If you’ve already tried using repellents for your chipmunks and haven’t had any success, use a trap to do a little more “permanent” damage to these pests.
Follow along with our guide to learn about the best products to trap chipmunks, and your property will soon be chipmunk-free!
4.6
Over 90 years of experience
Nationwide service area
Free retreatments if pests return
4.7
Treats 20 types of pests
Offers instant online quotes
30-day money-back guarantee
What Types of Chipmunk Traps Are Most Popular?
When it comes to trapping chipmunks, there are a few different types from which to choose. These traps work in different ways, and some will be better suited to use than others, depending on the severity of the infestation and other environmental factors.
These are metal cages around the size of a shoebox that function via a spring level on the inside. When bait is taken from a certain area, the chipmunk’s weight activates the spring, which closes the door and traps the animal inside.
This is also a box shape with a spring door, but this trap takes elimination to a higher level: the trap will send volts of electricity through the chipmunk which, in turn, will usually kill it.
Sometimes labeled the “chipmunk bucket of death,” this trap works by attaching a rolling bar over the top of a five-gallon bucket. The user will also affix ramps to either side of the bucket and use a sticky type of bait on the rolling bar to attract chipmunks. Normally, users will fill the bucket halfway with water. Chipmunks climb up onto the bar to take the bait, then fall into the bucket when the bar rolls, where they inevitably drown.
These are what most people picture when they think about a rodent trap: the vintage image of cheese at one end of a wooden spring trap used to lure mice in cartoons.
Do Traps Use Chipmunk Poison?
Despite what many skeptics may think, these traps are poison-free. Though they may cause the chipmunk bodily harm or death, chemicals are not used in eliminating these rodents.
Because of this, these types of traps are not only safe, but absolutely recommended for families with small children and/or pets on the property.
Chipmunk bait containing poison is on the market, but it’s rarely used for these traps. Normally, a chipmunk will respond much better to a natural bait like peanut butter or sunflower seeds.
Poison baits are usually only reserved as a last-ditch effort to eliminate chipmunks, so you can rest assured that in using a trap, you’re not harming others. In fact, the objective of most traps is to simply contain the animal for release in the wild.
Should I Make a Homemade Chipmunk Trap?
The chipmunk bucket trap is the most popular remedy to get rid of chipmunks. As described above, its effectiveness lies in its simplicity: this trap utilizes gravity to drown pesky chipmunks. However, this option isn’t always the most hygienic.
When the bucket trap is effective, you’ll be left with a bucket full of waterlogged chipmunk carcasses. If you’re not cleaning out the trap in a timely manner (which is an unpleasant task in and of itself), you’ll be attracting flies, maggots, rats, and other scavengers. This, of course, poses an even larger pest dilemma than the original chipmunk problem.
Will a Trap Kill a Chipmunk?
If you’re on the fence about using a trap, we understand.
Most people want help with trapping chipmunks in the yard, and aren’t interested in lethal chipmunk traps. For those looking for options on how to catch a chipmunk alive, no-kill traps like the box traps are for you.
Simply place bait in the trap and check it regularly for new captives to release in the wild.
However, if this is a measure you’ve already attempted and gotten unsuccessful results, a kill trap might be the next option to try… This method will eliminate your problem one by one, and stop chipmunk reproduction in its tracks.
Only you can decide which option is best for you, but being able to stop the spread of chipmunks is in everyone’s best interest. Sometimes, only trial and error will work in order to make that decision.
The Chipmunk Traps We Reviewed
In the below section, we break down each of our product recommendations in a little more detail.
AB Humane Trap Catch
This sturdy trap made of galvanized steel is perfect for catching all sorts of unwanted animals that can wander into your yard, especially chipmunks.
This trap will enclose a chipmunk humanely, ensuring a safe release to the animal as well as the user.
It comes pre-assembled ready to go out of the box. Just drop some kind of bait (sunflower seeds, peanut butter, etc) and you’re ready to go!
AmazingTrap w/ Started Bait
This trap is ideal for chipmunk removal from your home. Like the AB Trap, the Amazing Rat Trap uses a spring-activated door to enclose chipmunks inside.
However, this trap utilizes a spring and latch system rather than a guillotine door, which can create a different user experience.
Trap comes assembled out of the box and is lighter than you might expect. Just bait and leave it in an infested area. Once captured, transfer to different wilderness area to remove the rodent!
Pest Expel Trap
This heavy-duty trap will stop a chipmunk or other rodent right in its tracks.
Rather than using chipmunk poison, the trap will kill a chipmunk using pressure from a spring which slams down on its head as it reaches for carefully-placed bait.
It uses a cantilever trigger mechanism to set off and instantly kill your chipmunk without prolonged pain. The key is to find a bait your chipmunk likes (seeds, etc) and place in an active area.
The device itself feels well made as opposed to some other cheap plastic traps.
Rolling Log Mouse Trap
If you’ve ever wondered what the “chipmunk bucket of death” was, you’re about to find out.
Sometimes called the “chipmunk bucket trap,” this rolling log sits on top of a bucket and works by tipping unsuspecting chipmunks into the vessel below.
Harris Cage Trap
This catch and release cage trap by Harris is one of the easiest, most economical solutions for chipmunks. It’s constructed of rust-resistant stainless steel, making the trap suitable for outdoor use. And it’s thicker than most traps to prevent animals from chewing through the wiring.
The Harris Cage Trap is easy to bait and set. And it won’t harm the animal after it’s been trapped since there’s plenty of air circulation. Once you release it, the trap can be used several times again without having to purchase another one.
Since this is a live trap, there are no toxic baits required. It’s safe for children, pets, and the environment. And there are no dangerous moving parts to avoid.
If you’re looking for professional pest control help, use the tool below to get estimates from local professionals:
