Chipmunks Digging Up Your Yard? Say So Long Without Harming Them

Have you noticed that there seems to be an explosion of chipmunks this year? Everywhere I look, there they are, scurrying around, having the time of their lives, and digging up my lawn. So what gives? Is it just me or has there been a love of loving going on in the rodent department?

It turns out that the mild winter and a mast year for acorns this past fall are both to blame for our abundance of chipmunks. More food and warmer temperatures seem simple enough - plenty of opportunities to store up supplies and a fairly comfortable climate to do it. So now that we know why, the next question is what can we do about it?

Chipmunks are relatively harmless in that they are small, non-aggressive, and will generally skedaddle at the first sight of a human. However, they are burrowing animals and spend most of the winter underground where they sleep, live, and bring their food to store. This is the reason why you may be seeing small holes in your yard and flower beds. It’s more than likely that a chipmunk is trying to make a home there. 

While it’s annoying, these holes are usually just below the surface and aren’t cause for concern other than being unsightly. However, in rare cases, chipmunks can begin burrowing near foundations, especially around stairs, porches, and patios. The most common annoyance is generally for gardeners as chipmunks aren’t shy about devouring seeded fruits, vegetables, or flower bulbs. Birdseed and pet food also provide easy meals that will keep them hanging around. 

So if you have chipmunks in your yard and you want to get rid of them in a non-harmful way, you have a few options. First, be sure to remove anything that provides nuts, seeds, and berries, as this makes their job of foraging easier. Chipmunks have an amazing sense of smell and can’t stand some of the foods and flowers we love such as garlic and daffodils. Planting a few natural repellents will help keep the critters at bay. Any herbs or plants that are oil-producing such as peppermint, citrus, cinnamon, and eucalyptus are also fantastic deterrents. 

Finally, don’t give chipmunks easy places to hide. Wood piles, leaf debris, and old stone walls are perfect homes for chipmunks to get comfortable. By keeping your yard clean and free of food and shelter, the chipmunks will have nowhere else to go but your neighbor's yard. 

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Which Option Works Best for Keeping Sidewalks and Driveways Hazard Free?

While a White Christmas seemed far off this week, it is inevitable that more of the white stuff will be on its way come January. As far as snow goes, shoveling, and plowing are pretty straightforward methods of removal. But one question that I get asked all the time is how to choose the right melting agent to make snow and ice disappear from sidewalks and driveways. 

Snow melting agents generally come in two forms - traditional rock salt, also known as sodium chloride, and calcium chloride, which is the same compound used in sports drinks. While they sound similar, the two are actually quite different and each has its advantages and drawbacks. Sodium chloride, or rock salt, is a dry material that’s mined and applied to pavement using a walk-behind spreader or a commercial spreader mounted on a truck. Sodium chloride is activated by moisture and will begin to melt the snow when it gets wet. The problem with sodium chloride is that because it’s activated by water, it doesn’t work well if the temperature is below 15 degrees.  However, if temperatures are above 15 degrees, sodium chloride can be a good, inexpensive choice that will take longer to melt but will keep your walkways dry. If you have vegetation or animals, take note that sodium chloride will be harmful to plants and can hurt animals if ingested.

When temperatures dip below 15 degrees, calcium chloride is going to be your best bet. This liquid agent is sprayed onto the pavement and works instantly to melt snow and ice. In fact, calcium chloride can melt snow up to eight times faster than traditional rock salt alone. Of course, there are a few downsides to consider. Calcium chloride gets hot fast, so while its effective short term, it might not be able to do the full job in a huge storm. It’s also more expensive than traditional rock salt and stays wet, which can lead to slippery surfaces. On the plus side, it’s non-corrosive and won’t harm vegetation, although you’ll still want to keep your pets away from it. If in doubt, look for a calcium chloride pre-mixed with salt or abrasives to melt snow quickly while reducing the risk of creating a slippery surface.

Happy New Year Everyone! I hope you have a fantastic start to 2020.

Bob O'Donnell is the owner of O'Donnell Bros, Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro”. All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O'Donnell Bros, Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Don't Get Too Salty When Preparing for Snow Removal

While we’ve been lucky so far, snow removal is an inevitable chore that we Connecticut homeowners have come to accept as part of our winter routine. And while we’ve only had an early few inches, it’s always a good idea to be prepared for the main event come January.  

Shoveling and plowing are pretty straightforward activities, but one question that I get asked is how to choose the right melting product to make snow removal easier on the back and the wallet. Snow melting agents generally come in two forms - traditional rock salt, also known as sodium chloride, and calcium chloride. While they sound similar, the two are actually quite different and each has its advantages and drawbacks.

Sodium chloride, or rock salt, is a dry material that’s mined and applied to pavement using a walk behind residential spreader or commercial spreaders that are mounted on trucks. Sodium chloride is activated by moisture and will begin to melt the snow when it gets wet. The problem with sodium chloride is that because it’s activated by water, it doesn’t work well if the temperature is below 15 degrees.  However, if temperatures are above 15 degrees, sodium chloride can be a good, inexpensive choice that will take longer to melt but will keep your walkways dry. If you have vegetation or animals, take note that sodium chloride will be harmful to plants and can hurt animals if ingested.

When temperatures dip below 15 degrees, calcium chloride is going to be your best bet. This liquid agent is sprayed onto payment and works instantly to melt snow and ice. In fact, calcium chloride can melt snow up to eight times faster than traditional rock salt alone. Of course, there are a few downsides to consider. Calcium chloride gets hot fast, so while its effective short term, it might not be able to do the full job in a huge storm. It’s also more expensive than traditional rock salt and stays wet, which can lead to slippery surfaces. On the plus side, it’s non-corrosive and won’t harm vegetation, although you’ll still want to keep your pets away from it.

Bob O'Donnell is the owner of O'Donnell Bros, Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro”. All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O'Donnell Bros, Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.