Removing Chipmunks In Your Yard
Another way to handle your chipmunk problem is by using a popular spice from your pantry. Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin, a hot and spicy ingredient that chipmunks hate to smell and taste. Its also the perfect way to keep squirrels out of plants and gardens.
- 2 tbsp ground cayenne pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
To make this recipe, bring the water to a boil, then stir in the cayenne pepper. Add the spicy mixture to a spray bottle and shake well. Apply the solution to areas where chipmunks frequent, spraying once every two weeks to keep them away for good.
Tips On How To Get Rid Of Chipmunks
The sections below will give you multiple tips to get rid of chipmunks in your yard or garden. The tips are divided into 3 sections:
Follow these tips and your yard will be free of chipmunks in a few days.
Why Are Chipmunks A Problem
Theyre more a nuisance than a problem. The biggest issue homeowners have with North American chipmunks is their propensity to engineer a system of tunnels under walkways, stairs, patios and foundations.
Another common complaint: Chipmunks dig through flower beds and uproot vegetable patches when foraging for food. Like squirrels, they can also steal bird seed from feeders.
Recommended Reading: How Much To Astroturf My Lawn
When Is It Time To Call A Professional
When you try all the DIY methods of getting rid of chipmunks and notice the little furry critters are resilient, its time to call a professional before they turn your yard into a jungle. A professional will use a solid inspection and treatment method with proven effectiveness. They will easily find the chipmunk burrows in your home and see if they pose a threat to your property. Further, the professional will create a treatment plan that suits your needs, putting into account whether you have pets or not, and if the chipmunks have already found their way into your house.
You may argue that a professional exterminator is costlier than the DIY efforts discussed above, but their methods are proven to be effective, thus involve less trial and error. Moreover, most pest control companies will offer a satisfaction guarantee which they will honor until the chipmunks are completely gone from your home.
How To Get Rid Of Chipmunks Without Harming Them
The Spruce / Emilie Dunphy
Chipmunks are good climbers but usually travel and feed on the ground, and they live in underground burrows that they dig. Some people don’t like chipmunks in their yards because these rodents can damage garden plants. They dig up bulbs and eat fruits, seeds, and nuts, often destroying the plants in the process. They also raid bird feeders, eating and dumping seed on the ground.
Less commonly, chipmunk burrows can undermine the earth below retaining walls, decks, patios, and other outdoor structures, and even under house foundations. Also, even though they live in their burrows, chipmunks will enter homes and other buildings in search of food.
Despite the trouble they can cause, chipmunks are cute little creatures that naturally live in our environments. If you don’t enjoy their company, here are four expert-approved ways to get rid of chipmunks without harming or killing them.
Also Check: How To Take Out Grass From Lawn
Ways To Kill Chipmunks
What kills chipmunks, and how do I know that theyre a problem? When it comes to killing chipmunks, you must know the signs to look out for. You likely have a chipmunk problem if you notice small holes in your lawn, often around the foundation of your home.
They often leave corn or sunflower seeds behind, causing the plants to sprout up in your flower beds.
You may find piles of seeds and grains hidden around your house, dug up flower bulbs, and some critters may make their way into your veggie garden. Once youve identified the problem, youre ready to find a long-term solution.
Of course, there are also many natural ways to get rid of chipmunks without killing them. Use the method or methods that you are most comfortable with.
How To Repel Chipmunks
Unlike with some other pest infestations, attempting to repel chipmunks is a good first and non-lethal step. Repellents tend to fall into one of several categories.
Natural repellents are non-synthetic items that chipmunks find distasteful. Human hairwhich you can acquire by asking your barber for a bag of trimmingssprinkled around the perimeter of a garden reportedly does the trick. Fox or other predator urine can work, though it also smells repellent to human noses.
Some natural repellents are meant to be sprayed directly onto the plants chipmunks might eat a mixture of water and cayenne pepper or chili powder is one of these. Keep in mind you may have to reapply natural repellents frequently.
Synthetic repellents are specially-formulated chemicals used to drive chipmunks away by scent or taste without being harmful to other wildlife. Most squirrel repellents will also repel chipmunks, and this includes things like anti-rodent spray, granular repellents to put in the soil, and taste-aversion repellents containing Bittrex and thiram. These tend to last a little longer than natural repellents, but you will still need to reapply them regularly.
Read Also: How Lawn Sprinkler Systems Work
What Harm Can Chipmunk Do
Chipmunks are not aggressively dangerous, but they can cause harm by damaging property and spreading diseases. Most homeowners get concerned about chipmunks ability to engineer a system of tunnels under patios, foundations, walkways, and stairs. Their burrowing can weaken supports and damage these areas.
