on the plant, or sprinkling baby powder on the plant. You may wish to visit a nursery or home Living with center for commercial products. FOR MORE INFORMATION ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS... If you fi nd a wild animal and are concerned, • As a last resort, trapping can be an effective Chipmunks leave it alone and call Brukner Nature Center method of dealing with troublesome wildlife. at 937-698-6493, seven days a week, The most commonly used device is a live- 24 hours a day. trap which captures the animal physically and unharmed. Traps should be checked twice a day (morning and evening) to replenish bait or to humanely deal with captured animals. Ground Raccoons, opossums, and skunks cannot be released off-site, they must be euthanized or Squirrels released on the same property. Contact the ODNR Division of Wildlife (1-800-Wildlife) for additional trapping regulations. • Do not use poisons. Poisons are illegal, inhu- in Miami County mane and may result in secondary poisoning of raptors, wild scavengers and neighborhood pets. • Native wildlife is legally protected. It is illegal for anyone to possess a native wild animal unless permitted by the ODNR Division of Wildlife. Wildlife rehabilitators have a permit to care for orphaned or injured wildlife 5995 Horseshoe Bend Rd. PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERNS Troy, OH 45373 Due to the large teeth typical of rodents, chip- www.bruknernaturecenter.com munks and ground squirrels can infl ict a nasty bite. As with all wild animals, they should never Brukner Nature Center is a non-profit, privately be hand-fed or encouraged to approach humans. funded organization promoting the appreciation If your pet gets into a fi ght with a squirrel, it should and understanding of wildlife conservation through be checked carefully for bite wounds. Consult preservation, education, and rehabilitation. your veterinarian for further advice. The purpose of our wildlife rehabilitation program is Chipmunks and 13-lined ground squirrels are to educate people regarding the natural history of not considered to be a signifi cant source of any Ohio’s wildlife, to offer help and advice when wildlife and people confl ict, and to care for, rehabilitate, and infectious disease transmittable to humans. release native Ohio wildlife expected to survive in their They may be carriers of rabies, although there natural environment. have not been any rabid chipmunks or ground squirrels in Miami County in recent years. hipmunks and ground squirrels are com proximately 2 inches in diameter. Both chipmunks They may injure infant wildlife that are too young C monly mistaken for the same animal. How- and 13-lined ground squirrels will have multiple to escape. ever, they both have distinguishing marks and entrances to their burrows. (Chipmunks normally It is important to use all the techniques at the different habits. The chipmunk has fi ve dark- have one active entrance). These tunnels can be same time in order for the deterrents to be suc- brown, length- up to 20 to 30 feet long, making it diffi cult to evict cessful. To determine if the animal has left a den wise stripes the animals. site, wad up newspaper and pack it into the den from its head entrance. This also helps to hold in ammonia to its rump PREVENTING PROBLEMS fumes. If the chipmunk or ground squirrel is still and runs with Do not encourage chipmunks or ground squir- using the den, the newspaper will be pulled out. its tail straight rels by feeding them. Do not allow spillage to If after a few days the newspaper has not been up, looking like accumulate outside of bird feeders. Use welded disturbed, securely repair any access openings. a zooming re- wire to prevent animals from accessing openings Failure to do so mote-controlled under decks, elevated sheds, concrete slabs and may result in the car. Chipmunks porches. Secure outside access to crawl spaces. chipmunk, ground eat a variety of squirrel or another berries, nuts, RECOMMENDED DETERRENTS animal moving in. and seeds and may occasionally climb a tree Chipmunks and ground squirrels are easily fright- to fi nd food. They may occasionally eat small ened. Leave infl ated beach balls in the yard. The EATING BULBS animals, including insects, earthworms, slugs, wind will blow them around and frighten the ani- Daffodils, jonquils, young mice and birds, and small frogs or snakes. mals. Place plastic bags on sticks in various spots grape hyacinths Some chipmunks may hibernate while others in your yard for the same effect. Scarecrows and and crown imperial continue to be active throughout the winter. objects that move in the wind are also effective. bulbs are known to be distasteful to chipmunks The 13-lined ground squirrel has 13 lines on its However, animals will grow used to these items, and ground squirrels. The crown imperial has back from the head to the rump. They prefer open and their effectiveness will diminish. a horrible smell, and below-ground diners are grasslands where they feed on equal amounts Place lighting, such as bright fl ashlights, fl ood known to avoid it. Interplant crown imperials of animal and plant foods. Their diet includes lamps or blinking strands of holiday lights in the among tulips and other “tasty” bulbs. Use insects, grasshoppers, moths and butterfl ies, den. It is best to leave the lights on 24 hours a chicken wire as a barricade by placing it on the earthworms, young birds and mice, seeds, fruits, day. If this is not possible, the lights must be on fl owerbed surface, and then scatter a light layer nuts, roots, and foliage. At the end of summer, the during the nigh to disturb the animal’s sleep. of mulch or leaves over the chicken wire. Be 13-lined ground squirrel will fatten up in prepara- sure to pick up bulb skins that fl ake off during Play a radio, portable alarm clock, noisy children’s tion for hibernation. planting and to spread a thick layer of mulch toy or anything that makes noise repeatedly either over the bulbs to remove signs of recent plant- in or near the den. It is best to have the sound LIVING IN YOUR YARD ing. The chicken wire should be pulled up in the on for 24 hours a day. If this is not possible, the Chipmunks prefer timber borderlands but have spring so the bulbs can grow. sound must be on during the night to disturb the adapted to suburban neighborhoods where they animal’s sleep. will dig tunnels under shrubs and trees, fl ower- GARDENS beds, rocks, woodpiles, stone walls, sidewalks, Place rags soaked in ammonia in the den for one Taste deterrents work; however, they need to and porches. Neatly manicured lawns, golf week. Ammonia has an irritating smell over time; be reapplied after a heavy dew or rain. Recom- courses and cemeteries are excellent habitats the ammonia will dissipate so it is important to re- mended deterrents include spraying a mixture for 13-lined ground squirrels, which prefer open soak the rags daily. Very important: do not use of one gallon of water and two tablespoons of grasslands. The holes to the tunnels are ap- ammonia-soaked rags from March to August. hot sauce onto the plant, spraying garlic puree