Chipmunks might be cute, (the cutest in the rodent family depending on who you ask) but they can also be naughty little critters! While most of the damage they do is merely bothersome, these little creatures can be quite destructive, especially when burrowing near a home’s foundation.  Chipmunks, like most rodents, reproduce rapidly and a large chipmunk population that is burrowing along, under, or near a patio, sidewalk, retaining wall, or other structure can cause it to collapse. More often than not though, chipmunks dig up gardens, feed on flower bulbs and fruit seeds, and gnaw on bark.

It is easy to mistake chipmunk damage for other small animals like squirrels. Look closely at the tracks; chipmunk tracks show four toes on the feet and five toes on the rear (front and hind feet are generally reversed). You can also identify chipmunks by their excrement. Chipmunk scat is about 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch in size and is a round pellet shape. You will usually find it in very small piles of four to six pieces.

If you think you may have a chipmunk problem, these are some signs of chipmunk damage:

• Seed piles under bird feeders
• Uprooted bulbs
• Holes in your garden or yard from digging
• Chipmunk tracks
• Chipmunk scat
• Structural or foundational damage from chipmunk burrows