Who hasn't heard of the Chipmunks? They're fun. They're adorable. But these lovable cartoon characters can make us feel slightly more endeared to the little rodents that run around in our yards and chew their way into our homes, and that can be a bad thing. So, here is a quick guide to what makes cartoon chipmunks and real chipmunks different.

1. Real chipmunks sing, but they don't do pop tunes. Sure, real chipmunks can chatter, but you can hardly compare their songs to the chart toppers those cartoon chipmunks can belt out. And, cartoon chipmunks have back-up singers. Real chipmunks can't carry a tune, and--quite frankly--they just sound annoying when they try.

2. Cartoon chipmunks don't have parasites. Being that cartoon chipmunks are the creation of animators, they don't have the problems real chipmunks have, like dealing with parasites. Real chipmunks have fur. That means they have to deal with fleas, ticks, mites and lice, just like all the other furry woodland creatures. And, if some real chipmunks chew their way into your house, they can bring these parasites in with them.

3. Cartoon chipmunks don't use sharp incisors to get into your home. It's true. Cartoon chipmunks use things like DVDs and the Internet to get into your home. These don't damage your home at all. Those real chipmunks have front teeth that never stop growing to chew through soft, rotted wood and gain entrance to your wall voids.

4. Real chipmunks don't live in your TV. Since cartoon chipmunks are pretty much only in your TV, or some kind of digital device, you don't have to worry about them leaving feces and urine in your walls or attic spaces. You also don't have to worry about them tearing up your insulation and other interior items.

5. You don't need a pest control company for cartoon chipmunks. If you don't want cartoon chipmunks in your home, all you have to do is throw out the DVD. Sure, sometimes your kids will sneak them back in on Netflix or Hulu, but it is easy enough to get rid of them again. If you want real chipmunks taken care of, you're going to need a real pest control company with the expertise and training to deal with wildlife issues.

If you live in Albany, call Thomas Pest Services. We safely remove real chipmunks and other real wildlife from homes and businesses. Sure, real chipmunks can be as adorable as those cartoon chipmunks, but as you can clearly see, they don't belong in your home. Get our experts to help you safely and gently return them to where they belong: scampering around in nature.