Chipmunk burrows
Chris@example.invalid Pat McC.
willing to ignore them till today. We just discovered a burrow
entrance right up against the brick steps leading up to our front
door. This is an area where we just had a French drain installed to
correct drainage problems, and it's covered with sand, so it's easy to
burrow into. They may also be burrowing underneath the steps for all I
know. We're worried their tunnels and burrows might weaken the ground
and cause structural problems in our walkway or steps.
We don't really want to eliminate the chipmunks, but we really need to
prevent them from burrowing in this particular area. I tried putting
some stones over the burrow entrance, but they've already moved the
stones away. I was thinking of putting mothballs into the tunnel, or
pouring ammonia down it in hopes that they'd move to another spot.
Suggestions? I've thought of live trapping and relocating them, but
that would be a last resort. And we're in a suburban area, so shooting
would not be an option even if we did want to eliminate them (which we
don't).
Joseph Meehan
I don't think you need worry about structural problems. The steps
should be fine. However, what kind of foundation do you have? Is it a slab
at grade, a full basement with cement floor, or do you have some craw space
without a full cement floor?
I have found out that they can go down three or four feet, that would
get them under the wall and footing of many craw spaces. Yea, they got
under mine and into the craw space. They did no damage and were gone by the
time I found out.
They are no longer in the neighborhood. The neighborhood cats have seen
to that. They have also reduced, but not eliminated the mice, which are
staying out of my home, after a few days of checking out my attic.
Good Luck
--
Joseph E. Meehan
26 + 6 = 1 It's Irish Math
tomcas
did.
bu...@bugs.com
will make them move to another area as well.
--
I wish you all the best
Tim W
Kit Walker
You can deal with this like a gardener or as a farmer.
Personally I choose:
http://www.rodenator.com/
--
Kit Walker
Guardian of the Eastern Dark
http://www.deepwoods.org/
SteveB
"Pat McC." <NOSPAMforPatand Ch...@example.invalid> wrote in message
news:f8Ovc.28426$_k3.7...@bgtnsc05-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
As a child in the Nevada desert, we would flood their burrows, and then
capture the escapees for pets. You don't have to completely try to kill
them, just run some water in, and cut it off, then repeat until they come
out. They will get tired of being flooded, and move soon. Even if just a
short distance. You could just flood the burrows that were a bother.
Steve
Lost-In-Translation
> news:f8Ovc.28426$_k3.7...@bgtnsc05-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
> > We've seen chipmunks and their burrows in our front yard and we were
> > willing to ignore them till today. We just discovered a burrow
> > entrance right up against the brick steps leading up to our front
> > door. This is an area where we just had a French drain installed to
> > correct drainage problems, and it's covered with sand, so it's easy to
> > burrow into. They may also be burrowing underneath the steps for all I
> > know. We're worried their tunnels and burrows might weaken the ground
> > and cause structural problems in our walkway or steps.
> >
> > We don't really want to eliminate the chipmunks, but we really need to
> > prevent them from burrowing in this particular area. I tried putting
> > some stones over the burrow entrance, but they've already moved the
> > stones away. I was thinking of putting mothballs into the tunnel, or
> > pouring ammonia down it in hopes that they'd move to another spot.
> >
> > Suggestions? I've thought of live trapping and relocating them, but
> > that would be a last resort. And we're in a suburban area, so shooting
> > would not be an option even if we did want to eliminate them (which we
> > don't).
Well, I'm hesitant to recommend this, but as an "old farmer" once
recommended to getting rid of the burrowing critters . . . . have the "alpha
male" in your house piss in the holes!
I know it sounds crazy . . .but it works. They move out quickly! Also
works around perimeters for little critters like fox. Possum could care
less however.
Ya just gotta love folklore!
Pat McC.
unlikely to cause structural damage to the steps. And we do have a
full basement with concrete walls and floor, so I guess I don't have
to worry about them burrowing into the house. But I still would rather
not have them tunneling under our front walk, so we'll probably try
putting vinegar, mothballs, and/or a hose down this particular burrow
in hopes of convincing them that they'd be happier living farther away
from the house. Not sure about the suggestion of having the
household's Alpha Male "mark" the area--I guess it's worth a try and
it would cost nothing. But I think we'll skip the propane/oxygen
"Rodenator" (entertaining though it might be).
Thanks again,
Pat
"Pat McC." <NOSPAMforPatand Ch...@example.invalid> wrote in message
news:f8Ovc.28426$_k3.7...@bgtnsc05-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
Pat McC.
Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm glad to hear that chipmunks are
unlikely to cause structural damage to the steps. And we do have a
full basement with concrete walls and floor, so I guess I don't have
to worry about them burrowing into the house. But I still would rather
not have them tunneling under our front walk, so we'll probably try
putting vinegar, mothballs, and/or a hose down this particular burrow
in hopes of convincing them that they'd be happier living farther away
from the house. Not sure about the suggestion of having the
household's Alpha Male "mark" the area--I guess it's worth a try and
it would cost nothing. But I think we'll skip the propane/oxygen
"Rodenator" (entertaining though it might be).
Thanks again,
Pat McC.
<NOSPAMforP...@example.invalid> wrote in message
news:f8Ovc.28426$_k3.7...@bgtnsc05-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
Chuck Yerkes
> Pat McC. wrote:
>> Suggestions? I've thought of live trapping and relocating them, but
>> that would be a last resort. And we're in a suburban area, so shooting
>> would not be an option even if we did want to eliminate them (which we
>> don't).
>>
>
> You can deal with this like a gardener or as a farmer.
>
> Personally I choose:
> http://www.rodenator.com/
I love that site... Was watching it at work when a guy installing
some computers overheard us and came in.
Said: "watch how tight they clench their knees... Seems it's easy
to fill mystery holes with O2 + Propane and light it, but you don't
know where that burrow GOES." Or what lights at the other end.
Chipmunk repellant (moth balls and stinky stuff), they're mostly
harmless in my experience.
A cat will do it for you too.
JerryMouse
> We've seen chipmunks and their burrows in our front yard and we were
> willing to ignore them till today. We just discovered a burrow
> entrance right up against the brick steps leading up to our front
> door. This is an area where we just had a French drain installed to
> correct drainage problems, and it's covered with sand, so it's easy to
> burrow into. They may also be burrowing underneath the steps for all I
> know. We're worried their tunnels and burrows might weaken the ground
> and cause structural problems in our walkway or steps.
Don't worry about it. No chipmunk is going to build a home that's going to
FALL DOWN on HIM!
He's got a lot more to worry about than you.
masterg
> http://www.rodenator.com
Mine are burrowing under my house. I do have a full basement, but we are on
sand. I'm just afraid about the instability, so I'm going to try mothballs,
cider vinegar and a product I found called Plantskydd to keep them away.
--
for full context, visit https://www.homeownershub.com/maintenance/chipmunk-burrows-529574-.htm
Vermont girl
Moth balls are toxic to everything in nature. We should avoid using them if
possible.
Vermont girl
I read somewhere that eucalyptus oil in and around the holes will stop them -
and it did. They have left. However, the holes are still seeping water into
the basement.