So, chipmunks have basically taken over your yard, and you want them gone—fast, but without hurting anything. Honestly, the quickest way to get rid of chipmunks is to set up humane live traps baited with seeds they already love, like sunflower seeds, and then relocate them far from your place. This way, you can handle the issue without harming the chipmunks or any other critters hanging around.
Chipmunks usually show up for bird feeders and leftover seeds. If you cut off their food while you’re trapping them, you’ll have a better shot at controlling their numbers.
You’ll also avoid the mess and risks that come with poisons or electronic traps. Those can hurt pets, birds, or just leave you with a foul smell if something dies under your porch.
Set the traps along their usual paths. You’ll catch them faster and can move them somewhere safe.
This method protects your plants and flowerbeds, and your yard gets back to normal.
Fast and Effective Ways to Get Rid of Chipmunks
If you want chipmunks out quickly, focus on cutting off their food and shelter. Block their entrances, set humane traps, and use natural repellents.
Taking these steps will shrink their numbers fast and help keep them from returning.
Remove Food Sources and Shelter
Chipmunks mostly want birdseed, nuts, and fruit. Stop feeding birds for a while or sweep up any seeds under feeders.
Keep pet food and birdseed in sealed containers. That way, chipmunks can’t get to it.
Get rid of piles of leaves, brush, and wood near your house. These spots are chipmunk favorites for hiding and nesting.
You’ll make your yard a lot less attractive to them.
Rake up fallen fruit or nuts from trees as soon as you can. With less food and fewer hiding spots, chipmunks usually move on.
Seal Entry Points Around Home and Garden
Chipmunks can squeeze through tiny spaces and dig under things. Check your foundation, fence bases, and garden beds for holes or gaps.
Seal up any openings you find with wire mesh or steel wool.
Don’t forget to cover vents, cracks near pipes, and other sneaky entry points.
Fill in old chipmunk holes with soil and pack it down well. This makes it tougher for them to dig in the same spot again.
Keeping things sealed off keeps chipmunks from burrowing too close or sneaking into your house.
Use Live Traps for Humane Removal
Live traps work safely and effectively for chipmunks. Put them near bird feeders or along the paths where you’ve seen chipmunks running.
Bait the traps with the seeds they already eat. Skip the peanut butter if you want better results—seeds just seem more natural to them.
Wear gloves when you handle the traps. Once you catch a chipmunk, take it far away and let it go in a wooded area where it won’t find its way back.
Live traps let you get rid of chipmunks without hurting them, and you avoid the problems poisons and snap traps can cause.
Apply Repellents and Deterrents
Try using natural deterrents like predator urine. The smell makes chipmunks think something dangerous is nearby.
You can also sprinkle cayenne pepper, garlic, or peppermint oil around your yard. Chipmunks really hate those scents, so it might keep them from digging or feeding.
Motion-activated sprinklers or noise devices can startle chipmunks and teach them to stay away.
Mixing repellents with food and shelter removal gives you a much better shot at getting rid of chipmunks quickly.
If you want more details on traps and bait, check out this guide on the best way to remove chipmunks from your yard.
Additional Strategies and Considerations
Sometimes, you need to try more than one method to really deal with chipmunks. Certain plants can help keep them away, and it’s good to know the difference between chipmunks and squirrels so you don’t waste time.
You’ll also want to make sure your pest control is safe for pets.
Choose Repellent Plants Like Mint and Marigolds
Planting mint and marigolds in your garden can help keep chipmunks out. Mint has a strong scent that chipmunks dislike, so it’s a natural repellent.
Marigolds work too, since a lot of small animals avoid their smell.
You can plant these as borders or mix them in with your other garden plants. They’ll add some color and a nice fragrance, too.
If you use mint, keep it in pots or contained beds because it spreads like crazy. Marigolds bloom mostly when it’s warm, so you might need other tricks during colder months.
Differences Between Chipmunks and Squirrels
Chipmunks and squirrels look a lot alike, but they don’t act the same. Chipmunks are smaller, about 8 to 10 inches, and stick close to the ground.
They dig tunnels and stash food in burrows.
Squirrels are bigger and spend more time in trees. They do different damage, usually chewing on branches or making nests up high.
Knowing which one you’re dealing with helps you pick the right traps and repellents.
For example, chipmunks go for seeds on the ground, while squirrels might raid bird feeders. Watch how they act before you decide what to do next.
Pet Safety Around Pest Control Methods
When you use repellents or traps, keep an eye on your pets—dogs, cats, or even birds. A lot of pest sprays out there can really irritate or even poison small animals if they touch the chemicals or get into the bait.
Choose pet-safe repellents, and put traps somewhere your pets can’t get to them. Got outdoor pets or birds? It’s probably best to ask your vet before you try any new products in your yard.
If you’re thinking about live traps, skip the poisons or anything lethal. Not sure what’s actually safe? You might want to call a professional who knows how to keep your pets protected while dealing with pests.
