Cheeky Chipmunks: Exclusion Solutions

Chipmunks are nearly every backyard birders' favourite little rodent. They're cute, curious, and some may even consider them to be friendly. But don't let those adorable stuffed cheeks and fuzzy little paws fool you.. they're only in it for the food. 😉 Chipmunks can pack away a lot of seed in a day. In fact, their long cheek pouches are capable of holding up to 70 sunflower seeds at a time! Those built in storage bags make it easy for them empty feeders, and drive our seed bills through the roof. Of course, no one wants to see these little darlings go away empty handed, so we are here to offer some tips to help achieve a happy medium. 

Eastern Chipmunk portrait by Barb D'Arpino

Chipmunk deterred by raccoon baffle

Exclusion & deterrent methods

1.  Install baffles
   The best defence against feeder-raiders are baffles. A properly placed baffle, such as a squirrel baffle or raccoon baffle, is the only way to entirely exclude chipmunks from feeders. To ensure that a baffle is going to work against chipmunks, your feeder pole needs to be at least 7' from any object sturdy enough for a chipmunk to jump from (house, fence, tree, etc), and the top of the baffle should sit at 5' high. If you have feeders hanging from trees, you can purchase baffles that go above the feeders and stop critters from jumping or climbing down. These styles aren't as effective as a pole system with a mounted baffle, but they can help limit access. 
   
   
2.  Use specific feeders
   100% chipmunk-proof feeders are tough to come by, but there are some feeders that you can use in your yard to help deter them, or at least slow them down. Because of their small feeding holes, WBU Finch Feeders can help to deter chipmunks. These finch feeders also have reinforced metal feed ports to discourage chipmunks chewing to make the holes on the feeder bigger. While chipmunks love seed, they'll also feed on suet. Starling-proof suet feeders and upside-down suet feeders can help to discourage chipmunks from gulping down suet cakes as they have difficulty accessing these feeders and hanging upside down while feeding.
   
   
3. Offer less "chipmunk friendly" foods
   Safflower is typically our recommendation to deter blackbirds and squirrels, but unfortunately, it isn't the case with chipmunks. In fact, it is the opposite - they love it! Be prepared if you are offering safflower in your yard as a deterrence for other critters and birds, you will need additional protection from chipmunks if you don't want them to eat from the feeders. Some other foods you could offer that chipmunks aren't huge fans of are nyjer seed, Simply Suet (plain suet), and hot pepper foods. Hot pepper food varieties may or may not help with chipmunks due to their fur-lined cheek pouches. The pouches help protect the chipmunks from tasting the spice produced by hot pepper foods, but once they get a taste of it they might think twice before coming back for more.

Happy chipmunk habitat tips

Though food is important, there's much more to survival than just eating! Chipmunks require a consistent source of fresh water to drink and to aid in grooming, safe places to hide from predators, natural food sources, and nesting material. To help chipmunks thrive in your yard, be sure to have an accessible water dish or bird bath with fresh, clean water available at all times. Keep brush piles and dense shrubs where possible to allow for a quick getaway when fleeing from predators. Brush and leaf piles can also be used by chipmunks as nesting materials in the spring. Plant native plants that produce fruits, nuts, and support insects that chipmunks feed on. Last but not least, keep kitty inside. Free-roaming cats are introduced and invasive predators that pose a huge threat to our native wildlife species. It is much safer for both chipmunks and our cats to be indoor-only, unless on lead or in an enclosed space such as a "catio".

* NOTE: In the Province of Ontario, chipmunks can be trapped and relocated 1 kilometer from where you trapped them. They can easily travel that 1 kilometer distance back to your house. Moving your chipmunks also makes room for more chipmunks to enter the habitat, with one gone its neighbour will move in. So the most effective way to deal with chipmunks is to accept that they are a part of your yard and invest in a good pole system and baffle. Putting a feeder out just for chipmunks will not do much to distract them from your other bird feeders it may simply attract more to your home. For more information on chipmunk exclusion, visit our website. 

Happy trails!

- Shayna