Tamarack Wildlife Rehabilitation & Education Center

Chipmunk
Tamias striatus

People who live near woodlots of any size are likely to encounter chipmunks. These animals are in the same family as the larger tree squirrels. They are commonly distinguished by broad stripes along the back.

Habitat: Chipmunks tend to favor deciduous forest with plenty of beech and oak trees. They are diurnal (active in the day). They can easily climb trees but spend most of their time foraging on the ground. Chipmunks readily adapt to suburban gardens and are most common along the edge of woods, where they can forage out into other habitats.

Diet: Chipmunks depend primarily on plants for food, concentrating on seeds and berries as well as acorns and other nuts. They also will eat an occasional insect or small amphibian. They possess expandable cheek pouches into which they can stuff a great deal of material.

Public Health Issues Associated with Chipmunks

• Chipmunks are not considered to be a significant source of disease that can be transmitted to humans.

Problems Associated with Chipmunks

• Chipmunks do not usually cause property damage, although they are sometimes said to damage ornamental plants by feeding on their fruits and berries.

• Chipmunks occasionally dig up and eat spring flower bulbs. Although they can be a nuisance, chipmunk burrows are almost never extensive enough to cause structural damage.

• Chipmunks found indoors are there accidentally. They will leave as soon as the homeowner provides them with the means to do so.

Solutions

• Use an L-shaped footer to keep chipmunks from burrowing around sidewalks, porches, and retaining walls.

• Flower bulbs can be protected by planting them beneath a wire or plastic screen ground cover. The mesh should be large enough to allow the plants to sprout but small enough to prevent digging by chipmunks (one by one inch is ideal).