Ever walked around your yard and noticed some small holes, then wondered if chipmunks made them? You’re definitely not the only one. Chipmunk holes usually measure about 2-3 inches wide and sit flush with the ground, without any obvious piles of dirt nearby. Unlike moles or ants, chipmunks don’t leave those telltale dirt hills at the entrance of their tunnels.
These holes actually lead into a surprisingly complex underground home. Chipmunks carve out tunnels and little pockets where they stash food, nap, and even raise their babies.
You might spot several entrances, some open and others plugged up. It’s all part of their sneaky burrow network.
Knowing what these holes look like can help you figure out what to do next. Maybe you want to protect the little critters, or maybe you just want your yard to look tidy.
If you’re curious about how chipmunks dig these tunnels, or you want to be sure it’s them, keep going. You’ll get a better sense of what makes a chipmunk hole stand out. For extra info, check chipmunk holes and burrows.
Recognizing Chipmunk Holes
When you go looking for chipmunk holes, you’ll spot some obvious clues about their size, shape, and where they like to pop up. These details really help you tell chipmunk holes apart from other animal digs.
Typical Size and Shape
Chipmunk holes are pretty small, usually between 2 and 3 inches across. The openings look almost perfectly round or sometimes a bit oval, which makes them easy to spot.
You won’t see big piles of dirt around them either. The ground stays pretty smooth and undisturbed.
These little holes actually open up into a network of tunnels underground. The entrance might look plain, but the tunnels can stretch deep and wide.
Chipmunks make the hole just big enough to fit their bodies, so it’s not oversized.
Distinctive Features Compared to Other Animal Holes
Chipmunk holes don’t look like mole or vole holes. Moles usually leave raised dirt mounds, but chipmunks keep things flat around their burrows.
Mole tunnels often snake along the surface, while chipmunks dig deeper with well-hidden entrances.
You’ll also notice chipmunk holes sometimes have more than one entrance. They might plug up a few if they move around in their tunnels. These extra holes help chipmunks escape if something tries to catch them.
The size gives them away, too. Chipmunk holes are a bit bigger than vole holes but smaller than woodchuck burrows—think 2 to 3 inches wide.
Common Locations in Yards and Gardens
Chipmunks love to dig near woods, rocks, or log piles. You’ll find their holes close to nut trees, shrubs, or gardens—basically anywhere they can score some food.
Sometimes they pick spots near flower beds or along the edge of your lawn, where the soil is loose. Chipmunks avoid wide-open spaces and stick to areas with good cover, probably to hide from birds or the neighbor’s cat.
If you notice small holes around wood piles, next to trees, or near your home’s foundation—without big dirt mounds—chipmunks probably made those.
Clearing away debris, like rocks or thick plants, might make your yard less tempting for them.
For more details on chipmunk burrows and their quirks, check out Chipmunk Holes: How To Identify & Fill Chipmunk Burrows.
Why Chipmunk Holes Matter for Homeowners
Chipmunk holes might look tiny and innocent, but they can affect your yard or even your home in ways you might not expect. Knowing what kind of trouble they can cause—and how to spot them—lets you stay ahead of any problems.
Potential Property Damage
Chipmunk holes measure about 2-3 inches wide and don’t leave raised dirt mounds like some other burrowing animals. If chipmunks dig under patios, walkways, or gardens, the soil can shift.
You might notice cracks or uneven spots over time.
When chipmunks tunnel beneath brick patios or decks, those areas can start to sag or settle. Serious foundation damage is rare, but your landscaping or garden beds might not be so lucky.
Bulbs and plants sometimes get dug up, which can be pretty annoying if you like your garden looking nice.
Signs of a Chipmunk Infestation
You’ll spot small holes about 2-3 inches wide, level with the ground. No dirt mounds, just neat little entrances.
Look for shells from nuts, seeds, or bits of plants near the holes. Sometimes you’ll hear chipmunks chattering during the day, or catch a flash of movement in the bushes.
If you’ve got a bigger chipmunk problem, you might find several holes scattered around your yard. That usually means chipmunks are using different entrances to their tunnel system.
Prevention and Wildlife Removal Solutions
Want to keep chipmunks out? Try planting flowers like daffodils or allium—apparently, they really don’t like those. You could also add gravel borders, or put up fencing that goes a bit underground to block them from sneaking in.
Get rid of hiding spots like woodpiles or thick bushes, and your yard suddenly looks a lot less interesting to them. If you spot chipmunks inside your house, grab some live traps and bait them with peanut butter—just remember to wear gloves and stay calm when you release them outside.
Sometimes, the problem just feels overwhelming. In that case, wildlife removal pros can come in, handle the chipmunks humanely, and offer tips for keeping them away for good.
Learn more about chipmunk burrows and how to fill them at chipmunk holes identification and filling.
