If you’ve got chipmunks scurrying through your garden, you might’ve heard that human hair keeps them away. But honestly? Chipmunks don’t like human hair at all.
The smell of human hair usually scares them, so it can work as a natural repellent in your yard.
Sprinkling hair clippings around your plants or along the garden’s edge is easy and harmless. Lots of gardeners do this hoping to make the area less inviting for chipmunks.
It doesn’t attract them—instead, it just makes your garden less appealing.
If you’re wondering if human hair really helps, or how to use it with other tricks, stick around. There’s more to dealing with chipmunks safely than you’d think.
Do Chipmunks Like Human Hair?
People sometimes use human hair to keep chipmunks out of gardens and yards. Maybe you’re wondering if chipmunks are actually drawn to it, or if it really does repel them.
Knowing a bit about chipmunk behavior compared to other critters can help you figure out if this method will work for you.
Scientific Evidence on Chipmunks and Human Hair
Researchers haven’t done much direct study on whether chipmunks like or dislike human hair. Chipmunks respond mostly to smells, sounds, and movement.
Since human hair holds your scent, chipmunks usually take it as a sign that a human or predator is close. That’s enough to make them steer clear of the area.
Think of it this way: the hair itself doesn’t attract chipmunks, but the scent might make them nervous. Scattering hair in your garden could make chipmunks feel uneasy.
But if there’s plenty of food or shelter, hair probably won’t keep them away for long.
Comparing Chipmunk Behavior to Squirrels, Mice, and Voles
Chipmunks act a lot like squirrels, mice, and voles, but each animal reacts to deterrents in its own way. Squirrels, for example, often avoid places with human or pet hair because they’re careful around anything that smells like a predator.
Mice and voles pay close attention to scent too, but they’ll ignore hair if there’s easy food nearby. Voles spend more time underground, so hair on the surface doesn’t bother them much.
Human hair might work better for chipmunks and squirrels since they’re more likely to notice and react to those smells than voles or mice are.
Debunking Common Myths About Hair as a Deterrent
Some people claim hair will completely stop chipmunks from visiting your yard. That’s just not true.
Hair might scare them for a while, but chipmunks get used to familiar smells, especially if there’s food around.
Another myth is that only human hair works. Actually, pet hair—like from dogs or cats—can have a similar effect for a little while.
But hair alone won’t solve a chipmunk problem. You’ll need to combine it with other methods—like pepper spray or traps—to really keep chipmunks out.
If you want more tips on using hair and other ways to control chipmunks, check out this guide on getting rid of chipmunks.
Best Ways to Deter Chipmunks From Your Garden
Keeping chipmunks out of your garden takes a bit more than just one trick. You’ll want to mix and match methods that work together to protect your plants.
Some ideas, like using human hair, just don’t cut it for chipmunks.
Why Human Hair Fails as a Chipmunk Repellent
Many people try human hair because they think the smell will scare chipmunks away. But chipmunks usually don’t care much about human hair.
The scent fades fast, and chipmunks get used to it pretty quickly. Tossing hair around your garden probably won’t stop them from digging or munching.
Hair doesn’t make a strong barrier, and the smell isn’t enough to keep chipmunks out. It might help a bit with squirrels or deer, but chipmunks need something stronger.
Effective Alternatives: Fences, Barriers, and Predator Scents
If you want to keep chipmunks out, start with physical barriers. A wire mesh fence, buried about 8 inches deep, really helps because chipmunks love to dig.
Make sure the fence is tall enough so they can’t just hop over.
You can also try predator scents like fox urine along your garden’s edges. The smell convinces chipmunks a predator is nearby, so they stay away.
Keep in mind, these scents can bother you too, so use them carefully and refresh them often.
Setting up an owl or hawk decoy adds another layer of protection. These fake predators make chipmunks nervous and more cautious.
Combining fences, predator scents, and decoys gives you a much better shot at keeping chipmunks out.
Additional Tips for Minimizing Wildlife Damage
Clear out brush piles, wood, and rock stacks. Chipmunks love to hide in those spots.
Try to keep your yard tidy—it just feels less inviting to them that way.
Pick up fallen berries, seeds, and nuts whenever you can. Easy food on the ground? That’s basically an open invitation for chipmunks.
Store birdseed and pet food in sealed containers. You really don’t want to hand out free snacks.
When chipmunks can’t find places to hide or easy meals, they usually move on.
These tips don’t just help with chipmunks. You’ll probably notice fewer visits from deer and squirrels, too.
If you want more info about managing chipmunks and other garden pests, take a look at this guide on effective pest control.
