Catching a furry little chipmunk stuffing its cheek pouches with bird seeds or bulbs from the garden brings a smile. That is, until you find one scampering through the basement or garage, proving they discovered yet another tiny entrance into your home. Learning exactly what size gap these small squirrels can squeeze through helps homeowners exclude them humanely.
In this article discover:
– Typical Chipmunk Dimensions and Flexibility
– The Smallest Openings They Crawl Through
– Common Entry Points Requiring Sealing
– Tips to Block Access without Trapping Them Inside
– Alternate Deterrents if Any Gaps Must Stay Open
Understanding precise chipmunk capabilities and habits is key to blocking unauthorized access quickly and peacefully before costly damage accrues inside infrastructure and stored personal property. Let’s investigate what it takes to outsmart these clever mini intruders!
Chipmunk Sizes and Squeezing Ability
Eastern chipmunks measure about 11 inches in total length including a 4 inch tail. Weighing only 2-5 ounces, these tiny rodents maintain extreme flexibility and compressibility allowing them to navigate very constricted areas.
Young chipmunks in particular can pass through surprisingly narrow gaps of just 1-1.5 inches across. Even adults and larger western species easily fit through any opening wider than 2 inches square if highly motivated by potential food rewards on the other side.
Their loose skin and skeletal structure permit “pancaking” their bodies vertically like liquid to flow through remarkably small crevices and pipelines. Finding and sealing even minor flaws along foundations provides the best prevention.
The Most Common House Entry Points for Chipmunks
Given minimal space needed thanks to impressive contortionist skills, chipmunks breach infrastructure irritatingly often through:
– Gaps where pipes, wiring or vents penetrate exterior walls
– Cracks in crumbling or separating concrete, stone, or brick
– Loose-fitting doors, windows, attic vents, and torn screening
– Underground holes gnawed through deteriorating sill plates or floor edges
– Damaged drainage systems or uncapped hollow fence posts
Vigilantly patrol the inner and outer perimeter of your home scanning for potential access flaws at chipmunk height. Pay particular attention near dense landscaping they inhabit. Use trail cameras to monitor suspected problem zones and track activity cycles too. Prevention is key with these wayside bandits!
How to Chipmunk-Proof Openings
Ideally, seal shut all and even hairline spaces allowing chipmunk intrusion permanently using:
– Copper or stainless steel mesh across vents and screening holes
– Concrete, foam or metal fillers packed tightly into cracks and crevices
– Durable weatherstripping, flashing, caulk, and expanding spray foam insulation for sealing siding gaps
However for temporarily closing up necessary openings like automatic pet doors at night, avoid methods trapping chipmunks already inside like:
– Hatchet wires or boards wedged hastily into place
– Taping cardboard suddenly over large damaged zones
– Loose temporary sealants allowing gnawing like cloth stuffing
Instead utilize secure exclusion options like:
– Tightly-laced mesh netting over ventilation gaps
– Custom-cut plexiglass or pleximetal plates screwed into place nightly over pet and similar doors
– Trimmed bristled weatherseal door sweeps preventing narrow passage
What Else Discourages Chipmunks From Entering Houses?
For openings allowing essential air circulation that cannot undergo permanent closure, deter chipmunk traffic by:
– Installing movement-activated sprinkler deterrents delivering startling water bursts
– Surrounding the area with various loose pebbles, pinecones or gravel denying traction
– Positioning predator urine granules or mothball repellents around perimeter zones to mimic threats
– Allowing natural predatory smells from pets to accumulate nearby
Ultimately, physically denying access surpasses attempts at scaring away curious chipmunks determined to enter. So make fortifying weak points a priority to prevail in this battle of structural wits!
Outsmarting Intruders With Smarts
Gaining awareness around exactly how compact chipmunk dimensions are compared to potential breaches allows deploying targeted exclusion solutions. With vigilance, proaction, and proper permanent sealing measures, homes can withstand these willful mini-bandits! Peaceful coexistence relies on humanely blocking all interior access firmly but calmly. Check local regulations when proofing properties, and contact professionals for advice handling nuisance wildlife issues requiring specialized equipment or permits. Don’t surrender ground to trespassers!