Ever found some tiny droppings in your yard or maybe even inside your house? You might wonder which critter left them behind. Chipmunk droppings look small, dark, and kind of like little pellets.
Most of the time, they measure between 1/4 and 3/4 inches long. They’re cylindrical, with pointed ends, and sometimes you’ll spot bits of seeds or plant matter mixed in.
Knowing what chipmunk droppings look like helps you figure out if these little guys are hanging around. Unlike mouse or rat droppings, chipmunk poop is a bit bigger and more stretched out.
If you’re not sure what you’re seeing, pay close attention to the size, shape, and even the spot where you found the droppings. That usually gives you a pretty good clue.
Spotting chipmunk droppings can help you decide if you need to do something to protect your home or garden. You’ll get a sense of what to look for—and what steps to take—if chipmunks decide to move in.
If you want more details, here’s a solid guide on chipmunk poop.
How to Identify Chipmunk Droppings
When you recognize chipmunk droppings, you know these little rodents might be close by. Check their size, shape, and location.
Comparing chipmunk droppings with those from mice and squirrels makes things easier.
Physical Characteristics of Chipmunk Feces
Chipmunk droppings are small and dark, shaped kind of like rice grains or tiny beans. Most measure between 1/4 and 3/8 of an inch long.
The ends look pretty pointed, so they almost resemble little tapered cylinders.
You might spot bits of seeds or plants inside, since chipmunks mostly eat vegetation. Their droppings stay soft longer than mouse poop, which dries out fast.
The color usually ranges from dark brown to almost black.
Chipmunk Droppings vs Mouse and Mice Droppings
Chipmunk droppings run bigger than mouse poop, but they’re still smaller than rat droppings. Mouse droppings look paler, about the size of a grain of rice, but they’re shorter and less pointy than chipmunk droppings.
Mouse poop smells stronger, while chipmunk droppings barely have any odor. Rat droppings are even bigger, blacker, and chunkier, with less of a tapered end.
So, if you find small, oblong pellets that don’t really smell, you’re probably looking at chipmunk droppings.
Common Areas to Find Chipmunk Droppings
Chipmunks usually pick one spot to poop, often inside their burrows or right near their nests. You won’t see their droppings scattered all over like mouse or rat feces.
If chipmunks sneak into your house, you might find their droppings piling up in quiet corners of the attic or basement. Outside, check for droppings near small holes in the ground or under your deck.
Their holes stay flat and measure about 2 to 3 inches wide—not mounded like some other animal burrows.
Comparing Droppings of Chipmunks, Squirrels, and Other Rodents
Squirrel droppings look larger, thicker, and more like pellets. They’re rounder than the pointed chipmunk droppings.
Squirrel poop also tends to have more bits of nuts or shell in it.
Mice leave smaller, softer droppings that dry out quickly. Rats leave bigger, chunkier droppings, usually half an inch long or more.
Chipmunk droppings fall somewhere between mice and squirrels in size and shape. Look for the pointed ends and the spot where you find them.
Noticing these details makes it easier to figure out which rodent you’ve got.
Want more? Take a look at this chipmunk droppings guide.
Health Risks and Wildlife Control
Chipmunk droppings can carry nasty germs. If you handle them, do it carefully and keep chipmunks out of your home for your own safety.
Potential Diseases from Chipmunk Droppings
Chipmunk droppings can spread illnesses like salmonellosis and typhus. Bacteria or viruses in their poop cause these diseases.
If you touch or breathe in dust from dried droppings, you could get sick. Both people and pets can catch these bugs.
Salmonellosis brings stomach pain, fever, and diarrhea. Typhus is rare but can cause fever and a rash.
Wear gloves and a mask when cleaning up chipmunk droppings. Don’t sweep or vacuum dry droppings, or you’ll send germs into the air.
Safe Cleanup and Critter Control Methods
Always grab gloves, a mask, and disinfectant before cleaning up droppings. Spray them with bleach or disinfectant to wet them down first.
Use paper towels to pick everything up, then seal it all in a plastic bag for the trash. Never touch droppings with bare hands.
After you finish, wash your hands really well.
If you need to get rid of chipmunks, call a wildlife control or critter control pro. They know how to trap and move animals safely.
Don’t try to handle chipmunks yourself—nobody wants a bite or to get sick.
Preventing Rodents in the Attic and Home
Chipmunks and other rodents love sneaking into attics or walls for a bit of shelter.
You can stop them by sealing up holes or gaps around doors, windows, and the foundation.
Try to keep pet food or bird seed away from your house, since these critters are always searching for an easy snack.
Make sure your attic and storage spaces stay clean and dry. It’s a pain, but it helps.
Hear scratching or chirping up above? That’s probably chipmunks.
If you notice these sounds, call critter control right away—they’ll help you avoid damage to insulation, wiring, and wood.
