August 30, 2006
Alvin Is Still Hanging Around -- RatZapper!
I have not had any chipmunks inside my house since my last posting back in June. But I have had continued chipmunk problems in my garage and eventually had to resort to some rat poison. Alas, it was not pleasant to smell dead chipmunks and then have to search them out in my garage. Gross and sad. Afterwards, I sealed up the holes and hoped no others would show up.
But I still have chipmunks scampering all over my yard, especially my backyard. Lately, they have started to tunnel again near my home's foundation. Argh! So, this time, I broke down and ordered the RatZapper Ultra! I have read good things about this device - clean, efficient, humane, fast.
I have not used it yet but plan to this week. I need to first create a rainproof shelter for it, so it does not short circuit if it rains. Then, I will see if this thing works. Stay tuned....
UPDATE -- I should note that it's not my intention of eliminating all the chipmunks in my yard -- that would be plain mean. I just want them to stop digging burrows next to my foundation which then leads to (a) water seeping into my basement and damaging the foundation wall and (b) access into my basement/house, as chipmunks have a tendency to chew into wood trimming near the house (e.g., windows, doors, etc). Otherwise, I find them quite lovely creatures with their shrilling chip, chip sounds. Land loons, you might call them.
Posted by richlee at August 30, 2006 07:24 AMWait a minute—"I find them quite lovely creatures with their shrilling chip, chip sounds."
Ever since this friend has known you, you've had a death wish for all chipmunks. I think you need to 'fess up and admit that you LOATHE them. First the box, which led to the bucket, which led to the poison, which now leads to the electric box of death.
This friend is frightened. What will be next? Squirrels? Cats with sharp claws?
Posted by: H_dub at August 30, 2006 10:14 AM
hey now...i've always said that i don't mind them if they were not so destructive to my property.
Posted by: rich at August 30, 2006 10:27 AMI like the way the picture of the "Rat Zapper" is right next to the one of you laughing. It makes it seem like an evil, triumphant, rat-zapping laugh.
Posted by: angie at August 30, 2006 07:31 PMOK, sorry to be harsh. But you have to admit that most of your chipmunk sentiment thus far has been rather ... er ... against them.
Maybe the slogan could be, "Chipmunk: Cute and Destructive."
Posted by: H_dub at August 31, 2006 09:49 AMi hope you don't mind a stranger posting something here - i happened upon your site through garden web. i am battling squirrels. haven't infiltrated my dwelling, but i am trying to keep them from becoming bolder. it was a treat to find your site through garden web and have it turn out that it was someone LOCAL (who also has been battling CRITTERS). plus, in the sad aftermath of the demise of my witty-library-science-friend's blog, i heartily enjoyed perusing your site - interesting, funny and entertaining. THANK YOU!
Posted by: T-Bob at September 12, 2006 10:23 PMhi t-bob,
thanks for the comment and for visiting my blog. i also had squirrels in my walls and had to use critter control - a local business - to trap them. then, i had bats in my house. again, called critter control. chipmunks have been more of a nuisance than these other pests. you might try trimming your tree branches at least 8 feet from the house. good luck.