Chipmunk proof bird feeders vs. anti-squirrel feeders

If you are into bird feeding and live in the area where both the chipmunks and the squirrels scrutinize your bird feeder, here you'll find some valuable information on how to beat them both with single hit by either constructing your own homemade chipmunk proof feeder or buying one. 

Chipmunks are potentially more dangerous than the squirrels 

That's the thesis I'll try to justify here.
But first I want to address the questions from many bird lovers asking for the same advice:

Is there any difference between chipmunk proof and squirrel proof bird feeders?
Or:
Is anti-squirrel bird feeder effective against chipmunks too?

I think the above questions deserve the answers having in mind that most of the reviewers like myself often totally forget about the chipmunks and place an accent on squirrels exclusively when writing about pest-free bird feeding.
That's why the anti-chipmunk properties of some of the best bird feeders money can buy are rarely mentioned and that's unfortunately the rule of the thumb.

Still, the thieving potential of the chipmunks is not a subject to underestimate especially having in mind their cheek pouches are able to stash great loads of loot, even up to three times the volume of their head!
As you have probably noticed, the motto of this pest-free bird feeding website is "...because Chip & Dale suck". Please note that Chip and Dale are chipmunks, not the squirrels. And there is good reason for that.

Now seriously, before I answer the above questions, let's get to know the advantages of our enemy first: the chipmunks.
Sun Tzu said it very important when preparing for war. :)

Chipmunks vs. Squirrels - the differences in bird feeder proofing 

Squirrels are bigger and heavier than chipmunks...

Don't worry - this is not going to turn into biology class. The idea is: if the chipmunks and the squirrels are relatives and pretty similar kinds of animals, than bird feeder proofing strategy should work for both, right?

Theoretically speaking - yes.
 
Squirrel proof bird feeders should also act as chipmunk proof bird feeders.

But there's more to it. Please read on...

No matter how similar the chipmunks and the squirrels are, it's the differences between them that are of key importance for chipmunk bird feeder proofing.

Except for the approximate visual impression, the chipmunks and the squirrels are very different animals in terms of life cycle, habitats, mating and production of offspring, etc. For example, chipmunks are predominantly underground creatures, spending over 15 hours per day in burrows, while most of the squirrels prefer trees or ground dwellings. Chipmunks are hibernating throughout the winter time, while squirrels don't. Someone said that the squirrels compared to chipmunks are the same as the rats compared to the mice.

Now please pay attention because here's the difference of the utmost importance for safe bird feeding: the chipmunks are generally smaller in size than the squirrels and less in weight than the squirrels!
Believe it or not, these are the two most important advantages the chipmunks will use to outsmart your bird feeder that otherwise works just fine against the squirrels.
That's why I think the chipmunks are even more dangerous than the squirrels in terms of pest-free bird feeding.

Let's address both of these advantages and make the strategy how to beat them both.

Weight advantage of chipmunks over your feeder  

The vast majority of commercially made squirrel proof bird feeders work under the same rule: squirrels are heavier than the birds. Once a squirrel steps on feeder's active surface (usually the perch) with its full weight, squirrel proofing mechanism will activate in order to prevent the squirrel reach the bird seed. This type of bird feeders is known by the name weight activated squirrel proof bird feeders. They are all pretty reliable in terms of squirrel proofness because they have been adjusted to trigger squirrel proof mechanism at the point of the weight of the average squirrel. But what happens when a chipmunk that is twice or three times less in weight steps on it? Probably nothing.

But there is solution to it!

Some of those feeders threshold are adjusted with factory defaults and there's nothing you can do about it. Those feeders are certainly NOT of your interest if you want to get rid of the chipmunks.

Luckily, some other feeders are fully customizable by simple setting procedure to whatever threshold you desire, even the threshold for chipmunks or bigger birds if you will.
Typical representative of custom weight adjustable feeders is famous Brome Squirrel Buster Plus.
 

Body size advantage of chipmunks over your feeder  

Small body size of chipmunks compared to the average squirrel body size may also present serious issue in your feeder's anti-pest defense because the chipmunks can go where the squirrels can't.
This can be the problem if your feeder features some kind of mechanical barrier to stop the squirrels entering your seed tray.

Examples:
In case you are about to construct your own feeder like this homemade squirrel proof bird feeder, or intend to chipmunk proof your existing bird feeder in the vein of commercially made caged bird feeders, take good care that the bars are tight enough for the chipmunks, but loose enough for the birds to pass through.

Other means of chipmunk proof bird feeding    

Here are some additional ideas on how to improve your anti-chipmunk strategy:

1. Just like the squirrels, chipmunks are mammals too and therefore able to feel small electric shocks. Squirrel shocking bird feeders are another great way to deter chipmunks from your garden and never to come back again.
2. Chipmunks have the same kind of mouth taste receptors like the squirrels do. They both just can't stand the taste of seeds mixed with spicy hot pepper, while the birds don't care at all. So, it's always good idea to fill the feeder with bird food squirrels hate, sit back and watch what happens next :)   
3. Always remember to protect your feeder and your feeder pole with anti-squirrel baffles. Baffles are equally effective against both the chipmunks and the squirrels. "No pasaran"!        

Non-typical advice to you all

Never feel sorry for leaving chipmunks without food. Yes I know they are terribly cute or at least tend to be, but if you ever start to feel compassion towards them, always remember the chipmunks are omnivores that will eat anything on their way from any kind of seed and insect, all the way to the frogs! Yes, the frogs!
And do remember that chipmunks are preppers. The amount of food they collect over the summer is for sure bigger than the doomsday supplies in my cellar.

Conclusion

It's time to conclude: not every squirrel proof bird feeder is chipmunk proof bird feeder, while every chipmunk proof bird feeder is squirrel proof at the same time.
Use the above advice to let the chipmunks know they are not invited for the dinner today!

Enjoy.