Chipmunks look cute and harmless at first glance, but honestly, they can stir up quite a bit of trouble around your home and garden. Their biggest problem? They dig tunnels that mess up patios, foundations, and flower beds.
These little guys store food underground, so you might spot random holes popping up all over your yard.
Chipmunks chew on wood and dig up plants while searching for snacks. That makes them more of a nuisance than a real danger, but their burrowing can still cost you if you ignore it.
If you’ve noticed chipmunk signs around, it’s worth knowing what they get up to—and how to keep them from wrecking your property.
Core Problems Caused by Chipmunks
Chipmunks can cause different types of damage that hit your home and garden. They dig tunnels that make the ground less stable, eat your plants, and chew on things you’d rather they didn’t.
Burrowing and Structural Damage
Chipmunks dig burrows close to homes. These tunnels show up under sidewalks, patios, and sometimes right under your foundation.
After a while, all that digging can make structures wobbly or even crack. You might spot holes in your yard, and honestly, they’re easy to trip over.
If chipmunks dig near retaining walls or pool liners, fixing the damage could get expensive. They squeeze into homes through tiny gaps by vents or siding and can mess up the inside of your walls too.
Keep an eye out for small holes near your foundation or walkways. If you act quickly, you can lower the risk of major damage from their burrowing.
Garden and Landscape Destruction
Chipmunks eat garden plants, and they don’t really care what you’ve planted. Flower beds, bulbs, veggies, seeds—nothing’s safe.
They dig in the soil to stash food, which messes with roots and can ruin plants you’ve worked hard to grow. Lawns don’t usually take much damage, but chipmunks love bird seed and pet food left outside.
Storing food in rodent-proof containers helps a lot. If bulbs or plants go missing, chipmunks might be the reason.
Adding barriers or using safe repellents can help protect your garden.
Issues With Vehicles and Equipment
Chipmunks sometimes mess with vehicles and outdoor gear. They chew on wires in cars, lawnmowers, and other tools, which can strip the wires and even cause fire risks.
They squeeze into engine compartments or storage spaces and make nests. If you notice chew marks or wires that look odd, chipmunks could be to blame.
It helps to check and seal openings on your vehicles and equipment regularly. Staying alert to this can save you from some really annoying repairs.
For more info, check chipmunk damage identification and prevention tips.
How Chipmunk Activity Impacts Homes and Yards
Chipmunks dig tunnels and burrows that mess with your garden, lawn, and sometimes even your home’s foundation. They’re drawn to places with food and shelter, so you might see more over time.
It helps to know what to watch for so you can spot their activity early.
Tunneling Near Foundations
Chipmunks make two kinds of burrows: small, shallow ones for quick escapes and bigger, deeper dens for living and hibernating. These tunnels usually run under plants, bushes, and sometimes right under your house.
Big chipmunk colonies can erode the soil beneath your foundation. That might shift the ground or crack patios and walkways.
Look around your home for small holes about 2 to 3 inches wide. They often hide entrances under stones, porches, or decks.
If you spot a bunch of tunnels close to your foundation, it’s probably time to call in a pro to prevent bigger problems.
Attracting Chipmunks to Properties
Bird feeders, wood piles, and yard debris give chipmunks food and shelter. Bird feeders are a favorite—chipmunks especially like sunflower seeds.
If you let seeds pile up on the ground, you’ll probably see more chipmunks. To cut down on visits, keep bird feeders at least 20 to 30 feet from your house.
Clean up seeds and clear away wood or rock piles where chipmunks can hide. A tidy yard with trimmed grass and fewer hiding spots makes your place less tempting for chipmunks.
Signs of a Growing Chipmunk Population
You’ll probably spot chipmunks darting around during the day—they’re most active from spring through fall.
Watch for a few telltale signs:
- Small holes or patches of dirt dug up in your lawn or garden
- Flowers and bulbs yanked out and left scattered
- Piles of seed shells under bird feeders
- Tiny droppings, kind of like dark grains of rice, right by burrow entrances
You might also hear them. Their quick, jumpy movements and those sharp chirps are dead giveaways.
If you notice these things early, you can step in before chipmunks get out of hand.
Need more info? Check out Are Chipmunks Destructive? (Dangers to House and Yard).
