Expert: Stephen Vantassel - 7/18/2006

Question
We keep finding feces in our garage - doesn't quite look like mouse or rat droppings - can you please identify chipmunk feces?  We have set two mouse traps with peanut butter but have had no bites - if it were a mouse or rat wouldn't it have gone for the bait?

Any help would be appreciated

Answer
Tips on identifying feces can be found at http://icwdm.org/Inspection/droppingfeces.asp

As for the traps, if it is a rat, then it isn't uncommon for rats to wait 2 weeks or more before they interact with a trap. If they are well fed, maybe longer. Rats are neophobic.
Second, did you set the traps in good locations. Trapping tips can be found at http://icwdm.org

Finally, are the droppings really from a rodent? Could they be bat?

If it is a chipmunk, mouse traps won't work even if the chipmunk was attracted to peanut butter which is not a good bait. Instead, get expanded trigger rat traps, and glue sunflower seeds to the trigger. Don't use these traps outside as birds will be attracted to the seeds.

Also before any trapping takes place, you should check with local laws on trapping in your state. State agencies can be found at http://icwdm.org/VendorsService/default.asp