Most people think chipmunks are harmless little animals that dart across the yard carrying acorns and seeds. In many situations, that’s exactly what they are. Chipmunks are common throughout Georgia and are often seen around wooded properties, landscaping, stone walls, gardens, and natural areas.
While chipmunks rarely become a serious nuisance, there are situations where their burrowing habits can contribute to structural and drainage problems around homes and businesses. Understanding their biology, habitat, and behavior can help property owners determine when chipmunks are simply part of the landscape and when their activity may require attention.
What Are Chipmunks?
Chipmunks are small ground-dwelling rodents belonging to the squirrel family. The Eastern Chipmunk is the species most commonly found throughout Georgia.
Adult chipmunks typically measure 8 to 10 inches in length, including the tail, and usually weigh between 2 and 5 ounces. They are easily recognized by their reddish-brown fur and distinctive black and white stripes running down their backs.
Unlike tree squirrels, chipmunks spend much of their time on the ground and below ground, where they construct extensive tunnel systems.
Where Do Chipmunks Live?
Chipmunks prefer areas that provide both food and cover. Common habitats include:
- Wooded areas
- Forest edges
- Landscaped residential properties
- Stone retaining walls
- Rock piles
- Wood piles
- Brush piles
- Gardens
- Foundations with nearby vegetation
They thrive in locations where they can quickly escape predators by diving into a burrow system.
Properties with mature trees, abundant landscaping, and readily available food sources often attract chipmunks.
What Do Chipmunks Eat?
Chipmunks are omnivores, meaning they eat both plant and animal matter.
Their diet commonly includes:
- Acorns
- Hickory nuts
- Pecans
- Seeds
- Berries
- Fruits
- Mushrooms
- Flower bulbs
- Garden vegetables
- Insects
- Grubs
- Caterpillars
- Bird seed
- Occasionally bird eggs
One of the reasons chipmunks are so successful is their ability to gather and store large quantities of food. Their cheek pouches allow them to transport seeds and nuts back to underground storage chambers where food can be stockpiled for later use.
Understanding Chipmunk Burrows
The most important thing homeowners should know about chipmunks is that they are burrowing animals.
A chipmunk burrow may appear small from the surface, but underground it can become surprisingly complex.
Burrow systems often contain:
- Multiple tunnels
- Nesting chambers
- Food storage chambers
- Escape routes
- Separate waste areas
Many burrows extend several feet underground and can stretch 20 to 30 feet or more in total tunnel length.
One reason homeowners often overlook chipmunk activity is that chipmunks are extremely tidy. They usually carry excavated soil away from the entrance rather than leaving a large dirt mound like a mole or groundhog.
As a result, burrow openings often appear as clean holes approximately 2 inches in diameter.
Do Chipmunks Cause Property Damage?
In most situations, chipmunks cause very little damage and can coexist with homeowners without creating significant problems.
However, issues can arise when chipmunks begin burrowing around structures.
Common locations include:
- Foundation walls
- Retaining walls
- Sidewalks
- Patios
- Steps
- Crawl space foundations
- Basement walls
- Under concrete slabs
The concern is not usually the chipmunk itself.
The concern is what happens when water follows the path created by the burrow.
How Chipmunk Burrows Can Contribute to Water Problems
When chipmunks tunnel near a foundation, they create channels in the soil. During heavy rains, water can sometimes follow these channels toward the structure.
Over time this may contribute to:
- Water intrusion into crawl spaces
- Moisture problems near foundation walls
- Basement seepage
- Soil erosion around foundations
- Settlement of landscaping features
- Undermining of retaining walls
This is especially true if drainage problems already exist on the property.
A chipmunk burrow alone usually does not flood a basement or crawl space. However, when combined with poor grading, clogged gutters, downspouts discharging near the home, or existing water management issues, burrows can become another pathway for water movement.
Signs of Chipmunk Activity
Homeowners may notice:
- Small holes around foundations
- Burrow openings near steps or sidewalks
- Chipmunks running between landscaping beds
- Missing flower bulbs
- Bird seed disappearing rapidly
- Burrows around retaining walls
- Activity around wood piles or rock piles
The animals are most active during daylight hours, especially in the early morning and late afternoon.
Preventing Chipmunk Problems
The best approach is reducing the conditions that encourage chipmunks to remain on the property.
Eliminate Food Sources
Remove or reduce:
- Excess bird seed on the ground
- Unsecured pet food
- Fallen nuts and fruits
- Accessible garden crops
Reduce Harborage Areas
Remove or organize:
- Brush piles
- Rock piles
- Stacked lumber
- Debris piles
- Dense vegetation near foundations
Improve Drainage
Since water intrusion is often the larger concern, homeowners should:
- Maintain gutters and downspouts
- Direct water away from foundations
- Correct low spots around the home
- Improve grading where necessary
- Address crawl space moisture issues
Inspect Foundation Areas
Regularly inspect around:
- Crawl space entrances
- Foundation walls
- Retaining walls
- Concrete slabs
- Steps and porches
Early detection of burrowing activity can help prevent larger drainage issues later.
When Should You Call a Professional?
Most chipmunk sightings do not require professional intervention.
However, you may want to consult a wildlife control professional if:
- Burrowing is occurring directly against the foundation.
- Water is entering a crawl space or basement.
- Retaining walls are being undermined.
- Landscaping is being extensively damaged.
- Large numbers of burrows are present.
A professional can evaluate whether chipmunks are contributing to a larger structural or moisture problem and recommend appropriate exclusion, trapping, or habitat modification measures.
Final Thoughts
Chipmunks are a natural part of Georgia’s wildlife and, in most cases, pose little threat to homes or businesses. They help disperse seeds, serve as prey for larger wildlife, and are often enjoyable to observe.
The biggest concern arises when chipmunks establish burrow systems near foundations, retaining walls, crawl spaces, or basements. In these situations, their tunnels can create pathways that allow water to move toward structures, potentially contributing to moisture and drainage problems.
If you’re seeing chipmunk activity around your home, focus first on reducing food sources, improving drainage, and eliminating favorable habitat. Addressing these factors often provides better long-term results than simply trying to remove the animals themselves.
For professional wildlife inspections and nuisance wildlife control services in Metro Atlanta and Northwest Georgia, Cardinal Pest Management can help identify the source of the problem and recommend practical solutions to protect your property.
Please give Cardinal Pest Management a call at 706 591-2775