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NJCher

(43,630 posts)
Sun May 31, 2026, 05:03 PM 19 hrs ago

How do I get this Chipmunk Out of My House?

I have had to shut off my cat's door several times because he brought in a chipmunk. We live on a private road which dead ends, and it's safe to let a cat outside.

In the past, taking his door away has worked well. In fact, it has worked because it's been years since he brought in a chippie. The birds are wise to him. He never catches birds. I think it's because of the unique geography of the place.

Well, the magic wore off and he brought in a chippie yesterday. Poor little thing is behind the radiator in the LR, right across from the front exit. I have had the door open all day, hoping he would make a break for it, but thus far, no.

Any suggestions on how I can get him out of my house?

12 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
How do I get this Chipmunk Out of My House? (Original Post) NJCher 19 hrs ago OP
My thoughts.. ZDU 19 hrs ago #1
what would you do NJCher 19 hrs ago #3
Break-away collar... with a bell ZDU 18 hrs ago #9
Use a small humane mouse trap & load it with peanut butter. SheltieLover 19 hrs ago #2
I have one of those NJCher 19 hrs ago #4
If it's too small, get a bigger one. SheltieLover 19 hrs ago #5
Put a glove on and pick him up, gab13by13 19 hrs ago #6
Catch it in a butterfly net UpInArms 18 hrs ago #7
Chase him with a flat broom bucolic_frolic 18 hrs ago #8
teensy piece of cannabis cookie ShepKat 17 hrs ago #10
Go back to that house,... magicarpet 17 hrs ago #11
This happened to me about 20 years ago. OAITW r.2.0 16 hrs ago #12

ZDU

(1,435 posts)
1. My thoughts..
Sun May 31, 2026, 05:05 PM
19 hrs ago

It is really not safe to allow the cat to torture and kill other animals... sad

NJCher

(43,630 posts)
3. what would you do
Sun May 31, 2026, 05:15 PM
19 hrs ago

My situation:

I tried to make him a house cat and he urinated on my furniture for two weeks.

I couldn't take him back to the pet shelter. By then there was an emotional bond.

This cat plays hardball.

ZDU

(1,435 posts)
9. Break-away collar... with a bell
Sun May 31, 2026, 06:22 PM
18 hrs ago

If it's an outdoor cat, please consider a break-away collar with a bell or two jungle bells. It alerts his victims in advance.

SheltieLover

(81,930 posts)
2. Use a small humane mouse trap & load it with peanut butter.
Sun May 31, 2026, 05:07 PM
19 hrs ago

Keep the cat out of the room, of course

NJCher

(43,630 posts)
4. I have one of those
Sun May 31, 2026, 05:16 PM
19 hrs ago

Good idea, I'll try it. I'm just a little concerned it might be too small for him, but really, a chippie is about the size of a mouse.

Thanks!

ShepKat

(555 posts)
10. teensy piece of cannabis cookie
Sun May 31, 2026, 06:41 PM
17 hrs ago

Once he calms down- he won't fight. Had to do this to a skunk in a havaheart trap.
Problem was, once released, he kept coming back !

OAITW r.2.0

(32,749 posts)
12. This happened to me about 20 years ago.
Sun May 31, 2026, 07:49 PM
16 hrs ago

I managed to trap this creature in the bathroom. First, get some gloves on. Not mittens, leather or canvas type are recommended. I spent about 10 minutes trying to grab it, It even jumped into the toilet then sprung out. I finally grabbed it. He bit into the gloves, but no puncture wound. Walked it outside and launched it into the woods. Problem solved.

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