They also cause massive destructions in flower and vegetable gardens when foraging for food. They will gnaw at, and devour your fruits, plants and vegetables. They may also snack on your birds or pets food if you leave the feeders outside.
Besides destruction, chipmunks can bite and transmit diseases to humans if they are hosts to infected parasites like fleas and ticks. A chipmunk will scratch and bite if it feels cornered or threatened.
Some of the illnesses it may transmit include:
- Rabies: This a potentially fatal virus as it attacks the nervous system. You may not see the symptoms for weeks.
- Plague: This is a bacterial infection that attacks the immune system. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, plague spreads from the bite of an infected flea or when you get in direct contact with an infected animal. It causes flu-like symptoms or pneumonia.
- Colorado tick fever: This also has flu-like symptoms but is a bit mild in humans
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever: This has flu-like symptoms and a skin rash that can spread on the entire body.
How To Get Rid Of Chipmunks With Ammonia
Chipmunks are naturally skittish. I mean, who wouldnt be when youre at the bottom of the food chain?
This fear works to your advantage when trying to deter chipmunks from the foundation of your home by using ammonia. Ammonia simulates urine smell for most animals, which signals predator to the tiny chipmunk trying to find a safe space to rest his head.
As a bonus, ammonia is also what keeps snakes away from your home. Snakes dont like the odor either and tend to shy away from areas scented with ammonia.
Recommended Reading: What Is The Wide Blade Grass In My Lawn
Gas Chipmunks Out Of Hiding
Do you have a problem with chipmunks burrowing in your garden and lawn? An effective solution to quickly evict them from the burrow and potentially kill them is the Giant Destroyer gas cartridges from Atlas.
These tubes are lit and applied to the entrance of a burrow which is then covered. Toxic smoke fills the tunnels and drives away the chipmunks or kills them if they cant get out through another opening in time.
Gas canisters wont necessarily kill an entire family of chipmunks but it will definitely evict them so you can fill in the holes and set up exclusion methods to keep them from returning.
Toxic Fumes in Gas Cartridges
If you decide to use Atlas Giant Destroyer cartridges, just take care. Use the following guidelines to stay safe and protect yourself from the toxic fumes.
- Practice putting the cartridge into the hole a few times before you actually light the fuse and get ready to use it. Make sure the opening is large enough to quickly place the tube.
- Hold the cartridge with BBQ tongs and keep it as far away from you as possible. This allows you to place the cartridge into the chipmunk hole from a greater distance.
- Have something on hand to cover the hole immediately after you place the cartridge. You will have just a few seconds to do this. You can use a large bucket filled with rocks or dirt to cover the hole.
- Hold your breath once the fuse is lit and until the hole is covered.
- Wait several hours before lifting the cover of the hole.
More Tips For How To Get Rid Of Chipmunks
All these tips work wonderfully when you know for sure you have a chipmunk problem. However, identifying whether these garden issues stem from chipmunks or another creature increases your success rate. These last few tips help you pinpoint the signs and advise on when is the best time to call in a professional.
Read Also: How To Remove Ants From Lawn
Try Juicy Fruit To Get Rid Of Chipmunks
Chipmunks are cute, but they sometimes can be a pain as well. Our exterminator has told us that one way to get rid of them is to put Juicy Fruit gum pieces in their burrows. Do not chew the gum. In fact, do not let it touch human hands. Take the gum out of the wrapper, a few pieces will do, with gloves on. Place the pieces near the burrows, and the chipmunks will be disgusted at the scent. Remember, they should not sense that a human has put the gum there.Jackie
How To Identify Chipmunks
Chipmunks are members of the squirrel family, which includes squirrels, woodchucks, marmots, prairie dogs, and more. Chipmunks are frequently mistaken for squirrels, but there are some primary differences between squirrels and chipmunks.
Unlike squirrels who live in the holes left in trees by woodpeckers or other pests, chipmunks prefer to live in burrows on the ground, where they create complicated tunnel systems with food storage areas. Areas with stumps and logs are also preferable to chipmunks.
Chipmunks have a tan body with iconic black or dark brown stripes that run down their back and side. Their underbellies are lighter in color, and they typically have light brown feet. In contrast, squirrels are grayish with a prominent, fluffy tail. Chipmunk tails are much flatter and will even lay on the ground when they are sitting. In terms of size, chipmunks are eight to ten inches, which is much smaller than squirrels, who tend to be 18 to 20 inches long.
