Chipmunks are mostly a nuisance, but they can cause real damage if left unchecked. While they rarely bite humans unprovoked, chipmunks carry fleas and ticks that can transmit disease to pets and people. More commonly, the danger is structural: their underground burrow systems can undermine patios, walkways, foundations, and retaining walls over time. Inside a home, chipmunks chew through insulation, wiring, and stored goods.

Homeowners across Durham Region – from Oshawa and Whitby to Pickering and Ajax – regularly deal with chipmunk activity, particularly in neighbourhoods bordering ravines, parks, and green spaces. If you’re noticing chipmunks around your property, it’s worth addressing sooner rather than later. What starts as a minor nuisance can become a costly problem.

Chipmunks are small and secretive, so an indoor infestation isn’t always obvious. Common signs include:

• Scratching or scurrying sounds in walls, attics, or crawl spaces – particularly during daytime hours, since chipmunks are diurnal (active during the day)
• Droppings that resemble small, dark grains of rice, found along baseboards or near entry points
• Chewed materials such as insulation, cardboard, or stored food packaging
• A musky odour coming from enclosed spaces
• Visible entry points – small gaps or gnaw marks near your foundation, vents, or where utility lines enter the home

We see this frequently in older homes throughout Bowmanville, Brooklin, and Courtice, as well as in newer developments in Whitby and Ajax where construction has disturbed natural chipmunk habitat. If you notice any of these signs, contact Affordable Pest Control for a professional inspection – chipmunks can squeeze through surprisingly small openings, and finding all entry points requires a trained eye.

Yes, our chipmunk removal process is fully humane. Our licensed technicians use live-trapping methods that capture chipmunks safely without harming them. Here’s what the process typically looks like:

1. Inspection – We assess your property to identify active burrow sites, entry points, and the extent of the infestation.
2. Live trapping – Traps are placed strategically in high-activity areas and checked regularly.
3. Relocation – Captured chipmunks are relocated to a suitable natural environment, in compliance with Ontario wildlife regulations.
4. Exclusion – We seal entry points and vulnerable areas to prevent re-entry.
5. Prevention advice – We walk you through steps to make your property less attractive to chipmunks going forward.

Our staff are licensed and certified with over a decade of experience serving homeowners across Durham and York Region, including Oshawa, Whitby, Pickering, Ajax, Uxbridge, Stouffville, Markham, Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Newmarket, and surrounding communities. We take a careful, wildlife-respectful approach at every step.

The cost of chipmunk removal depends on the size of your property, the severity of the infestation, and whether exclusion work is needed. Every job is different – a townhome in Whitby or Ajax presents a different scope than a larger property in Uxbridge, Brock, or East Gwillimbury.

That’s why we offer free, no-obligation quotes to homeowners throughout Durham and York Region, including Oshawa, Pickering, Bowmanville, Courtice, Brooklin, Markham, Thornhill, Woodbridge, Maple, Georgina, King City, and everywhere in between. Call us at (905) 425-0589 or (647) 966-3742 – we’re available 7 days a week, 7 AM to 11 PM, with no hidden fees.

Once chipmunks are removed, keeping them out requires a combination of exclusion and habitat modification. Here are the most effective steps:

• Seal entry points – Close gaps around your foundation, vents, utility lines, and window wells using wire mesh or exterior-rated caulk.
• Remove food sources – Keep bird feeders away from the house or use feeders with catch trays. Store birdseed, pet food, and garden bulbs in sealed containers.
• Manage landscaping – Trim shrubs and ground cover back from your foundation. Remove rock piles and wood stacks that chipmunks can burrow under. This is especially important in areas like Stouffville, Aurora, and Newmarket, where mature trees and garden-heavy properties create ideal chipmunk habitat.
• Use natural deterrents – Cayenne pepper or predator-scent granules around garden beds can discourage activity without harming wildlife.
• Schedule a follow-up inspection – Our team serves all of Durham and York Region and can return to check that exclusion work is holding and address any new activity early.

Whether you’re in Pickering, Richmond Hill, Vaughan, or a rural part of Brock Township, our removal service includes exclusion recommendations tailored to your property – so you’re not just solving today’s problem, you’re preventing the next one.