Getting Rid of Chipmunks - HOUSE FIX With Rick e105

Chipmunks driving you crazy? Do chipmunks tear up your flowerbeds? How can you get rid of chipmunks? This episode is all about removing those very cute, very destructive critters - the chipmunk
House Fix with Rick is about easy fixes everyone can do on their own homes. Rick will help you do those jobs that you may not know how to do or seem out of your range of expertise. He brings his fun and helpful fixes and tips to help you get your house where you want it to be.
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Rick-amendation: The Better Rodentrap - www.intruderinc.com/products/...

[@sunitamay123]

I am going to fill the bucket with water and seeds right NOW! They have completely destroyed my garden- holes and tunnels all over and they ate the seedlings of tomatoes, peas and other veggies. War has begun...

[@robertlawrence4643]

Extremely helpful post, helped me, and I will confirm what you said, no bait needed on traps against the house!! Thank you

[@johngalt5411]

Thank you for taking the time to do this video. Ordered one from Home Depot and will give it a try.

[@joshwiand5657]

Great advice!! Very professional also.

[@kathyaris9214]

It's a rodent, I agree with Rick!!

[@gretchenrininger7093]

Now that looks like it might work for me I will look for these.

[@wanderlust101]

I’m gonna give it a shot, thanks Rick.

[@RickWolf]

Good luck! Let me know if I can help with other suggestions?! If you have wide open spaces sometimes you have to go with a small Hav-A-heart trap!!

[@FarideLadak]

I’ll have to give this a try. These chipmunks are now in my attic as well. I do see them running along at the garden bed edges when I’m working in the yard. They are very inquisitive and tend to be constantly trying to see where I’m at.

[@RickWolf]

Sometimes when they are in open spaces you may have to resort in the live trap (Hav-A-hart). I know one trap will not do it all, but that “better rodent trap” does do well around home foundations! Happy hunting!

[@kingdomkicks9146]

Had a family of 3 chipmunks living in my front lawn destroying my landscaping and bushes. After I watched your video, I brought 3 traps from Ace hardware. Within 2 days, the chipmunks are all gone. Thanks!

[@middletonlyn6856]

At first I thought they were so cute but changed my mind after they did hundreds of $s to our gardens, landscape and started on our basement walls. Someone in the neighborhood provides nuts for them and then they dig up our flower beds to bury them. So much damage, and then I tried the bucket, caught six in the first hour and felt so bad to see them struggling in the water. Never used it again. Now I prefer the trap as it kills them instantly. I understand they are carriers of lice and ticks and also lyme disease and that's good enough reason not to have them around your home and kids.

[@m.pearson45]

they are quite destructive..have gotten them in our house and had no idea how they got in.. they have ruined my herb garden, ate plants and floers in the front of the house how can I get rid of the critters..

[@pan6479]

I worked for me. 2 Rats, 6 chipmunks with peanut butter.

[@RickWolf]

Thanks for your feedback, Pan! I know some of them ornery country chipmunks do need extra effort! Peanut butter was a great idea! If you feed birds check out my slinky video--it really works!

[@ThePzrLdr]

After I realized I had a rodent issue I found this video. I bought 2 of these Better Rodent Traps from Home Depot. Set them out without bait and waited. It wasn't 2 days and i caught the first Chipmunk. It's been 2 weeks and the tally so far is 10 of these buggers. Works like a charm!

[@e.samson7429]

I had a new driveway installed last fall. I now have a spot where chipmunks tunneled under the driveway and caused it to collapse. I've used the snap traps next to the holes without bait but find they get caught by the leg as they run by. Using bait they have to stick their head far enough in to get a quick kill.

[@janetc2728]

Thanks for the video!! I put sunflower seeds in the trap. though this was sad to see..... I caught one overnight on the first night. They have been tearing up around my foundation.

[@RickWolf]

I’m sorry, fid not mean to offend, but sometimes people become desperate to solve this issue. I truly have experienced live capture and release, but they are outside their home area and become food for other animals, or cause damage to other animals (I can give you names of Amish friends whose horse broke an ankle and had to be put down because of chipmunks!

[@MarianTRitch]

Just because a horse breaks an ankle is no excuse to destroy it! It is fixable! Imagine if we put people down!

[@Mike-0201]

Thanks for the advice. In the last 4 years I went from no chipmunks to seeing them running through my yard and across my deck every 10 minutes. My neighbor found 6 dead ones in his pool in the last week. I tried the trap and in the first half hour I got 3! Thanks!!

