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Can you offer any advice regarding a chipmunk nuisance? Several years ago I noticed a couple of chipmunks. I'm sure they have multiplied, as I now have many hole tunnels (not mounded like moles) in the front and back yards and I've seen them disappear down these holes. They have also chewed a hole in the rubber weather stripping on the garage door. I've had to move the bird seed inside the house. Any information is greatly appreciated. Patsy

Answer

Can you offer any advice regarding a chipmunk nuisance? Several years ago I noticed a couple of chipmunks. I'm sure they have multiplied, as I now have many hole tunnels (not mounded like moles) in the front and back yards and I've seen them disappear down these holes. They have also chewed a hole in the rubber weather stripping on the garage door. I've had to move the bird seed inside the house. Any information is greatly appreciated. Patsy Hi Patsy. Chipmunks are interesting (and cute) critters. They actually hibernate in the winter, and before they hibernate they gather seeds and stash them away for later use. Unlike other hibernating animals that store their food reserves in the form of body fat, chipmunks do not. Consequently, it is necessary for chipmunks to awaken several times during the winter to eat from the caches of food they have stored.

Your best option for chipmunk control is to eliminate their food sources; particularly bird seed, so they will look elsewhere for food before they hibernate. Most importantly, you should delay putting bird seed in your bird feeders until the winter months, after Chipmunks have begun hibernation. It is a good idea to have baffles on the poles of your feeders because chipmunks (and squirrels) are good climbers.

They are also amazing jumpers, so locate your bird feeders away from the house. They are especially fond of sunflower seeds and you want to make sure to store all seed in chew-proof containers. I hope this helps.

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About Linda Lillie

Linda K. Lillie is the President of Sprigs & Twigs, Inc, the premier landscape design and maintenance, tree care, lawn care, stonework, and carpentry service provider in southeastern Connecticut since 1997. She is a graduate of Connecticut College in Botany, a Connecticut Master Gardener and a national award winning landscape designer for her landscape design and landscape installation work.

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