How To Set A Chipmunk Trap

William has written five books, on topics ranging from technological fiction to part humor, and is the possessor of Bayla Publishing.

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William R. Vitanyi

Your Neighbour, the Chipmunk

Whether y'all alive in the city or the country, your abode is likely to be visited at some signal by a chipmunk. Although they are cute, they can also exist destructive and unhealthy. This article shows y'all how to set up upwardly a trap to catch the trivial guys and also shows how to release them.

The Right Trap

Once you have adamant that y'all need to relocate your visiting chipmunk, yous will demand to buy a trap. There are various models available, but the one used hither is a Harbor Freight small rodent version. It costs effectually seven dollars, and it comes folded flat in a cardboard box.

The important thing is to make sure yous get the right sized trap for the chore.

A Flat Trap

When you slide the trap out of its box, it lies flat, as seen in the picture above. Remove whatsoever plastic tags that may be affixed and dispose of them in an environmentally friendly way.

Assemble the Chipmunk Trap

On top of the cage there is a U-shaped bar, which y'all will push downwardly over the sides of the cage to aid it hold its course without collapsing. Once this is in the correct position, the trap should await like the picture shown on the right side of the split-screen photo in a higher place.

Note that the bound-loaded front door is shown in the airtight position on the left side of the trap while the back door is shown in the open up position on the right side of the trap.

The Chipmunk Bait Loving cup

You're almost halfway there. Now you demand to find a cup to hold the bait. Your furry friend is going to need a reason to enter the trap, and that reason will be nutrient. For a container, I used a plastic bottle, cutting it so it measured about 2-by-two inches. It just needs to fit easily into the bottom of the cage.

I cut a small pigsty in the tab on the side, which you volition besides need to practise.

Placing the Cup

The back of the cage is the side without the spring-loaded door. With the back door open up, put the cup within the back of the cage and insert the finish of the metal hook which hangs down from the top of the cage into the pigsty in the side of the cup. It should expect similar the photo to the right on top.

For bait for a chipmunk, many people recommend peanut butter. In my case, I used parrot seeds, since the chipmunk I was after had repeatedly demonstrated a fondness for discarded numberless of it.

Whatever you use, place it in the cup and close the back door. Brand sure the latch on the back door is secure, otherwise the chipmunk will take the food and run.

Gyre to Proceed

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Setting the Chipmunk Trap

This office is tricky, and tin can exist a scrap frustrating, so be patient. Equally shown in the photos above, position the triggering rod between the two poles of the forepart door handle. As you pull the forepart door fully open, piece of work the triggering rod towards the back of the muzzle, until information technology is parallel with the cage itself. It should only reach to the top function of the bar that is attached to the bait loving cup.

Very Gently...

The very tip of the triggering rod will slide into the loop at the top of the allurement hook. As y'all try to make this hold, it will probably slip off a few times. Reposition the bait cup as needed to get the needed angle and tension. You will find that information technology is best to take the trap in its final position before setting it, equally even minor jarring volition spring it.

A Properly Set Chipmunk Trap

The properly set trap should expect like the photo above.

Be sure to check on the trap frequently to make sure information technology hasn't accidentally sprung, and to see if you have a invitee. If you don't catch a chipmunk within a few days, you may want to consider trying a new location or a different bait.

Where to Relocate a Chipmunk?

So information technology worked, and now you have a caged chipmunk to deal with.

If you live about the forest, but transport the muzzle some distance from your habitation and open the front door of the muzzle, freeing the chipmunk. If you alive in a more than urban area you could bulldoze to a wooded surface area and release it there.

Experts vary equally to how far away is far plenty to prevent return, just a good estimate would exist at least 2-3 miles. If possible, an intervening obstruction such every bit a river or major highway tin help, and make sure you have permission to exist on that property.

Starring Mr. Chips!

In my case, the chipmunk—Mr. Chips—was causing damage in the garage and basement, and so a natural habitat near a stream a couple miles away was preferable, and seemed adequate for release.

I found a overnice bit of forest with a small stream running through information technology, and made a video of the release, starring, of form, Mr. Chips. His scene didn't terminal very long, but I recall it made a great ending. Hopefully he'll be happy with his new home.

Good luck, and enjoy the movie!

The Release of Mr. Chips

This content is authentic and truthful to the best of the writer's knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional person.

William R Vitanyi (author) from Edinboro, Pennsylvania on June xiii, 2022:

Hullo Samantha. I retrieve over time they tin can get used to you lot being nearby, but don't attempt to bear on them. Y'all might become bit. Thank you for the question!

Samantha on June thirteen, 2022:

Beloved chipmunk can you assist me make one trust me

William R Vitanyi (author) from Edinboro, Pennsylvania on July 05, 2022:

Hi Scott. Thank you for reading, and thanks for the question. I call up you have to weigh the problem you lot are trying to solve against the possibility of doing harm you cannot abide. If you tin't check the trap(southward) often enough, don't set them for now. Wait until you can cheque them more regularly. It may take longer, just eventually you volition get your 'munk on terms y'all (and he) tin live with.

Scott on July 05, 2022:

Hi William.....I know that Chipmunks take a trend to get very broken-hearted when they are trapped, leading to aridity and sometimes heart failure. I have been informed that 5 hours is the longest you lot can leave one in a trap before releasing it. I wanted your input on this as I will be trapping a few of the niggling fellas soon. I am using humane traps for a reason and actually don't want to observe any "lapsed" Chipmunks when I check them. If I cannot check them every few hours, should I not set up them that mean solar day? Information technology is VERY important to me that I hurt none of them, non even accidentally. Thanks

William R Vitanyi (author) from Edinboro, Pennsylvania on June 27, 2022:

Thank you for the comment, Virginia. I have edited the hub to include information virtually how far away to release a captured chipmunk. Cheers for reading and commenting!

Virginia Allain from Cardinal Florida on June 27, 2022:

You lot didn't mention how far to take the chipmunk. I've been told that it needs a major barrier to go on it from returning (similar a river or decorated highway).

Nice video of the release.

Ronald Eastward Franklin from Mechanicsburg, PA on Oct 29, 2022:

You did better for Mr. Chips than perhaps y'all realized by letting him go in an area of undergrowth. I remember releasing some mice that had trapped themselves in a garbage can. I allow them become in an open up field, and nigh immediately a militarist swooped downwards and grabbed one of them. That was a wow! moment for me - I had no idea the hawk was flight higher up.

Patricia Scott from Northward Central Florida on July 22, 2022:

I take never had a chipmunk outcome anywhere that I accept lived and I guess I should be glad for that.

I am so glad this is a humane and gentle fashion to trap and and then release into a new 'home' these adorable little critters. Thanks for giving us this information.

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Patricia Scott from North Central Florida on July 22, 2022:

I have never had a chipmunk issue anywhere that I have lived and I approximate I should be glad for that.

I am and so glad this is a humane and gentle style to trap and then release into a new 'home' these adorable little critters. Cheers for giving us this data.

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Angels are on the mode to you lot this evening ps

Marie Hurt from New Orleans, LA on July 21, 2022:

Mr. Fries is a cutey, and I think he is happy in his new home. The video was a sweetness and happy ending. I enjoying reading this article, fifty-fifty though I luckily don't take to deal with whatever chipmunks at this time.

Carla J Swick from NW PA on July 21, 2022:

This is a great hub and much needed as I too have chipmunk pest. I volition mind your directions wisely if he continues to dig upwards my flower pots. Great hub - voted upwards!

Source: https://dengarden.com/gardening/chipmunk

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