[@RickWolf]

Thanks for trusting me, Mike! I know the traps don’t always work in wide open places (use Hav-A-Heart live traps then), but I have had great luck with them. They are cute, but do a ton of damage to landscaping (eat spring bulbs) and will ruin foundations and cause basements to leak! Good hunting!

[@mpatel8405]

Thank you!!

[@tesla4543]

WOW, so glad for your video, after 17 years of having two outside cats, yes 17 years of the same two outside cats passed (died) the chippers were taking over. I looked at other options like live traps, mouse traps with peanut butter, and buckets with water and seeds and none worked. BUT this Better RODENT trap worked great. Bought two of them and within a matter of two days caught (killed) 6 varmints. THANKS...

[@maryalicehutton8566]

Thank you for the advice!!! They are currently destroying my lawn

[@johnd9231]

Thank you sir im trying the water thing now.

[@alfredsmalley25]

Thank you Rick, I tried the better mousetrap and it works within 20 minutes. At least I got the first one that looked me straight in the eye from out of the whole this morning.

[@RickWolf]

Way to go!!!!

[@justice4ruthiebecauseherli853]

It’s the 👀 for me.😢

[@MyAlex1333]

Nice

[@jefffrayer8238]

I've never had much problems with chipmunks here on the farm but this year everyone is swamped with those things. My Jack Russell has caught several but I need to catch them too. Very destructive. Shot one today on the motor of a car sitting on cement bound for the junkyard. He had ate a lot of wiring on the engine. Great video. Greetings from Battle Creek Mi.

[@RickWolf]

Jeff Frayer thanks Jeff!! My Dad spoke to a salesperson for one of the large wire producers. He asked him why rodents like electrical wire-is it the feel of the current? The salesman said not so much on the current, but they felt that since most of the wire wrap plastic uses soy beans in it’s manufacture the rodents can smell the soy material and think it’s food?! I thought that was interesting!!!

[@jefffrayer8238]

@@RickWolf Thanks Rick for doing some research on why they chew on wires. Mice generally chew insulation only and usually near the nest. This guy chewed through the copper ( 4 wires ) to 2 injectors and chewed through the copper on other random wires in the engine compartment. This was recent damage and could easily be done to mowers, generators, tractors as well. Cute but very destructive critters.

[@sunitamay123]

@@jefffrayer8238 thanks for the warning, Sir!

[@jamesmrichardson4708]

Thanks Rick! These pesky rodents caused a terracing wall to collapse in my yard. Cost me a fortune to rebuild, then insult to injury they caused a wall INSIDE my house to collapse and it was triple the cause to clean up and rebuild. Ruined every garden, eat all my strawberries and just devastated my new lawn. Good bye pests!

[@adriankap2978]

How did you end up getting rid of them? We live in a wooded community with predator wildlife. Under normal circumstances I love all creatures but my husband saw a couple of them playing in the yard then all of a sudden a large hawk swooped down about 15ft from him on the porch and carried one away. I actually smiled with glee and wish I had seen it. They might be cute but they’re no friend of homeowners.

[@jamesmrichardson4708]

@@adriankap2978 I just set traps everywhere I saw the little buggers. I had a hole on my side steps where they nest and bark every morning. Didn't even have to bait the trap, just across the threshold. Caused so much damage and so much money, but no love for them. I hear that the 5 gallon bucket method works well, though.

[@chrisl7608]

I caught 7 with one snap trap like that. Then I lost it. I think a predator took the rat + trap. Tie your trap down to something unmoveable so nothing can take it. Just the catch.

[@07blueyes20]

Thanks for the tip on the tip!!

[@Snake-ms7sj]

Having a real problem with these. They must have tunnels all up under my house. So far I've caught 24 of the little rodents. Just when I think they are gone more show up. Getting real frustrated. Time to call an exterminator?

[@pnv8477]

Time to call Walmart for an air rifle

[@richmun3131]

5 gallon bucket half filled with water. cover water with sunflower seeds. put it next to something thats the same height and they jump right in.... dont even need the diving board

[@minfan1496]

Stupid chipmunks ate all my tomatoes in my garden

[@rainyjazz9849]

Thank you very much Rick! It's very useful! I have another question. I see some holes in the garden with no dirt piled around the hole. Do you think it's chipmunks or moles? Should I fill the holes with dirt or rocks? Many thanks in advance!

