Comments on: Packing It In

By: Libby Strizzi

Libby Strizzi — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 13:23:04 +0000

Oh, I certainly agree with you, Dagmar. And I do enjoy watching the little critters. (I just didn’t need my soil aerated quite THAT much!) I think Kate’s comment — don’t use poison — is a wise one. I’ll just take her advice next year & quit feeding the birds in April for 6 months. I COULD continue to feed the finches their thistle — that’s too small a seed to interest a chipmunk. And I could feed with the suet cakes — those don’t drop seeds on the ground. That way I’d still have SOME birds all summer.

By: dagmar

dagmar — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:36:25 +0000

Libbi Strizzi – Chipmunks have their niche and are important in their own way — raptor food, disseminators of yummy fungus such as mushrooms and truffles, aerators of soil. Besides the fact that they are bold and highly entertaining little creatures. Seeing your comment has made me even more glad that I have provided my back yard chipmunks with at least 1/2 pound of almonds for their winter stores this year.

By: Libby Strizzi

Libby Strizzi — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:07:32 +0000

I feed my birds all year round, because I like seeing them. I think I’ll quit, come next April, til the fall — see if that helps. i never had such a big problem til this year. Thanks.

By: Kate St. John

Kate St. John — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:34:37 +0000

If you have backyard bird feeders, then the chipmunks are there because you’ve provided them with a good source of food. My suggestions are:
a. If there’s a way to keep the birdseed from spilling on the ground, that might help. …Might.
b. If you put out less birdseed that might help.
c. Chipmunks are food for hawks, owls and foxes. Attract one of those and your problem will be greatly reduced.

DON’T use poison. It will kill other things besides chipmunks including hawks and owls.

By: Libby Strizzi

Libby Strizzi — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:11:38 +0000

Cute tho they are, they are rotten little things, and I’m glad to see them go underground for the winter. I hope it’s a real cold one (bite your tongue!) and they all freeze underground. My lawn is a spongy mess all over of underground burrows & holes, much of which is due to chipmunks, I’m sure. (I imagine that moles and gophers are also responsible, but I’ve seen chipmunks go in those holes, so I’m sure they are at it too.) Anyone know how to get rid of/solve this problem?