If you are bit by a chipmunk, wash the bite with soap and water. However, this is preventable through vaccination. The good news is that these pests rarely carry rabies, but it is still a possibility.Īnother rare outcome from a chipmunk bite is tetanus. Swelling, redness, oozing, and fever are symptoms of infection. If not treated correctly, these wounds become infected and lead to tissue damage. But if the chipmunk feels threatened or trapped, then it may bite. In general, they will scurry away if they have the chance to bite you. If left untreated, all three illnesses can result in death.Ĭhipmunks are not known to be aggressive. People contract hantavirus through close contact with rodent urine or feces.
You can be infected with this bacteria via the bites of fleas carried by infected rodents.Ĭhipmunks spread salmonella the same way, which can lead to severe gastrointestinal discomfort and joint pain.įinally, hantavirus affects the lungs. Plague is a bacterial infection that attacks the immune system. The most common diseases chipmunks are most commonly known to spread include plague, salmonella, and hantavirus. Chewing can leave tooth marks and scratches all over your property. That includes any wooden item on your property. The larger the infestation, the more potential for extensive foundational damage.īeyond their burrows, chipmunks themselves are known to chew wooden structures of all kinds. Burrows that create open spaces under structures may affect the integrity of the structure above it as the dirt settles over time.
Chipmunk damage series#
With a series of tunnel systems underground, these burrows can cause damage to decks, patios, sheds, and foundations. These burrows can be up to 30 feet long and several feet deep. But these animals can cause a multitude of problems if their population continues to grow on your property.Ĭhipmunk burrows can pose a major threat to any structures on your property.
When Should You Be Concerned About Zoonotic Diseases From Nuisance Wildlife?Ĭhipmunks can seem harmless at first glance. Tab will move on to the next part of the site rather than go through menu items. Enter and space open menus and escape closes them as well. Up and Down arrows will open main level menus and toggle through sub tier links. Left and right arrows move across top level links and expand / close menus in sub levels. The site navigation utilizes arrow, enter, escape, and space bar key commands.