Last Updated on July 2, 2025 by Tanya Janse van Rensburg
Chipmunks may be cute, but when they start digging up your flower beds, chewing through wires, or raiding your bird feeders, they quickly go from charming to chaotic.
These small rodents are quick, clever, and persistent, making them tough to control without the right tools.
If you’re battling backyard invaders, it’s time to consider using a chipmunk trap to restore peace to your garden.
When it comes to protecting your garden and home from burrowing rodents, using the right chipmunk trap can make all the difference.
Growcycle offers a curated selection of humane and effective chipmunk control solutions designed to minimize harm while maximizing results.
Whether you're looking for live traps that safely relocate chipmunks or durable snap traps for more immediate results,
Growcycle provides environmentally conscious options that support both your landscape and local wildlife ethics.
This article explores different types of chipmunk traps, how to use them humanely and effectively, and provides helpful tips to prevent chipmunks from returning.
Chipmunks aren't usually dangerous, but they can do a lot of damage to your property over time.
They burrow and their tunnels could be detrimental to sidewalks or garden features, and their constant feeding can destroy young plants or stored seeds.
Sometimes, they even make their way into attics or basements by way of cracks in the foundation.
Some common problems chipmunks will create:
Because they breed rapidly and are active during the months of spring to fall, early control is the key to avoiding damage in the long run.
When choosing a chipmunk trap, the key considerations are efficiency, safety, and humaneness.
Here is a look beneath at some of the most common types of traps and how they work.
Live traps are made for catching chipmunks without injuring them. They are cage-style contraptions with doors that snap shut after the animal’s inside and tread on a trigger plate.
Wear gloves when putting down the trap to keep human scent off and reduce additional pressure on the animal.
The traps look like small mouse traps, but just bigger. Made to provide an instantaneous kill, snap traps are a fast option if you have a severe infestation on your hands.
Electrical traps euthanize chipmunks with an immediate high-voltage shock. Most are effective and fairly tidy and tend to incorporate a no-touch disposal system.
These come at a higher cost than some of the other options, but they’re a convenient and proven solution, especially if you’re faced with more than one rodent.
These traps, popular with gardeners and homesteaders alike, consist of a five-gallon bucket of water and a baited plank or spoon that collapses the chipmunk into it.
Regardless of whether you employ a live trap or a lethal one, bait is key. Chipmunks are omnivores, prefering seeds and nuts. Appropriate baits that can be used are:
Position the bait tightly in the center of the trap, so the chipmunk has to completely enter and hit the trigger.
But a trap is only half the battle — location is key. Use them for better results with these suggestions:
And now that you’ve caught the culprits, make your home less welcoming to any chipmunks in the future.
Q1: Are chipmunk traps legal?
And, yeah, in most locations, chipmunk catchers are allowed; however, regulations depend on your location. Some areas would require humane treatment/not allow relocation. Always verify with your local wildlife authority before attempting to trap or release wildlife.
Q2: What’s the most humane way to trap chipmunks?
To kill them with the least harm, use live cage traps. They enable the safe trapping and release well away from your home. Be sure to release them in woodlands with adequate shelter and food.
Q3: How far should I release a chipmunk?
As a general rule, chipmunks can be released at least 5 to 10 miles away in a natural area so they don’t return.
Q4: Will chipmunks damage my house?
Yes. If they make their way into your walls or attic, they can chew through insulation, wiring, and wood. Burrowing outside can cause them to undermine patios and garden beds.
Q5: What time of year are chipmunks most active?
Active chipmunks may be found most during the spring and summer and are most active in the early morning and late afternoon. It is the best time to catch some in the traps.
Do not allow your chipmunk neighbors to overturn your hard work.
With a decent chipmunk trap, good placement, and some preventive landscaping, you can have a yard free of rodents and protect your plants, produce, and sanity.
Whether you opt for a humane live trap or require a more aggressive approach, use a trap responsibly and ethically. Your garden and the wildlife that rely on it will thank you.
