Chipmunks vs. Your Foundation: What Homeowners Need to Know

Chipmunks may look harmless and even a bit charming as they dart across your yard—but don’t be fooled by their size. These small rodents can cause significant damage to your property, especially your home’s foundation, if left unchecked. Understanding the risks chipmunks pose and how to address them is essential for long-term home maintenance and protection.

Why Chipmunks Are Attracted to Homes

Chipmunks seek out areas that provide both food and shelter. In residential neighborhoods, they’re often drawn to:

  • Bird feeders or pet food left outdoors

  • Gardens and flowerbeds full of seeds, fruits, or bulbs

  • Woodpiles, porches, and rock walls that offer safe hiding spots

  • Gaps or voids under stairs, sidewalks, or foundations that provide burrowing access

While their tunneling may begin in the yard, it's not uncommon for chipmunks to start burrowing near or even under your home.

How Chipmunks Can Damage Your Foundation

Though chipmunks don’t chew through concrete or structurally destroy buildings the way rats or larger animals might, they pose a more subtle—and still serious—threat to your foundation over time:

  • Burrowing Near the Footing: Chipmunks create networks of tunnels that can weaken soil integrity around your foundation, causing minor shifts or settling.

  • Undermining Walkways and Patios: Tunnels under slabs, stairs, or sidewalks can lead to sinking or cracking concrete.

  • Water Damage Risk: Their tunnels may alter how water drains around your property, directing moisture toward your foundation and increasing the chance of water intrusion or erosion.

  • Access Points for Other Pests: Tunnels and holes created by chipmunks can be exploited by larger animals or insects looking for a way into your home.

Warning Signs of a Chipmunk Problem

  • Small holes (about 2 inches wide) near the foundation or concrete edges

  • Visible tunnels or burrow entrances around patios, garages, or decks

  • Freshly dug soil near plant beds or hardscaping

  • Increased chipmunk activity near the house or signs of droppings

Prevention and Exclusion Tips

To protect your home’s foundation, take these proactive steps:

  • Eliminate Attractants: Secure bird feeders and trash cans, and harvest garden produce promptly.

  • Seal Gaps: Close off openings under decks, porches, and steps with mesh or hardware cloth.

  • Use Gravel Barriers: Install crushed stone around the foundation to discourage digging.

  • Landscape Smart: Avoid dense ground cover near your home, which can conceal burrow entrances.

  • Monitor and Act Quickly: At the first sign of a burrow near your foundation, act before the problem worsens.

When to Call Wildlife X Team

Because chipmunks are tenacious and hard to catch, it’s important to work with a licensed wildlife control company. Professionals can:

  • Identify active burrow systems.

  • Humanely trap and relocate chipmunks if permitted.

  • Seal entry points and provide long-term exclusion strategies.

  • Offer habitat modification solutions to prevent re-entry.

Protect Your Investment

Chipmunks may be small, but the damage they cause to your foundation can lead to big repair bills down the road. By staying vigilant and contacting a trusted wildlife control company at the first sign of trouble, you can protect your home and landscape from unnecessary damage. If you're noticing signs of chipmunk activity, don’t wait—reach out to Wildlife X Team® SE Michigan today!