Same reason as with any rodent if they're a problem. My cat snags one in the basement now and then. Chipmunks are like big game compared to mice.

 

My neighbor, because they wake him up at 4-5AM with incessant chirping outside his bedroom window & dig up his wife’s flower bulbs. I have many chipmunks and squirrels on my property and they are no bother, but I wouldn’t be surprised if some of them have made the mistake of moving west to the neighbors property. Honestly, I don’t blame him because I can hear the chirping from my home and the chipmunks making the racket are on the opposite side of his home.

 

https://www.rimfirecentral.com/threads/darn-chipmunks.1328158/

Must be that time of year..

 

Just like any animal there has to be a population balance:

Are Chipmunks Destructive? (Dangers to House and Yard) - Today's Homeowner

Over the years, I've encountered numerous homeowners grappling with chipmunk infestations. While these furry critters may seem harmless and even

todayshomeowner.com

What Are Chipmunks Good For? (Their Positive & Negative Impacts)

Chipmunks are small rodents found in North America, usually in forested areas with dense vegetation. Despite their size, they play a crucial role in the ecosystem. Their contribution to spreading plant seeds is essential for

mybackyardlife.com

https://completegardening.com/why-chipmunks-are-wreaking-havoc-and-how-to-stop-them/

One moment, please...

 

My .22 Chipmunk is a bit small, much harder to shoulder at 40 years old than it was when I was 5... Oh... Wrong Chimpunk..

 

That is the first thing that popped into my head too. I'm thinking because they are kinda fun to shoot.

 

If I have to explain.............. then you have never been on the receiving end of their destructive practices of chewing on important electrical components and filling HVAC housing's with nuts and acorns. Invading destructive rodents are not welcome on my property.

 

They will destroy your foundation, basement walls, and concrete floors as well.

I've shot them for years with rifles and shotguns. Finally started trapping them and now I've found the final solution. IF you can find their hole I'll back the car up close and gas them with the exhaust. SOOOO much easier, faster, and does a great job. Only way to go, just get it all over with at once.

 

They can be destructive and get into attics, doing damage. Poop, chewing, stockpiling nuts which can bring in bugs, and enlarging points of infiltration for other critters to enter.

 

Chipmunks built a hotel under my driveway a few years ago. When I pulled my antique Chrysler land yacht up to the garage, the left front tire sank up to the axle. A live trap and a trip to the woods, inhabited by feral cats, ensued.

 

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FWIW, my oldest/adult Grandson still shoots the Chipmunk I gifted him a little before he became a teenager.........it was his first gun.

.

 

our resident chipmonk made the mistake of crossing the p[atio when i was grilling [knew i was not a threat] but the redtailed hawk was not so accommodating , nailed him about ten feet from where i was standing , looked up at me and smugly flew away with his dinner , all i could do is smile ,

i did get that thgis thread was about the little rifle - i keep mine for those times when i get in a situation with a really young first time shooter , i also have a thompson contender kids rifle for that purpose - tiny people / tiny guns , but a whole lot of fun

 

That would be some awesome pictures. I had a hawk in my yard nail a mourning dove. When it flew away there was just a pile of feathers. Love seeing that kind of stuff.

 

Damage. They get into my wife's flower bed which is also a retaining wall and dig tunnels. They bring all that fine ground stone for the base of the wall up to the top of the bed. They kill the flowers and plants by eating and disrupting the flower bulbs.

 

Here are my two reasons.
1 I had to replace a medium sized blue stone walkway. They burrowed under, made it collapse and broke several stones.
2 Did I mention they burrow. When they abandon the burrow, yellow jackets can use it.
If you ever mowed over a yellow jacket nest in the ground, you would shoot them too.
Fortunately the new cat has saved me a lot of ammo.

Jim

 

Bibby just got #20. 20 was last years total. Me a measly 2 so far.
I have trained him not to eat them. They are just too large and they tend to come back up, usually when he is in the house.

Jim

 

I bought a Chipmunk to teach my two oldest great grand daughters to shoot. I passed it on the the third's father and told him he had inherited the duty with his daughter and now 2 more have been added for him to teach.

Real chipmunks and squirrels do not live here. With only mesquite bushes and beans to live in and on seems to keep them away. We do have an occasional ground squirrel and while I like to watch their antics they dig into and under everything they can. Our very shallow soil keeps the population very low and I am glad it does.

 

They can be a pain, like any small animal, as the population can get out of control. The neighbors outdoor cat gets it's share. I watched a Blue Heron Crane, who frequents our nearby creek, fly by my window the other day, and stand in one position, outside on the grass, and after 20 minutes, grabbed a chipmunk by the neck, and suffocated it, and after three drops and re grabbing it, and making sure it was strangled, finally, my wife and I witnessed it eating and swallowing it whole! We've never seen that before, living here almost 50 years back into the wooded few acres, and semi rural area.

GS

 

If they ever get the taste of wiring from your vehicle in their system you will understand. It seems that there is only one way to break them of eating all the wires, and we have tried all the "remedies" that are supposed to keep them away. Trust Me, after you replace 6 or 8 wiring harnesses you will GLADLY take whatever corrective actions you can find to end that problem! FYI, moth balls etc just ended up in their nest under the hood!

 

Chipmunks and mice are attracted to car wiring because the insulation is made (pioneered by Henry Ford) from soybeans that they chew on.

 

I don't have that many around my house. I have only seen two in the last five years and so far they haven't caused any problem. My sister had flying squirrels get in her attic and ruin the wedding dress she had stored there. And I have declared a truce with the squirrels. Actually, I just surrendered. Most of these varmints are like Indians in an old cowboy movie, you shoot one and two take his place. So I just enjoy watching them. We have 46 acres we lease to deer hunters and hope they will thin the deer out but that is a loosing battle also. Years ago, there were very few deer north of Highway 49 in southern Davidson County, NC. Now they have the county covered. Take out one and two take it's place. Ya'll have a goodern and appreciate the replies.

 

They can destroy ornamental plants as the roots can't grow through dens, or they tunnel right inside the dripline to destroy trees or shrubs. Along with all the other things mentioned.

 

I like the 'Pfflooock' sound they make when you chest shoot them with CCI quiet SGHP & a can.

 

Do it the instantaneous humane way... no gore no horror.

 

 

 

They will bury under flowers with bulbs, grab the roots and drag the whole plant into the burrow. It just disappears without a trace!

 

Just yesterday my friend texted me. His house and one other had power go out Saturday early morning and all day. A squirrel chewed the line. Funny timing considering this chat.

 

I use to think they were cute until they got into the shop and started chewing up everything and putting hickory nuts in everything,they are destructive little blasters they got under the hoods of are cars and started chewing things like wires and they shoved nuts into every spot they could find.now there fair game.

 

We have cabin in Black Hills of SD and have chipmunks near the cabin and garage. Have owned 23 years and never a problem with the little critters. Have a lot of exposed limestone here that’s cracked and fractured and they live within the formations. I even put bird seed out for them. Didn’t even know they dig and tunnel. My grandkids would be very upset if I shot one. They never seem to overpopulate. Guess I’m lucky to not have the problems others have experienced.

 

Could there be enough predators in the area of your cabin to keep their population in check? Maybe that's why you haven't had problems with them.