I’ve discovered a few small “gifts” lately on my table. Tiny turds too big to be mouse and I’ve heard scampering overhead. Must be chipmunks in the ceiling. Don’t know how they got in. At first I thought the scampering sound came from Ravens on the RV roof. But somehow it sounded closer, like inside somehow. I followed the noise into the bedroom where the shower stall is and low and behold, I saw a chipmunk looking down at me through the skylight over the shower. So of course I went to get the camera.
But then there were two. Then three.
Then four chipmunks dancing between two layers of plastic. How did they get in there. And more important, how to get them out. I went to maintenance and asked for a live trap but there were none to be had or at least not one that’s chipmunk size with mesh small enough they couldn’t get out. I am a long ways from no where so it’s not like I could just go buy a live trap. So I settled with mouse traps, and not happy about that.
After removing the inner skylight I set out 4 mouse traps.
There is electric wires and insulation in the ceiling and I hoped they hadn’t made a nest. All traps were tripped when I returned from my three-day weekend. Then I heard a rustling sound and discover a chippy in the empty kitchen trash can. It had to have fallen in somehow. So I let it go.
Seems Google answers say chipmunks won’t stay inside, that they Like to live outside. So what’s up with this group? I’ve lived on the North Rim with chipmunks for seven summers and never had them come into my RV.
Friday I saw a chipmunk in my bedroom. Again, how are they getting in? So I set a trap and soon heard a squeal. Caught it by the leg so put it outside and set it free. Two out of four, I hoped.
I think chipmunks are adorable, in their outside environment. But they are rodents that can carry both rabies and fleas with bubonic plague.
During research on how to get rid of them, or better yet keep them outside, I discovered various chipmunk repellents. A store bought organic pest repellent granules covered with coyote urine. Because there are no stores nearby and I don’t plan to harvest coyote urine I think of trying a homemade repellent made by grinding up super hot peppers in an oil or water solution and spraying it around possible areas of chipmunk access. Although a friend brought me two hot peppers I haven’t tried this yet. I am concerned about the lingering odor and how it blends with the spearmint oil I spray to keep spiders out.
I bought window screen to cover the roof top air-conditioner which seems to be the only thing with openings large enough for chipmunks. But after three days of not hearing them scamper in the ceiling I hope they went back to their favored outside environment.