Not only do chipmunks have a much smaller build, different habitat, and coloring than squirrels, but they are omnivores, whereas squirrels primarily eat fruits and nuts. Chipmunks will eat birds eggs, snails, salamanders, and even small snakes. During the winter, they also go into torpor, a state of sleep that alternates with groggy states where they eat, which is why they create food storage areas in their burrows.
Recommended Reading: How To Sell Lawn Care Business
Are You Allowed To Kill Chipmunks
According to the National Wildlife Control Training Program, chipmunks may be protected by regulation in some states. Though most states allow the capturing and killing of chipmunks when they are causing damage, you better check with your states wildlife agency for restrictions or permits.
Also, even if it is possible to kill them, there are other ways to deal with the rodents that dont necessarily lead to their death.
How to Get Rid of Chipmunks Humanely
You dont have to exterminate chipmunks cruelly. Here are some humane chipmunk damage prevention and control methods
Choose Chipmunk Hole Filler
After relocating chipmunks from your yard, decide what type of hole filler material you want to use for your chipmunk problem. You can choose between cat litter, gravel or sand and its based primarily based on personal preference.
I recommend sand because is it readily available, fills the hole completely, and it is easy to pour into the chipmunk hole.
Don’t Miss: How Many Lawn Treatments Per Year
How Do I Identify Signs Of An Infestation
Because chipmunks tend to shy away from humans, you may not ever see one in your yard, even if you do have a few wreaking havoc on your property. Without seeing these creatures, evidence of their presence remains as long as you know what signs to look for.
The most common signals of chipmunks are holes peppered throughout your lawn.Other indications of these animals overtaking your property include slight structural damage to patios or problems around the homes foundation.
You may also notice piles of shelled seeds at the base of bird feeders or dug up plants chipmunks have harvested for food. Even tiny little footprints might remain in their wake, with four fingers on the front paws and five on the back.
How To Get Rid Of Chipmunks Using Traps
You can also attempt to trap pesky chipmunks. The line of smaller Havahart® Easy Set® Animal Traps allows you to catch these critters easily and humanely. Simply bait the trap with chipmunk favorites like prune pits, popcorn or grains, and place it in the area where chipmunk activity is present. The traps smooth internal edges prevent the frightened trapped animal from injuring itself. The one-hand release feature also makes it easy to release the animal back into the wild after capture.
Knowing how to get rid of chipmunks effectively can help you protect your home and garden from these small but destructive pests.
Sign up today for exclusive deals, tips, and more »
ID Your Problem and let us help you find a solution! »
More Like This
Recommended Reading: When To Apply Spring Lawn Fertilizer
How To Keep Chipmunks Out Of Your Yard
Prevention is always preferable, so how can you keep chipmunks out of your yard?
Keep Pet And Bird Food Away
One big draw for chipmunks is having a food source readily available for them. Because they consume a wide variety of items in their diet, nothing is safe when it comes to leaving out bowls and feeders. If you leave your pet food outdoors, this attracts chipmunks looking for a dose of protein, not to mention a bounty of other unwanted pests.
Use a sealable food storage container when the food is not being eaten and have a scheduled time to feed pets outdoors instead of giving them free rein throughout the day. After a certain amount of time, remove the bowl to limit the emergence of other animals looking for an easy meal.
Another potential source of nutrients for chipmunks comes from bird feeders. Choosing one that is squirrel-proof generally does the trick, since they use wires and poles that are difficult for little paws to walk along. When finding the perfect location for your feeder, place it at least seven feet away from any areas where chipmunks might be able to climb down or jump onto the container.
Recommended Reading: How To Raise Lawn Level
Animal Enemies Of Your Garden12 Photos
From squirrels to deer to moles, be aware of the damage these small and large animals can do to your garden and how to fight back.
Chipmunks can be persistent and creative to get what they want, but with some trial and error, you can make sure they stop destroying your garden.
Here are four humane ideas for keeping them away:
Can You Put Poison In Holes To Kill Chipmunk
Poison pellets or baits are effective in eliminating chipmunks forever.
But these do have their own pros and cons.
First of all, while using the fatal baits and poisons you should take precautions while handling them.
These can be found by your pets or kids and have severely harm them.
Secondly, when the poison is eaten by chipmunks, you should be prepared to dispose of the chipmunk bodies with proper care.
If you leave the body in or around your property, the carcass may start to rot and can attract many more damaging vermin like raccoons, rats, eagles, flies, and many others.
Also Check: How To Change Oil In Craftsman Lawn Mower
Read Also: How Often To Treat Lawn
