Chipmunks in the Crawlspace: Protecting Your Truckee and Lake Tahoe Home
Chipmunks might look super cute scampering around in the forest, but they can become a real problem when they invade your crawlspace. In Truckee and Lake Tahoe, chipmunks are notorious for finding their way into homes, causing damage, and creating opportunities for other pests, like mice, to enter.
At Gold Country Wildlife Control, we’ve seen firsthand the trouble chipmunks can cause in mountain homes. Here’s what you need to know about chipmunks in crawlspaces, the damage they cause, and how to protect your property.
How Chipmunks Get into Your Crawlspace
Chipmunks are small, resourceful, and very persistent. They use their natural digging and climbing skills to exploit weak points in your home’s defenses, such as:
Foundation Vents: Chipmunks can pop open or chew through damaged foundation vent covers to squeeze into your crawlspace.
Crawlspace Doors: Many crawlspace doors are poorly sealed or left exposed, making them easy entry points for chipmunks.
Pipe Penetrations: Openings around pipes and wiring that enter the crawlspace are common targets for chipmunks. They’ll chew through foam or loose materials to make these gaps larger.
Once inside, they can cause significant damage, turning your crawlspace into their personal den.
The Damage Chipmunks Cause in Crawlspaces
Chipmunks in crawlspaces are more than just a nuisance—they can wreak havoc on your home:
Climbing on Ductwork: Chipmunks love to climb, and ductwork provides the perfect pathway. Their sharp claws can tear through duct insulation, reducing its effectiveness and increasing $$$ your energy bills.
"Stealing" Insulation: Chipmunks gather insulation materials to build their nests. Over time, this theft can leave sections of your crawlspace exposed, leading to higher heating and cooling costs.
Creating Entry Points for Mice: Once chipmunks are inside, they often leave gaps or damage behind that make it easier for smaller pests, like mice, to enter. This creates a secondary infestation problem that’s even harder to control.
How to Keep Chipmunks Out of Your Crawlspace
The best way to deal with chipmunks is to prevent them from getting in. Our comprehensive exclusion services focus on sealing your home to keep chipmunks and other pests out for good.
Secure Foundation Vents: We replace damaged or vulnerable foundation vent covers with heavy-duty, tamper-resistant versions that chipmunks can’t chew through or pop open.
Upgrade Crawlspace Doors: Exposed or poorly sealed crawlspace doors are replaced with secure, weatherproof options that block chipmunks and other pests from entering.
Seal Pipe Penetrations: All gaps around pipes and wiring are sealed with durable materials like metal mesh or concrete to prevent chewing and burrowing.
Remove Chipmunks Already Inside: If chipmunks have already made their way into your crawlspace, we use humane removal techniques to get them out before sealing entry points.
Why Exclusion is Better Than Trapping Alone
Trapping chipmunks may temporarily solve the problem, but it won’t stop others from coming back. Exclusion is the only long-term solution to prevent ongoing infestations. By sealing up all potential entry points, you’re not just keeping chipmunks out—you’re also stopping mice, squirrels, and other pests from invading.
Protecting Your Truckee and Lake Tahoe Home
While chipmunks are adorable they are an expensive $$$ problem to have. In mountain communities like Truckee and Lake Tahoe, homes are particularly vulnerable to wildlife invasions. Chipmunks are a common problem, but with proper exclusion techniques, you can protect your crawlspace, preserve your insulation, and avoid costly repairs.
At Gold Country Wildlife Control, we specialize in wildlife exclusion and removal for homes in Truckee, Lake Tahoe, and surrounding areas. Whether you’ve seen chipmunks in your crawlspace or want to prevent future problems, we’re here to help.
Contact us today for an inspection and let us help you keep your home chipmunk-free!