[@RickWolf]

I would bet it is chipmunk! In the spring or summer, use the trap idea in the video. If you don't have a lot of pets or neighborhood animals you could try a few poison peanuts (rat poison) placed inside the hole. let me back up---chipmonks like to set up near wood piles, foundations, elevated landscape areas. Their holes don't have a lot of waist materials around them---the other animal I know that is similar is "snakes"---have you seen any? So if poison isn't to your liking try the chipmunk trap this Spring! Thanks for viewing my videos!

[@rainyjazz9849]

Thank you very much for the detailed reply! You are so kind.

[@lr3465]

I'm all for trying to keeping living creatures alive but when it comes to destroying & leaving deep holes everywhere around my foundation & yard, it's time to take action. I feel bad but got 8 in 2 days with the bucket method, they're cute but they are rodents! I may get a couple of these, small ones work great for mice.

[@adriandansby8239]

I solved my problem with the poison peanuts and worms for moles. Was digging holes in my new Zeon Zoysia sod, went to war!!

[@RickWolf]

I know those poison items work. I hate to recommend them, because sometimes birds-cats-dogs will get into them, unintentionally.

[@NotMister]

@@RickWolf That's my fear, I have a dog that eats everything.

[@laceysnow4048]

100% of the time raptors are eating those poisoned rodents and becoming poisoned themselves, it's a terrible way for them to die as well

[@blakmagikwomn]

@@laceysnow4048 I appreciate your comment and agree, those poisons go directly up the food chain. The adult birds even take the dead rodents up to their nests and feed their babies. Tough detective work trying to find the "least" harmful and yet still effective.

[@thigson189]

Last summer ... $5K for a new condenser unit in the middle of June in Georgia. Just saw these little bastards again the other day. As Bugs Bunny says, "Of course this means War!"

[@blakmagikwomn]

I have to admit, I felt the same way when I saw the thousands of dollars of damage and had to call the same company out to replace all my exterior wiring. The tunnels under the concete slabs of my buildings and patio are very worrisome (heaving/cracking in wintertime). What solution worked for you? Thanks.

[@aprillee2353]

Do they made lil hill line going all kind s of way around the house

[@RickWolf]

Thanks for watching my video! I think what you might have is moles. They burrow just under the turf looking for earthworms and grubs. I like to use “Tomcat” brand poison worms. Read the label on how to use them. Hint-cut each worm into 3 small pieces and don’t touch them. Use a stick or pencil to make a hole (to drop poison worm pieces) into active tunnels. The moles eat the worms, but I have never had domestic animals show any interest-they smell bad! Good luck!

[@clydesaidit]

Yes they do. I put out mole traps, no luck. How could. Moles be so smart? Then I found out that it was chipmunks. Sometimes they follow,using a moles trail..Yes they do….

[@sunitamay123]

@@RickWolf would chipmunks eat those worms?

[@RickWolf]

@@sunitamay123 no, chipmunks eat seeds nuts and plants (roots mostly). Moles eat grubs-bugs & worms.

[@sunitamay123]

@@RickWolf I agree, Sir. I now understand why the plants destroyed- they were cleaning the pathway, biting off the stems. Thank you for the advice and the video!

[@DoctorOreos]

Is there something you can throw down that would prevent chipmunks or make the area unpleasant? I’ve been catching so many I could make a bed throw out of chipmunk fur.

[@RickWolf]

Stevovich not really😞, as anything “strong” could easily harm pets, birds or other desirable wild life. I know what your after, but I am not aware??? You might consider getting a cat? Also if your having a lot of destruction in your flower beds (bulbs) some people have had success putting 1” (hole size) chicken netting on top of the soil over the bulbs and hiding it with a thin layer of dirt or mulch. Good luck and thank you for your support of my videos and channel!!!

[@RandomVids519]

I heard irish spring soap bar shave that off around your house

[@Tommyr]

The so called “deterrents” do not work. Total waste of money.

[@stevenbirnbaum3862]

Thank you for this video. This is the first year I am experiencing the chipmunks destroying my property. The pavers on my walkway are starting to sink. I feel bad killing them but now I am desperate. If I use The Better Rodent Trap how can I legally dispose of the chipmunk? Thank you again.

[@RickWolf]

You can put them in your trash. I would use a “T-shirt” plastic bag and tie it up then drop it into the trash.

[@ramaporiver803]

Who cares

[@Tatiana-zs3dc]

These rodents also steal berries in the garden and spread ticks !

[@herbsu4330]

Do you bait it? I plan to use it in my crawlspace.

[@RickWolf]

If in a spot like that try peanut butter with sunflower seeds pushed into it!!! Happy hunting

[@herbsu4330]

@@RickWolf Thanks.

[@Random_Starr]

Ok

[@triggerphingershooting]

No! Not Chewbacca! Lol

[@katkameo6413]

So I have a lot of owls, Hawks, eagles. Is there a way I could catch them and put them in an open cage for the birds of prey to get them? Sounds crazy but I'd rather feed the birds of prey than just kill them outright. I've got a lot of chipmunks and they're getting in my garage and everywhere

[@royalandrosey]

Bro chill

[@katkameo6413]

@@royalandrosey You're right .I killed 4 in a water death trap last night. No regrets!

[@royalandrosey]

@@katkameo6413 never put too much thought into killing. First it's animals then it's people. Be careful.

[@dianagilles7204]

I use a water trap and then lay then out for the birds of prey to eat.

[@EllyECristiano]

I am confused. I thought you said you don’t like the drowning method in the beginning of the video.

[@RickWolf]

Yes, but it is an effective way many people use. They don’t have to go out and buy any special trap or mechanism, and it can work where you have elevations that a bucket can be used. The reason I don’t care for it is, because of sometimes hearing the little varmint struggle.

[@tonyandcooley8835]

@@RickWolf Yea, but then your trap the poor guy in the plastic bag and throw him away. That's even worse. He suffocates in the heat. Just let him go somewhere else. Yea, I get the Amish hate them but these animals don't deserve to be killed. Awful.

[@COOLFRIEND]

@@tonyandcooley8835 boo hoo. They are pests. It’s not like they are endangered. Get a grip.

[@tonyandcooley8835]

@@COOLFRIEND Sick reasoning...

[@carlover2418]

@@RickWolf I hope no one sets up diving board for you Rick - you are a cruel, sick and nasty man. 14 killed and super fast? Wow, you are something else Rick. Another example of a horrible human being who thinks you're better than the other animals on the planet. Catching them and letting them loose away from your property in the woods would be both ideal and humane if you don't want them on your property.

[@abcbatman1966]

That’s it?! Kill ‘em with rat traps? 🤨

[@anthonyfranklin2556]

So that kills it?

[@RickWolf]

Yes, unfortunately nobody wants a captured chipmunk!! Many people have caught them in live traps and released them into the the country-or-parks. They dig holes and horses trip and break legs in the holes, so look at them like you do a mouse or rat. They are a pest-poisoning them can cause issues with scavengers finding the dead poisoned chipmunk and then they die too😩! Good luck and thanks for looking at my video!!!

[@hairyballs5336]

Expanding foam. Seal around the perimeter of your house. I haven't seen one rodent poop in years. And it's a part time house. And the woods are next door. Seal it up! No need for traps.

[@RickWolf]

Hairy Balls Good work on your part! Sometimes people just are not too smart on keeping food sealed away and eliminating places where animals can get in. Th big deal, in some areas, on chipmunks is many times they dig tunnels by house foundations. Then rain and in winter frozen water floods into basements causing lots of damage. We also have a lot of old order Amish here and more than one horse has stepped in a hole-broke a leg and had to be put down!!! Thanks for watching & commenting on my video!!! I appreciate your time AND feedback!

[@GoAwayNow-iz3du]

That will create a lot of moisture problems in the long run.

[@ramaporiver803]

One day in my garage garbage can and it smelt like. Death

[@michaelfritz6775]

Large mouse trap with peanut butter....mice..ground squirrel...chipmunks...all rodents...all do damage....mega damage to patio...and sidewalks...and get into veggie garden tooo.....goodbye....heeeeeeeee

[@cyhomer]

I guess I don’t understand why the chipmunk would just run right onto the trap…wouldn’t they go around it?

[@RickWolf]

They scurry about and always race along some boarder. They don’t always look where they are going-just are trying to keep the wall or whatever is on their side. It doesn’t always work but try to place it by a corner (inside or outside). I find if you “bait” the trap, sometimes you will get birds or other animals. Try peanut butter or something that will allow you to stick some sunflowers into it!! Good luck

[@yukuhana]

Unlike squirrels or rats, chipmunks are dumb. You won't need baits if your trap is on their paths.

[@tesla4543]

Have you chipmunk problems? Walk the walk before you comment. This trap works great if you know their route and it's along the walls of the structure...

[@cyhomer]

@@tesla4543 …I actually DO have chipmunks! We kill them with rat traps. Why does asking a simple question require a nasty response from you. And I’ve seen many chipmunks run right thru the middlemof the yard. They don’t just run along the wall. So shut it.

