Best Ways How Do You Get Rid Of Chipmunks In The Yard

Best Ways How Do You Get Rid Of Chipmunks In The Yard

Getting rid of chipmunks in your yard often involves a combination of deterrence, exclusion, and habitat modification. To effectively deter chipmunks, you can use natural repellents, block their access to food and shelter, and seal entry points to burrows.

Chipmunks, those quick, stripey critters, can be a delightful sight in a garden, but their burrowing habits and appetite for bulbs, seeds, and berries can quickly turn them into a nuisance. If you’re asking yourself, “How do you get rid of chipmunks in the yard?” you’re not alone. Many gardeners find themselves battling these energetic rodents. The good news is that with a strategic approach, you can effectively manage chipmunk populations and protect your garden. This guide will delve into the best methods for controlling chipmunks, covering everything from natural solutions to more direct interventions, and helping you to get rid of rodents that are causing trouble.

Why Chipmunks Become a Problem

Chipmunks are primarily ground dwellers, known for their extensive tunnel systems. These tunnels can destabilize garden beds, damage roots of plants, and even undermine structures like patios or foundations. Their diet consists of seeds, nuts, berries, insects, and even small bulbs. When they decide your prize-winning tulips or your carefully planted vegetable seeds are on the menu, or their burrows are appearing in inconvenient places, it’s time to take action. Dealing with them is crucial for successful garden pest control.

Natural Ways to Deter Chipmunks

Many homeowners prefer to deter chipmunks using methods that are safe for the environment, pets, and other wildlife. These natural approaches focus on making your yard less appealing to them.

Making Your Yard Less Attractive

The first step in any pest management strategy is to remove the resources that attract them. For chipmunks, this means tackling their food sources and shelter.

• Remove Food Sources:

  • Bird Feeders: Chipmunks are notorious for raiding bird feeders. Consider using squirrel-proof feeders or placing feeders in areas that are less accessible to chipmunks. Clean up any spilled seed regularly, as this is a major attractant.
  • Fallen Fruit and Nuts: Regularly clear any fallen fruit or nuts from trees and bushes. This eliminates a readily available food source.
  • Pet Food: Never leave pet food outdoors, especially overnight. Store it in sealed containers.
  • Compost Piles: Ensure your compost pile is well-managed and enclosed. Avoid adding meat scraps or dairy products, which can attract a wider range of pests.

• Eliminate Shelter:

  • Clutter Reduction: Chipmunks love to hide and burrow in overgrown areas, woodpiles, brush piles, and dense vegetation. Keeping your yard tidy by removing debris, trimming overgrown bushes, and storing firewood off the ground can significantly reduce their hiding spots.
  • Covered Plantings: If chipmunks are a persistent problem, consider covering vulnerable plants, especially bulbs, with netting or chicken wire until they are established and larger.

Natural Chipmunk Repellents

There are several natural substances that can act as a chipmunk repellent. While their effectiveness can vary, many people find success with these options:

• Strong Scents: Chipmunks have a keen sense of smell and are often repelled by strong odors.

  • Castor Oil and Peppermint Oil: Mixing castor oil with a few drops of peppermint oil and water can be sprayed around areas where chipmunks are active. The strong scent is unpleasant to them.
  • Cayenne Pepper or Chili Powder: Sprinkling cayenne pepper or chili powder around burrows and plants can irritate their noses and paws, making them avoid the area. Reapply after rain.
  • Garlic and Onion: Planting garlic and onions interspersed with flowers and vegetables can help deter chipmunks due to their pungent smell.
  • Mothballs: While effective, mothballs contain naphthalene, which is toxic. Use them with extreme caution and only in areas inaccessible to children and pets. Their use is also discouraged in many areas due to environmental concerns.

• Predator Urine: The scent of natural predators like foxes or coyotes can signal danger to chipmunks. You can purchase predator urine granules or sprays from garden supply stores.

• Coffee Grounds: Some gardeners report success with scattering used coffee grounds around their yards. The smell and texture can be off-putting.

Physical Barriers and Exclusion Methods

Sometimes, natural repellents aren’t enough. Physical barriers are an excellent way to stop chipmunks from digging and accessing specific areas.

Sealing Burrows and Entry Points

Chipmunks create extensive burrow systems, often with multiple entrances. Identifying and sealing these entrances can encourage them to move on.

• Locate Entrances: Look for small, circular holes, typically about 2 inches in diameter, often near foundations, rocks, woodpiles, or dense ground cover. You might see small piles of excavated soil nearby.
• Seal Appropriately:
  • Gravel or Rocks: Filling small holes with gravel or rocks can make them unsuitable for entry.
  • Hardware Cloth: For more robust exclusion, especially around garden beds or structures, you can bury hardware cloth (1/4-inch mesh) around the perimeter. Bend the bottom edge outward at a 90-degree angle to prevent burrowing underneath.
  • Soil and Compost: Once you’re sure the burrow is empty (more on that below), you can fill it with soil and compost.

Protecting Your Garden Beds and Plants

Dedicated barriers can protect your valuable plants.

