While not as common as squirrels, chipmunks have an endearing spot in American pop culture. But dealing with the real thing rarely involves singing or saving animals.
Spotting chipmunk poop is a rare event, and one that should be taken seriously. Let’s take a moment to discuss why this is and how to make sure the droppings you’re seeing are from a chipmunk and not some other critter.
Related: How to Keep Chipmunks Away From Your Property
What Does Chipmunk Poop Look Like?
It can be pretty easy to mistake chipmunk pellets with those of other rodents. Thankfully, you can narrow the list of suspects with a bit of detective work. Chipmunks rarely poop in the open, so there’s a good chance those droppings are from something else.
Shape and Size
Chipmunk droppings are similar in appearance to those of mice. They’re cylindrical and slightly tapered at both ends. Each dropping will generally measure 1/4 to 3/8 inches long (roughly the size of a grain of rice).
Color and Consistency
When fresh, the droppings will be moist but firm. As they age, they’ll dry and harden. Coloration ranges from dark brown to black and tends to have a slight shine while fresh.
What’s In It?
When examining the droppings closely, you may find remnants of seeds or plant matter due to their diet. Unlike many other rodents, chipmunks aren’t in the habit of consuming insects.
Smell
Chipmunk scat typically has a mild, musky odor that is not particularly strong or pungent. The smell is generally faint and less noticeable compared to the droppings of larger animals. This mild odor makes it relatively easy to miss unless you are in close proximity to the droppings.
Location
This is where identification takes a strange turn compared to other rodents. You might find the odd dropping in your garden or on your porch. The latter usually only happens when these pests are marking territory.
In truth, you usually won’t see chipmunk droppings because they prefer to hide their poop underground to make it harder for predators to zero in on their location. Much like rats, they prefer to create latrines, but on a much smaller scale. Thus, finding a small pile of waste in plain sight is pretty rare.
Chipmunk Poop vs Other Animal Droppings
The single most common case of mistaken identity is with mouse droppings. The shape is nearly identical, although mouse droppings are smaller at around 1/8 to 1/4 inches long.
Meanwhile, rat droppings are more sharply tapered at the ends and much larger in size, making it easier to tell the two apart. Both mice and rats have a more musty odor to their poop compared to the sharper scent of chipmunk droppings.
While there’s also a similarity to squirrel droppings, the coloration is different, and squirrel poop is slightly larger and will turn gray as it ages, while that of chipmunks will retain the original color. Thus, you can isolate a sample for a couple days to see if it changes in color or consistency. If it generally looks unchanged, you have a chipmunk.
Comparison Chart
| Animal | Size | Shape | Contents | Odor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chipmunk | 1/4" to 3/8" long | Cylindrical with tapered ends | Berries, seeds, plant matter | Mild, earthy smell |
| Bat | 1/8" to 1/2" long | Tubular, segmented | Insect debris for insectivores, seeds for fruit bats, or dried blood for vampire bats | Pungent, musky |
| Coyote | 3-5" long, 0.75-1.5" diameter | Twisted rope w/ segments, tapered ends | Fur, bones, seeds, grass, nuts, fruits, berries | Variable, can be strong |
| Domestic Cat | 1" long, 1/2" diameter | Segmented | Less likely to contain food remnants | Pungent, distinct odor |
| Fox | 2-3" long, 1/2" diameter | Rope-like or twisted, segmented, tapered ends | Fur, bones, or other prey remnants | Slightly pungent |
| Goose | 2-3" long, 1/2" diameter | Tubular, may spread due to liquid urates | Grass and other plant matter, berries | Usually mild |
| Mouse | 1/8" to 1/4" long | Cylindrical with tapered ends | Fruit, seeds, insects | Slight musky |
| Opossum | 1-2" long, 3/4" diameter | Elongated, tubular, slight curve | Fruits, insects, and other soft foods | Mild odor |
| Rabbit | Less than 1" | Round pellets | Plant matter | Mild odor |
| Raccoon | 2-3" long, 3/4" diameter | Tubular, segmented | Seeds, berries, garbage, or debris | Mild odor |
| Skunk | 1-2" long, 1/2" diameter | Tubular, segmented | Seeds, insect parts, fur, or feathers | Slight musky |
| Snake | 1-12" long, 0.4-1.6" diameter | Smooth, oblong, soft or runny | Fur, bones, feathers, or other prey remnants | Faint odor to pungent |
| Squirrel | 3/8" long, 1/8" diameter | Oblong pellets | May contain traces of wood or nuts | Mild, earthy smell |
Are Chipmunk Droppings Dangerous?
Unlike other rodent droppings, this question comes down to where the poop is. First, let’s look at the risks, then we’ll address the curious benefits of having a chipmunk pooping on your property.
Parasites
As with many other critters, parasites such as intestinal worms, fleas, or ticks may be present in or near the droppings. These parasites may contaminate a pet or child that comes into contact with the droppings.
Bacterial and Viral Diseases
Chipmunks can carry numerous diseases that are harmful to humans. If a carrier poops where you or your family can come in contact with it, there’s a risk of contracting hantavirus, leptospirosis, salmonella, or up to 40 other various diseases.
Some of these can be life-threatening to humans or pets. On top of that, some of these diseases can become airborne, meaning if you’re smelling the poop, you could be also inhaling several of these diseases.
Odor and Property Damage
you’re unlucky enough to have a chipmunk leave droppings in your garden, basement, or on the porch, the odor is usually mild and not particularly off-putting. The droppings themselves aren’t as likely to cause damage, but urine can leave stains.
Additionally, while it rarely happens, chipmunk burrows may cause some risk to your foundation over time, as having tunnels under your home makes the ground less stable.
The Curious Benefits of Chipmunk Poop
Let’s say you have a chipmunk living in your yard that isn’t attacking your garden or plants. You’re not seeing any droppings, either. Believe it or not, this could end up being a great benefit to said garden.
Chipmunks eat a lot of berries, fungi, and plant matter and that means a lot of nutrients. Undigested seeds allow plants to spread, and the droppings also spread mycorrhiza, which is a fungus that can help plants absorb water and nutrients.
Thus, as long as the chipmunk is properly using its in-burrow latrines, there are no risks (beyond the burrow itself) and several benefits to chipmunk poop.
What to Do If You Find Chipmunk Droppings
Due to the risk of disease, it’s a good idea to remove chipmunk droppings as soon as possible. You will also need to take some safety precautions.
Grab some gloves that can be later disinfected. Dish gloves are a great choice because you can boil them or soak them in a bleach solution afterwards. Just don’t use the same pair you do dishes with. Optionally, you may want to wear a mask to prevent inhalation of bacteria and wear long sleeves. Once you’re ready:
- Cordon off the area to keep children and pets away.
- Using a piece of paper or other disposable, flat item, gently scoop up the droppings and put them in a sealable plastic baggie such as a snack-sized storage bag.
- Dispose of the bag in an outdoor garbage bin.
- Clean the area and any tools or equipment you used with a solution of one part bleach to ten parts water.
- Consider using repellents to discourage the chipmunk from pooping in that location again or get rid of them.
Morgan is a certified entomologist and pest control consultant and a member of the National Pest Management Association.
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