What is the primary reason for using traps against chipmunks?

Using traps against chipmunks primarily serves the purpose of controlling their population. This is important, especially in areas where chipmunks may become a nuisance due to their burrowing behavior, which can damage gardens, landscaping, and infrastructures. Population control helps maintain a balance in the ecosystem and can prevent the spread of diseases, as well as reduce competition for resources among wildlife.

While relocating chipmunks to a "safer environment" may be a consideration, it often leads to challenges such as stress on the animals and the potential for them to disrupt existing ecosystems in the areas they are moved to. Ensuring their safety and observing their behavior can be parts of wildlife research or management strategies, but they are secondary to the primary goal of managing population levels.