• Chicken Wire or Hardware Cloth Cages: For bulbs or seedlings, create small cages from chicken wire or hardware cloth to place over them. You can secure these with landscape staples.
• Raised Beds: Raised garden beds can make it more difficult for chipmunks to burrow into your soil. Ensure the sides are high enough or consider adding a mesh skirt around the base.
• Deer Fencing: While primarily for deer, a sturdy fence, at least 6-8 feet tall, can also deter chipmunks if it’s properly installed with an inward or outward slope at the top and buried at least 6 inches into the ground to prevent burrowing underneath.

Humane Chipmunk Removal and Relocation

If your goal is humane chipmunk removal, trapping and relocation is an option, though it comes with its own set of challenges and ethical considerations.

Live Trapping

Live traps are designed to catch animals without harming them.

• Choosing a Trap: Select a small, humane live trap specifically designed for rodents. The trap should be long enough to allow the chipmunk to enter fully without its tail sticking out.
• Baiting the Trap: Use attractive baits like peanut butter, sunflower seeds, or a piece of fruit. Place the bait at the back of the trap, past the trigger plate.
• Placement: Place the trap along known chipmunk pathways, near their burrows or feeding areas. Camouflage the trap slightly with leaves or grass to make it less conspicuous.
• Checking Traps Regularly: It is crucial to check traps frequently, at least twice a day (morning and evening). Leaving a trapped animal for too long can cause it stress, dehydration, or exposure to extreme weather.

Relocation Considerations

• Legality: Check local regulations regarding animal trapping and relocation. Some areas have restrictions or require permits.
• Distance: If you do relocate a chipmunk, take it at least 5-10 miles away from your home to prevent it from returning. Choose a suitable habitat with food and water sources.
• Ethical Debate: Relocation can be stressful for the animal and may not be successful if it cannot adapt to the new environment or if it encounters existing predators or territorial residents. It also doesn’t address the reason why chipmunks were attracted to your yard in the first place.

Managing Chipmunk Populations in the Long Term

Sustainable chipmunk prevention is key to keeping them from becoming a recurring problem. This involves ongoing habitat management and deterrence.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Approach

An integrated pest management approach combines various strategies for effective and long-term control.

• Identify the Root Cause: Are chipmunks finding easy food sources? Is there ample shelter? Addressing these underlying issues is more effective than simply reacting to their presence.
• Monitor and Adapt: Keep an eye on your yard for signs of chipmunk activity. If one method isn’t working, be prepared to try another or combine strategies.

Dealing with Ground Squirrels

It’s important to note that chipmunks are often confused with ground squirrels, which can have similar habits. While many of these methods will work for both, ground squirrels can sometimes be larger and more aggressive. If you suspect you’re dealing with ground squirrels, the same principles of food and shelter removal apply.

When to Call a Professional

In some cases, chipmunk infestations can be severe, or you might not have the time or resources to manage them yourself.

• Persistent Infestations: If you’ve tried various methods and the chipmunk problem persists or worsens, it might be time to consult a wildlife control professional.
• Structural Damage: If chipmunks are causing significant damage to your home’s foundation or other structures, a professional can offer more robust solutions.
• Safety Concerns: If you have concerns about safely handling or trapping animals, professionals have the expertise and equipment to do so.

Frequently Asked Questions About Chipmunks in the Yard

Q1: How can I stop chipmunks from digging in my flower beds?
A1: To stop chipmunks from digging, you can use physical barriers like chicken wire or hardware cloth buried around the beds, sprinkle cayenne pepper or chili powder on the soil, plant repellent plants like garlic or onions, and remove any food sources that might be attracting them.

Q2: Are chipmunks dangerous to pets?
A2: Chipmunks are generally not dangerous to pets. While they can bite if cornered or threatened, they typically avoid confrontation. However, they can carry diseases, so it’s best to discourage your pets from interacting with them.

Q3: What is the best natural chipmunk repellent?
A3: Some of the most effective natural chipmunk repellents include strong scents like castor oil mixed with peppermint oil, cayenne pepper, garlic, and predator urine. Their effectiveness can vary, and reapplying them regularly is often necessary.

Q4: Can I use poison to get rid of chipmunks?
A4: It is generally not recommended to use poison to eliminate chipmunks. Poisons can harm non-target animals, including pets, beneficial wildlife, and even humans. They are also often considered inhumane. Focus on exclusion and deterrence methods.

Q5: How do I know if I have chipmunks or another rodent?
A5: Chipmunks are easily identifiable by their striped backs. If you see small holes in the ground with excavated soil, and you observe small, quick mammals with stripes darting around, it’s likely chipmunks. If the animals are larger, lack stripes, or are causing different types of damage, you might be dealing with other rodents like voles or squirrels.

Q6: How do I ensure a trap is humane when catching chipmunks?
A6: A humane trap is one that catches the animal without causing injury. This means using a live trap that is the appropriate size, checking it frequently, and providing water if it’s going to be a long wait. Avoid snap traps or glue traps, which are considered inhumane.

By combining these methods, you can create a yard that is less inviting to chipmunks, protecting your plants and garden while promoting a balanced ecosystem. Remember that natural chipmunk control and consistent chipmunk prevention are often the most effective long-term strategies.