[@snowfirel7108]

We love our chipmunks, they are tame.

[@RickWolf]

Snowfirel they are cute!!! I’ve just had a bunch of spring bulbs eaten, holes dug around landscaping and patios causing concrete to fail, and in my last home, they dug around the foundation causing my sump pump to work double time. I just wish they could be cute and not somewhat disruptive😒

[@snowfirel7108]

@@RickWolf it's really their home :), they need to eat too, if you feed them nuts, they will leave your garden alone. Chipmunks will attack mice and rats, and keep them at bay at least, i know this because we live in the woods, with chipmunks and all. They are probably wanting to move in with you folks, why live under the dirt when they can move into a nice warm house with humans for winter? They are fairly smart little creatures too, we have a little girl that comes to her name, Princess, whenever she is called.

[@lizb.4734]

Rick Wolf I agree with you! I left them alone until they started to compromise the foundation of my house.

[@tbooth7201]

My husband and I feed ours. Every evening we sit out on our deck and watch them eat. It's pure entertainment. We just moved onto 6 acres from the city.

[@RickWolf]

Lots of people like the chipmunks, and they are cute & fun to watch, but I do have a tip if the only bother is that they eat your spring or fall bulbs!! This goes for squirrels too, put 1” chicken netting over the top of areas you have planted bulbs in. They hit the netting and it inhibits them (chipmunks can sometimes dig thru it😩) from eating & digging thru your pretty bulbs!

[@goodboyringo9716]

The trap at time 2:13 is junk .

[@jamesedmonds926]

This guy just needs to get a cat, problem solved. The chippers will stay away from the house, dug.

[@RCPoliComm]

Cats should not be allowed outside. They kill indiscriminately. They kill beneficial animals and song birds, etc. Sure, they probably also help with rodents, which is good, but they also kill anything they can instinctively; they don't only target animals that we humans deem as pests. Keep your cats indoors, people, please!!!

[@mtamech535]

Wrong.

[@RCPoliComm]

Compelling response. I particularly like how you refuted each of my points with solid reasons and evidence.@@mtamech535

[@clay1883]

Unless you starve a cat, it won't catch anything but your songbirds, and dig and crap in your mulch beds.

[@Tinyteacher1111]

I could not do that!!

[@Tommyr]

Then don't. Simple! I will though. They are VERY destructive animals and cause a LOT of damage to properties and crops.

[@MW-hm9ub]

A Better Mouse Trap is useless. Watch the videos with demonstrations that show how ineffective it is.

[@RickWolf]

M W I am sorry, but that is just NOT true!!! Please evaluate your sources as I have caught well over 75 over the past 5 years! Sorry to disagree, but this is why I have decided to do videos with accurate information

[@sunitamay123]

Make sure you buy the "Better RODENT trap" not the "Better MOUSE trap". I remember I put a plastic mouse trap to catch the chipmunk ( the "catch and release" type)- it got out in no time, just chewed the plastic. They have much stronger teeth than mice. Hope it helps.

[@adriankap2978]

@@sunitamay123 For the chipmunks I used HavAHart trap. It’s all metal and unable to escape.

[@lisaparent989]

Chipmunks belong

[@Wrangzilla]

In hell

[@Tommyr]

Get a life. They are VERY destructive animals and cause a LOT of damage to properties and crops.

[@DivineLightPaladin]

On an island far far away

[@kathleenletona3522]

This is cruel. There are other humane ways to deter them.

[@jimdavis3246]

I have used this trap and found it to be very effective. I also learned that chipmunks, properly prepared are really tasty, skinned and deep fried.

[@burnerloco4138]

K. L. -You wouldn’t be saying that if you had to have the foundation of your house repaired costing you thousands of dollars.

[@Wrangzilla]

I like to sit out in my chair and listen to them squeal in agonizing torture and they die a slow death….

[@kathyaris9214]

Shot em

[@Tommyr]

Sorry but those deterrents do NOT work. That's a fact. And catch and release is ILLEGAL in most places. You can get a big fine.

[@American_Composer_Mike_Sopko]

Leave the Chipmunks alone

[@goodintentions1302]

I enjoyed watching them until i saw what they were doing to my foundation & front step concret pad. Jawz is what I found at my hardware store. They havent't worked without a dab of peanut butter, but with it they're effective. They (Jawz) easily release the way shown here although they're a touch harder to reset. I put a plastic bag over my hand, release into another bag & after baiting it I step on it to set it. I don't like being a killer, yet I need to take care of my biggest investment. 🙄🫤