Chipmunk traps

What is everybody’s favorite? I currently use my homemade 5x5x24s which work well, but depending on the individual trap I sometimes have to make adjustments to reduce pan tension for consistent firing under their scant weight. I’d like a smaller trap to to better fit in discreet spaces for retail store use.

I put a rat trap in a weasel box. Bait it with sunflower seed. Out of site out of mind, dog do not bother them, put a top on it with a hook and eye to keep little ones out of them. Screw the rat trap to the bottom of the box. JMO

That is a great system, I use one very similar. I should have been more clear, I’m looking for cage trap suggestions. I have some repeat clients that require them.

I always had good luck with the Safeguard 18" x 5" x 5" cage trap with the Slide Open Release door- https://www.wildlifecontrolsupplies.com/animal/NWS52818.html.

Why are you trying do a job where the client is handicap you? I don't tell my car mechanic that he can only use hand tools vs pneumatic tools. Rat snap traps in a box or bait station works. the chip is put down fast vs stressing out in a cage.

In a rural area, that may be fine.
I seldom ever went to lethal means in suburban areas.
It was always a last resort.

4X4X15
One way door

Rat snaps for me, but I always hate to kill chippy's, they're so darn cute!

They do sell setups that resemble bait stations for rodents that houses several snap traps

Thanks LA.

LT, are you talking baited one way door set up or set over a hole? I’ve never tried a one way in a baited situation.

Iayogi17 - if you ever have a chance to remove one from a retail store, you’d change your tune. They pay handsomely so I follow their rules.

I've been using Comstock's 4 inch swing panels for chipmunks. Work nice for red squirrels also.

I deigned one of the best little chipmunk / Red Squirrel traps ever made
.

It's sold by WCS , renamed the Simple Squirrel Trap

( Now just how did that happen) ?

The one that fit right over the hole, like you trap a 13 Lined ground squirrel with, yep works well on the chipmunk too.
You only catch what's in that hole !

Comstock swing panel doors in the size you prefer.
I bait mine with black oil sunflowers and it works great.

Simple squirrel traps sold by WCS are great staple small rodent traps. We use them often for rats, small squirrels and chipmunks.

I don't know how many dozens of these little lightweight traps that we have but they are our bread and butter devices when catching small animals loose in a house, mobile home or camper. Indoors or out they do their job.

Short story, we had a call many years back from a fella that had a camper in his back yard that hadn't been used in many years. Red Squirrels found a way in thru a hole in a roof vent on the camper. It wasn't a large camper maybe 20 ft as I recall. The squirrels were chewing it up badly, the cushions and paneling all had damage.

When we got there and found the suspected entry holes and areas I blocked them quickly with wire, duct tape and some bricks the guy had lying around to hold the wire down and secure.

When I entered the camper door I saw a couple squirrels zip around to run and hide. I had an older helper friend that day riding along for experience. What a fun time he had to see how you can handle a call like this.

I set as I recall 6-8 simple squirrel traps back to back along the floor, on the table which was tight to the one wall and along the hallways on both sides of the walk way.

We then shut the camper door and proceeded to open cupboard doors, storage doors, cabinets, cushion pads and just about anything that could be accessed we disturbed and rustled through things.

In about 5-7 minutes we had all the occupying squirrels running around attempting to escape. In those few minutes we could see some captured running right into those little traps or hear the ones out of sight fire with a slight thud sound.

We caught 5 squirrels in a few minutes. Just love when a plan comes together. They don't always come together that quickly or effectively however sometimes it just works out that way.

My buddy was impressed and said this work is easy, I could do this. LOL

I just don't have the hours in a day to service cage traps for chipmunks for residential or retail. I either case the high stressed chipmunk will be bouncing around pulling on the heart strings of the client which then they will be calling or text you to come and remove it. as to where a box with a kill trap inside of it will take care of the problem- out of sight and mind for the client.

My favorite chipmunk trap is the Safeguard 3 x 3 x10 galvanised sheet metal trap. Have caught hundreds of chipmunks in them. I also use the smaller Comstock swing panel traps.

I agree with Bob J.... I use a ton of the Simple Squirrel Trap from WCS or whoever may be producing them now. I use the 3x4 size, which are easy to fit in tight places. They even fit under most retail storage/display shelving units. Pic showing one at a generator that chippers were nesting inside of.

That’s right, Ron - my 5x5s won’t fit under the bottom shelf of the shelving units. I ordered a couple of the simple WCS traps. I’ll look into the sheet metal traps too.

This is my first choice - a great solution where quick lethal is the desired option. However, few customer locations would be wise for this choice.

So for almost every customer option I use as I stated above, swing panel door trap from Comstock. Setup in one manner, these easily allow for multiple catches.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTGn5sb49cc

Coffin looks good for sensitive areas. Should use newer koro as it doesn't kick with the trigger

We prefer a double door trap, providing more options over single door traps, the option to use one door open with bait in the back, both doors open with bait throughout, or both doors open while using no bait at all. We use any of our 3x5, 5x5 or 6x6 double door swing panel traps along walls, any structure, with or without bait. Animals hug walls so bait isn't really needed but some black sunflower seeds speed the process. A big plus is that these traps never need adjusting like pan traps, but always have a light consistent trigger pressure when the panel swings as the chipmunks go under the one inch opening at the bottom. We made nose cones to go with each size so that the traps can be placed over den holes to catch chippies coming and going like we do for chucks and skunks. I like using traps that have multiple uses. These traps work great for chipmunks, red and gray squirrels, weasels, mink, barn rats, roof rats and for muskrats in runs under water. Additionally they may be used in any position, sideways, upside down or even set vertically on walls when used where squirrels are coming and going from holes in soffits and fascia. After the TRex quit catching, one trapper caught 8 barn rats climbing walls in a vertical set with a 5x5 swing panel trap. Tension on the panel can be varied by adding, subtracting or stretching the springs.

I like weasel box types but a word of caution on all styles if baiting with bird seed. Non targets can be an issue.

Well used weasel boxes, ie lots of rodent catches, can draw in snakes.

As Jim outlines above in detail, his traps are incredibly versatile.
I have used them in standard and some very creative ways.
They are also great as excluders when used in reverse with a nosecone.
Also great for starlings and other birds. Great bird excluders as well.
They do trap magic - save time and make money!