Chipmunk Removal & Trapping – Animal Removal Services Of Virginia

Animal Removal Services Of Virginia – Humane Chipmunk Removal Experts

Animal Removal Services of Virginia offers chipmunk control, trapping and removal in Charlottesville, Richmond and beyond. Since chipmunks are rodents, most of the same approaches used for control chipmunks are similar to those used in rats, mice, and squirrels. But, at Animal Removal Services of Virginia we take the most humane and most effective strategy: prevention and exclusion for chipmunk removal.

It is against Virginia law to relocate chipmunks due to the potential for spreading diseases.

Chipmunks can be very friendly and quite cute. But they are not so cute when they start burrowing throughout your property. If you have numerous chipmunks on your property they can cause structural damage by burrowing under patios, stairs, retention walls, or foundations. And before that damage occurs you’ll want the expert Virginia chipmunk removal services of Animal Removal Services of Virginia.

Chipmunks are omnivores. They’ll eat anything, but they prefer grains, nuts, berries, mushrooms, insects, salamanders, and your carefully planted bulbs and seeds. So, don’t feed chipmunks as they may soon become a nuisance. But,  if they become a nuisance then call Animal Removal Services of Virginia today at (804) 729-9097 for our chipmunk removal services.

These cute little critters may also consume your flower bulbs, seeds, or seedlings. Also, they’ll  eat your bird seed, grass seed, and even your pet food.  So, make sure you store these items in rodent-proof storage containers. If you have chipmunks coming onto your land, chances are they are eating from your garden or eating from some of the mentioned items. Since you take pride in your property, we  suggest you prevent chipmunks from making them their next meal. If you don’t you may soon need  Animal Removal Services of Virginia chipmunk removal services.

Animal Removal Services of Virginia provides chipmunk removal services throughout Albemarle, Goochland, Louisa, Powhatan, Fluvanna, Hanover, and Henrico Counties, as well as the cities of Richmond, Midlothian, Glen Allen, Short Pump & Charlottesville.

The good news about chipmunks – they scare off easily. In general, they don’t like human contact. In fact, humans are chipmunks biggests predators so they will usually leave if they see you. You are fortunate if you can’t get rid of your chipmunk problem. Why? Because Animal Removal Services of Virginia are your chipmunk removal experts. We guarantee we can  humanely remove chipmunks the first time! Please, call us today at (804) 729-9097 and let us help you with our chipmunk removal techniques

Chipmunk Identification

Fifteen species of native chipmunks of the genus Eutamias and one of the genus Tamias are found in North America. The eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus) and the least chipmunk (Eutamias minimas), are the two most widely distributed and notable species. Behavior and damage is similar among all species of native chipmunks. Therefore, damage control recommendations are similar for all species.

The eastern chipmunk is a small, brownish, ground-dwelling squirrel. It is typically 5 to 6 inches (13 to 15 cm) long and weighs about 3 ounces (90 g). It has two tan and five blackish longitudinal stripes on its back, and two tan and two brownish stripes on each side of its face. The longitudinal stripes end at the reddish rump. The tail is 3 to 4 inches (8 to 10 cm) long and hairy, but it is not bushy.

The least chipmunk is the smallest of the chipmunks. It is typically 3 2/3 to 4 1/2 inches (9 to 11 cm) long and weighs 1 to 2 ounces (35 to 70 g). The color varies from a faint yellowish gray with tawny dark stripes (Badlands, South Dakota) to a grayish tawny brown with black stripes (Wisconsin and Michigan). The stripes, however, continue to the base of the tail on all least chipmunks.

Chipmunk Habitat and Biology

Eastern chipmunks typically inhabit mature woodlands and woodlot edges, but they also inhabit areas in and around suburban and rural homes. The least chipmunk inhabits low sagebrush deserts, high mountain coniferous forests, and northern mixed hardwood forests.

The home range of a chipmunk may be up to 1/2 acre, but the adult only defends a territory about 50 feet (15.2 m) around the burrow entrance. Chipmunk burrows often are well-hidden near objects or buildings (for example, stumps, wood piles or brush piles, basements, and garages). In most cases, the chipmunk’s main tunnel is 20 to 30 feet (6 m to 9 m) in length, but complex burrow systems occur where cover is sparse.

With the onset of cold weather, chipmunks enter a restless hibernation and are relatively inactive from late fall through the winter months. Chipmunks do not enter a deep hibernation as do ground squirrels but rely on the cache of food they have brought to their burrow. Some individuals become active on warm, sunny days during the winter. Most chipmunks emerge from hibernation in early March.

Adult least chipmunks mate over a period of 4 to 6 weeks from April to mid-July. Least chipmunks produce 1 litter of 2 to 7 young in May or June. Occasionally a second litter is produced in the fall.

Eastern chipmunks mate two times a year, during early spring and again during the summer or early fall. There is a 31-day gestation period. Two to 5 young are born in April to May and again in August to October. The young are sexually mature within 1 year. Adults may live up to 3 years.

Chipmunk pups appear above ground when they are 4 to 6 weeks old — 2/3 the size of an adult. Young will leave the burrow at 6 to 8 weeks.

Population densities of chipmunks are typically 2 to 4 animals per acre. Eastern chipmunk population densities may be as high as 10 animals per acre, however, if sufficient food and cover are available. Home ranges often overlap among individuals.