skip to main content

Integrated Pest Management

Wire mesh to prevent chipmunks from digging tunnels

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

Hello,

I have read several threads on chipmunk control and I don't want to have a debate about giving them the Jimmy Hoffa treatment. I am more interested in what might be called witness protection/relocation. Normally, I wouldn't mind them in my hood, but they are now deciding the lawn and gardens are not enough, they are getting into walls. We have to stop it.

So given that, we are live trapping the cute little critters and moving them to a very heavily wooded area over 7 miles away.

Once we think we have them all relocated (they are living in a den right next to my foundation in a courtyard garden area), we want to try some preventative measures. Hence, my question:

I have found this wire product that I can lay over the ground and then cover with topsoil/mulch. https://www.twpinc.com/wire-mesh-by-project/pest-control.

My assumption is that if I can prevent them digging, then part of the problem is solved. Never going to get rid of the mafia completely, but I do hope to make them find a new avenue of "employment".

Has anyone used something similar? Chicken wire? Window screen? Any luck?

And again I don't want to discuss killing them.

Featured Answer

Iris S (SC, Zone 7b)

6 years ago

I am sorry I don't have an answer for you. Just wanted to thank you for being kind.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

kimmq
6 years ago
Where in the world are you?

Is it legal for you to move wild animals around like that?

Compare that wire with hardware cloth from your local hardware store. They look very similar and your local store may be less expensive.

Chipmunks will simply tear apart chicken wire and window screen material.
User
Original Author
6 years ago
Kimmq, I am in the midwest in the United States. And NO it is not illegal in my state to move the chipmunks. I checked.

They have died in the walls of my house. That bothers me a lot. The scratching as they attempted to get out was very upsetting. We eventually broke open the drywall (and took a big chance of them running around the house) but it was too late.

I don't want a debate. I am trying to be humane.

I appreciate your opinion about the chicken wire and window screen.
Related Discussions
How to prevent squirrels from diging up my lawn?
Q
Comments (53)
Interesting how each situation is a bit different. We have a partially wooded back yard and tons of squirrels, probably because my wife feeds them and the birds each morning. They rarely dig into the lawn, though. I don't like trapping because what happens if there are babies in the nest? My new neighbor is a fireworks fanatic and lit off a bunch of large fireworks when he first moved in. The next day about 5 of our regular squirrels had burn marks on them and one was maimed so bad he looked shell shocked and couldn't walk right. We let the guy know what happened and he stopped lighting fireworks in a wooded area. We had a family of foxes move in to a neighbor's yard a couple of years ago and while they do scare off the squirrels, they don't get rid of them. BTW, foxes will not attack anybody, dogs, etc. They just want to eat squirrels and chipmunks. Of course the wife is feeding the foxes now so they don't go after the squirrels. I disagree with doing that but she doesn't listen to me, lol. They got mange so we fed them a course of medicine, but other than that I think nature should be left alone.
...See More
concrete wire reinforcing mesh greenhouse
Q
Comments (4)
cattle panels have irregular wire spacing most often concrete panels have even regular spacing which is probably better. The biggest problem with reinforcement panels is they would need a good moisture proofing to prevent rust the cattle panels are galvanized so should resist moisture much better.
...See More
chicken wire to prevent gopher for school garden
Q
Comments (11)
I just did this with an Iris bed 30' long and 5' wide. I had my "muscle" dig out all the soil to 10 " down; lay down small-hole chicken wire pinned in place with landscaping pins and turned up the sides and leave a collar of wire 6" high above the ground so it was like a tray ; and, put back all soil. Then I planted the Iris tubers. So far the Gophers have been deterred.... it seems they are stopped by the wire collar. You can also make wire baskets for each plant, just make sure you leave enough wire above the ground for the collar. This is what I've done for most of my plants. Also, gophers never bother any of the Salvias or herbs, so I don't bother to cage those plants.
...See More
Chipmunks tunnelling in garden
Q
Comments (1)
Chipmunks have adapted to living in close proximity to us quite well and deterring them is very difficult. Many people have found that fencing material with a tight mesh (something less then an inch) laid on the soil does deter them from digging. Others report that plantings of onion, garlic, or marigolds (non hybrid French or African) also does have some repellant properties.
...See More
User
Original Author
6 years ago
I bought some inexpensive "hardware" cloth at Ace Hardware. My goal is to keep them from building their dens near the perimeter of the house. I really don't care what they do to my lawn. I consider it a form of aerating! When they are destructive or trapped in a wall, not good.
gracie01 zone5 SW of Chicago
6 years ago
They will just tunnel under the hardware cloth; I've covered their entrance holes with big rocks, only to have them moved by the destructive critters.
User thanked gracie01 zone5 SW of Chicago
User
Original Author
6 years ago
My husband wants to put rocks the size of golf balls in the bed but I don't think they would help -- they will just dig closer to the foundation. I really wish there was a way to keep them getting inside the walls of my house. We are at our wits end.

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Garden Myths to Debunk as You Dig This Fall and Rest Over Winter

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Termites hate wood mulch, don’t amend soil for trees, avoid gravel in planters — and more nuggets of garden wisdom

KITCHEN DESIGN 20 Kitchen Must-Haves From Houzz Readers

By Jennifer Ott Design

We asked you to tell us your top kitchen amenities. See what popular kitchen features made the list

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Garden Walls: Gabion Evolves From Functional to Fabulous

By Olander Garden Design

The permeable rock-, concrete- or glass-filled steel cages are showing up as retaining walls, planters, benches and more

FEEL-GOOD HOME 12 Very Useful Things I've Learned From Designers

By Becky Harris

These simple ideas can make life at home more efficient and enjoyable

LANDSCAPE DESIGN 9 Fresh Design Ideas From Wildlife-Friendly Gardens

By Lauren Dunec Hoang

Set up your garden to provide food, water and shelter for birds, bees, butterflies and more without compromising style

BATHROOM MAKEOVERS What I Learned From My Master Bathroom Renovation

By Becky Harris

Houzz writer Becky Harris lived through her own remodel recently. She shares what it was like and gives her top tips

REMODELING GUIDES Get What You Need From the House You Have

By SPACE Architects + Planners

6 ways to rethink your house and get that extra living space you need now

REMODELING GUIDES Transition Time: How to Connect Tile and Hardwood Floors

By By Any Design Ltd.

Plan ahead to prevent unsightly or unsafe transitions between floor surfaces. Here's what you need to know

PETS 6 Ways to Help Your Dog and Landscape Play Nicely Together

By Marianne Lipanovich

Keep your prized plantings intact and your dog happy too, with this wisdom from an expert gardener and dog guardian

PETS How to Help Your Dog Be a Good Neighbor

By Alison Hodgson

Good fences certainly help, but be sure to introduce your pup to the neighbors and check in from time to time

Sponsored

Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery

233 Reviews

Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery

More Discussions

Animal got into attic ...

2

Bird deterrent spikes

2