Knowing how to get rid of chipmunks can stop these cute critters from invading your yard. When I say chipmunks, you are in all probability considering of the comedic trio from Disney’s Alvin and the Chipmunks, or possibly Chip n’ Dale. However, in actual life, opinions of chipmunks are a bit completely different than Disney makes out.
While certainly cute and fluffy, these mammals can rapidly flip right into a pest ought to one discover its method into your yard, very like squirrels, Their burrows can injury flowerbeds in addition to foliage, leaving a multitude behind as they forage. The excellent news is that there are methods to take care of chipmunks with out hurting them.
Here, we’ll break down what you want to do step-by-step to dissuade chipmunks from visiting your yard. If you are not sure whether or not you are coping with chipmunks within the first place, we may also cowl the tell-tale indicators of a chipmunk infestation. Here’s how to get rid of chipmunks safely and humanely.
1. Remove apparent meals sources
Firstly, chipmunks have seemingly settled in your yard as a result of there’s quick access to a scrumptious meals supply. Chipmunks thrive on fruit, greens, nuts, seeds in addition to bugs, so there’s usually a variety of choices obtainable to them.
Take a go searching your yard and take into account whether or not there may be an abundance of meals. For occasion, in the event you usually depart chicken seed scattered in your garden, or leftover pet meals out within the open, you are basically ringing the dinner bell. The identical will be stated for any vegetation or timber which have grown fruit and greens, ripe for the plucking. Make such meals sources much less accessible or take away them fully.
For occasion, seal any pet meals away in hermetic containers and feed birds through a devoted and safe feeder. It’s necessary that the feeder be chipmunk-proof — chipmunks can climb timber, so simply because it is suspended does not imply it is secure. You may use this Perky-Pet Squirrel-Be-Gone Max Large Wild Bird Feeder ($39.99 , Amazon) for example. Make positive any fruit which has fallen to the bottom is collected instantly as nicely.
2. Tidy up your yard
Shelter is one other factor seemingly inviting chipmunks into your yard. If there’s a lot of areas to conceal from predators, they really feel all of the safer once they emerge from the burrows. Chipmunks have a tendency to conceal beneath piles of wooden or rock buildings in addition to shrubs — these can all be inviting. Remove what you possibly can and give your self as a lot visible clearance of the bottom as doable.
For the identical purpose, take the chance to tidy up your yard. If piles of leaves or massive particles is left mendacity round, you are solely encouraging chipmunks into this area. Plus, a messy yard can appeal to every kind of different pests for a similar purpose as nicely. mosquitoes adore standing water, whereas raccoons will take benefit of any trash.
3. Protect your vegetation
As talked about in level one, you want to take away all sources of meals. One such method to do that is by defending any vegetation and bulbs which can be attracting the chipmunks. You can do that by putting in bulb cages round any weak bulbs, an instance of this being Vole King Plant Baskets ($28.99, Amazon, You may also make a DIY model utilizing ½ inch {hardware} fabric. Remember to depart a layer on the floor too—you possibly can weigh this down with rocks if mandatory. If chipmunks are stealing fruit from the branches, you can additionally attempt constructing safety across the plant itself, such because the Boldworks Garden Cloche Plant Protectors ($149.97, Amazon,
If you need to take issues a step additional, you possibly can enhance safety in your yard as a complete. By putting in an L-shaped barrier underground across the perimeter, this may actively cease chipmunks from burrowing beneath. You can use a layer of wire mesh to obtain this. It wants to be no less than a foot deep and angled at a 90-degree bend away from the world you need to defend.
4. Make chipmunks uncomfortable
There are a number of strategies you need to use to make your yard much less interesting to chipmunks. First, you possibly can persuade them that predators are close by. A decoy predator can assist with this, similar to this GiftExpress 2 Pk 15.5″ Scarecrow Owl Decoy ($29.99, Amazon, Although keep in mind, this can scare away birds as well.
Chipmunks generally don’t like cats or dogs either, so feel free to let your furry family members mark their territory in the yard. If you don’t own a pet, you can readily buy fox or coyote urine which you can spray around yourself, an example being PredatorPee Original Coyote Urine ($25, Amazon,
Alternatively, you can try an electrical ultrasonic deterrent. These devices will emit a high frequency sound on a regular basis. Such a noise discomforts the chipmunk and then deters it from returning. For instance, you could try the NIKAND Gopher Repellent Ultrasonic Solar Powered Stakes ($19.95, Amazon, You can also find motion-activated sprinkler systems which will douse the chipmunk upon detection.
Another way to deter a chipmunk is by growing plants it would rather steer clear of, including the likes of daffodils, lavender, marigolds and onions. Each of these emits a scent which chipmunks cannot stand. Plus, they can deter more pests than one. here are 7 plants that keep mice and rats from invading your home,
Failing all of the above, there are also non-lethal repellents which you can spray around the yard. Just remember to reapply this as often as necessary, particularly if it rains.
5. Trap them humanely
If chipmunks still won’t leave your flowers alone, you can trap them without hurting them. Live traps are widely available for purchase from home department stores, each of which you will have to bait yourself and then check regularly (at least once a day), should you be successful. We recommend buying a single or two-door trap that is about 20 inches in length. For bait, you can use peanut butter, cheese or cereal; each of these will be effective.
Patience may be required for the chipmunk to grow confident enough to explore this space, so give it time. Be sure to place it in an area you’re confident the chipmunk frequents too. Once you’ve caught the chipmunk, feel free to release it a good distance from your yard — ideally at least 5 miles away in a quiet wooded area. Be sure to wear gloves whenever handling the trap.
Take care to check local laws before you trap and release a chipmunk though. In some municipalities, this can be illegal. You can always contact local pest management companies to be sure.
How to inform if in case you have chipmunks
There are several tall-tale signs that chipmunks have made a home in your yard:
- Small holes (about two inches in diameter) develop along the foundations of your home or against walkways. No dirt mounds will appear above ground, as it is for moles.
- Signs of damage to your plants and foliage. Bulbs may be uprooted. Flower beds may be destroyed as they burrow.
- You might hear a chipmunk outside—these mammals chip, chuck and trill when they detect predators.
- You might spot tiny pawprints in the soil as evidence of chipmunks.