From bad to worse...

[alan]

Can anybody tell me tips for catching a chipmunk??? Can ya believe it but Frasier has escaped  As usual I had let the two out for a while in my room. I put them back in their aviary so i could open my door and head downstairs. Considering how nice the weather is I decided I was going to treat them by giving them a cob of sweetcorn. It had to be boiled because it was frozen. I was literally out 5 mins when one of the girls called for me. They seen a chipmunk dashing out the door at front of the house. I live in a mature housing estate. Last I seen of him was running across a wall and into a bush. I have asked neighbors to call me and have Cybil outside in the cage with a bowl of nuts beside the cage.

I cant believe it!!!! I always lock the cage. The little door needs to be lifted to open. It slides up so there is no possibility it could have been accidentally open. My guess is he lifted with his nose and crawled out. Does anyone have any idea how to lure the little brat back? 

[Nate]

Very sorry to read this, he will be very frightened and be looking for cover.

Try to get hold of a cardboard tube about a metre long that you can put near him to encourage him into. One end should be blocked off.

Hopefully he is tame and knows the sound of your voices. yes treats are a good thing to have with you, but this may take hours of waiting.

Good luck.

[Chiptastic]

Where do you keep your chippies? If in an outdoor aviary, can you take your other chippie out, and leave the door open? He may very well come home on his own before nightfall since he's out there all alone. If he's kept indoors and has gotten outdoors, maybe leaving a familiar toy he'll go into if he's tame, or a safe trap if not, with his favorite snacks outside? I've never had a chippie escape into the wild, but that's what I've read as working.

[alan]

My chippies are indoors, but I bring cage outside on really nice days. Ive taken your advice and although Cybil might not be too happy, I have put him in the teporary cage, for when im cleaning thier main cage.I put in lots of goodied and hay for him to be somewhat happy. The main cage is now outside with both doors on it held open. He has his nest there and i have put lots and lots of food in there too, including the damn sweetcorn!!!!! I hope he gets tired and finds his way back. I know when he was tired in my room he would try get back into cage to sleep. Oh and yeah, he is very quiet, he never bites, always lets me pick him up, and even climbs up on me, without any fear. Fingers crossed i guess

[Nate]

Chiptastic post reminded me of a post we had on here where the owner went to their garden center and bought a humane squirrel or rat trap and was able to tempt their pet into it with treats.

[alan]

I hope he comes back. Dont want to loose another friendly chippie One of the girls in the house made a call to a pet store, and apparently they have a chippie in stock. Now im worried about him too because that pet shop said that their chipmunk is very aggressive and wont relax in the cage at all. That saays to me that the cage is really small and he is extremely stressed. Might have to rescue the poor guy... But I really want my Frasier back, I am going to leave the cage out. Hopefully whenhe tires he might return...

[chip`n`dale]

Sorry to hear about your escapee, i hope he comes back to you soon.

[DayleC]

I brought a HAVAHART trap....cost me £26 and I wouldn't be without it!    Catches them live...I've used it to catch them many a time even when they have been running about indoors and don't want to be caught..

[Sarah-Jane]

Oh dear! I had this prob I sat outside all day. I took food with me and sat waiting to hear them. They shouldn't go far!! Keep ur eyes peeled.... Food luck Hun! X

[pinkpill]

sorry ur chippie escaped try shaking some monkey nuts around the place and cut up apple smells quite nice to them and i av a squirrel trap it was great idea but my chippe went in nicked the bait n ran out without setting the trap off  but on the sweetcorn subject u can give them corn on the cob frozen they love it especially on these hot days 

[alan]

Thanks for all your help guys. Still no sign of Frasier. I have lots of treats left out for him but its not making any difference  I made e few calls and nobody has any of the humane pet catcher cages. I think ill make up one. I still have cage left outside hoping he might return. Cybil is still in the temporary cage and seems very quiet. Ive given him nice treats too. Id say he is wondering whats up..

[jules]

Hi Alan, if you go to afarmtype petstore they actaully sell a large squirrel traps or rat traps where you place food on a mat  (but i used to tie it will string  otherwise they dont have enough weight to make pedal operate door, and no i have never caught chipmunks this way but over 200 feral cats in much large trap),and the door closes as they pull string  last one ibought cost about £15.00 , but you need to be aware that by law you have tostay with it at all times incase you catch some wildlife and you will need alot of patience, ( i spent 40 hours waiting for 1 cat and kitten)also try ebay for humane rat or squirrel traps

[xxjane88xx]

OMG I'm so sorry to hear your little man escaped!    All I could say is phone the local SPCA and see if they could help you out with the trap.  Keep your fingers crossed...  Do any of your neighbours have one of those humane rat traps??

Hopefully you'll find him...    The little brat!  

[alan]

Thanks for the info Jules. I have put Cybil back in the main cage and now made up my own trap. Its a bin, with something like a plank leading onto the top of it. If something walks up it to get the food I put there, bolognese and cheese!!!, the plank will collapse and whatever stood there will have fallen to a soft hay landing. Im hoping this works  

[alan]

Hi Jane. Ive asked around and nobody has seen him, apart from one neighbor, but he was long gone by that stage. He could be anywhere in Maynooth at this stage!!! Hopefully my trap works. Fingers crossed.