"I
need a book about chipmunks." The
Newton Falls Public Library staff member wasn't too surprised by the statement;
we have another patron who enjoys books about squirrels. After careful questioning as to the exact
nature of information wanted about chipmunks, it was learned the our patron is
having a problem with chipmunks in their garden. She wished to know how to humanely remove
them.
A
search of our shelves revealed a selection of materials about wildlife and
gardens. One of the books taken from the
shelf was The Nature-friendly Garden: creating a backyard haven for plants, wildlife, and people by Marlene A
Condon. While it did have some
suggestions concerning squirrels and birdfeeders, discussed a variety of
wildlife including coyotes and bears, it had no information about chipmunks.
Living with Wildlife how to enjoy, cope with, and protect North America's wild creatures around your home and theirs discourages live
traps as they often cause death and do not permanently remove chipmunks from
gardens. It does suggest protecting
flower bulbs by covering the planting area with coarse gauge wire screen and
removing their favorite dwelling places, "like rock and woodpiles, brushy hedges,
and dense ground cover. [p.105]. The
Friendly Trapper The Friendly Trapper Book II (2) by Harold E. Bailey has
instructions for a humane chipmunk trap.
Bailey seems to feel that chipmunks were placed here for a reason, and
the only time they need to be removed is if we need to protect our homes or
vehicles from them chewing on wires.
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