. Sometimes, you’ll notice a weird smell too.
Spotting their nests isn’t always easy at first. If you don’t catch it early, though, it can turn into a much bigger headache.
It really pays to keep chipmunks from sneaking into your house in the first place.
