If chipmunks have started hanging out around your house, you’ll want to act fast before they cause any real trouble. Honestly, the best way to keep chipmunks out is to seal up every possible entry point and get rid of anything that might lure them close. Just a few simple steps can stop chipmunks from finding cozy places to nest or dig.
Take a look at any trees or branches that touch your house. Chipmunks love using those as little bridges, so trimming them back makes it a lot harder for them to sneak inside.
Add barriers like hardware cloth around your foundation. This keeps them from burrowing right next to your home.
When you make your house less appealing and block off their routes, you’ll keep chipmunks outside where they belong. This guide will walk you through all the steps you need to keep chipmunks out.
If you want more tips on how to prevent damage and deal with chipmunks in crawl spaces, check out this advice on how to get rid of chipmunks in your home and crawl space.
Essential Steps to Chipmunk Proof Your Home
Start by blocking off spots where chipmunks can get in and making your yard less appealing. You’ll need to check for gaps, get rid of food sources, and set up barriers.
Seal Entry Points and Structural Gaps
Take a close look at your home’s foundation and exterior. Search for cracks, holes, or gaps—chipmunks can squeeze through spaces as small as 1.5 inches.
Pay special attention to spots around pipes, vents, and where your siding meets the ground. Grab some concrete caulk for small cracks, expandable foam for sealing around pipes, and plug holes with steel wool or mesh.
These materials keep chipmunks from sneaking or burrowing inside your walls. Make this a regular habit, especially in early spring and fall when chipmunks seem to get more active.
If you skip this, you might find one digging nearby later, which nobody wants.
Remove Food Sources and Attractants
Chipmunks stick around where food is easy to find. Keep your yard picked up—clear away fallen fruits, nuts, and seeds as often as you can.
If you’ve got bird feeders, try switching to squirrel-proof models that make it tough for chipmunks to get at the seeds. Store pet food inside, and harvest fruits and veggies from your garden before chipmunks can get to them.
Move compost piles away from your foundation, or keep them covered. Chipmunks love digging through organic waste.
When you cut off their food, chipmunks are way less likely to settle in your yard.
Use Hardware Cloth and Barriers
Set up physical barriers like hardware cloth around crawl spaces, decks, and garden beds. This sturdy wire mesh is tough for chipmunks to chew through or move.
Cover foundation vents, pipe entries, and dryer vents with galvanized, rust-resistant mesh. This stops chipmunks from slipping into hidden spots.
Lay a gravel trench at least 12 inches deep and 6 inches wide around the base of your house. That’ll discourage burrowing.
These barriers work quietly in the background, keeping chipmunks out without harming them or other wildlife.
Effective Yard and Garden Defenses Against Chipmunks
If you want to protect your yard and garden, focus on blocking chipmunks from food and shelter. The right feeders, deterrents, and a few landscaping tweaks can make a big difference.
Install Chipmunk-Resistant Feeders and Baffles
Pick bird feeders that chipmunks can’t get into, or add baffles to the ones you already have. Metal or heavy plastic feeders with small openings keep chipmunks from reaching the seeds.
Put baffles below and above feeders. Make sure these are smooth and at least 18 inches wide, so chipmunks can’t climb or jump past them.
Sweep up spilled seed regularly. Seed piles are a magnet for chipmunks, so keeping the ground clean helps a lot.
Deploy Natural and Physical Deterrents
Try natural repellents like peppermint oil sprays around your garden beds. Chipmunks really don’t like that smell.
Scatter some human or dog hair near your plants. The scent can signal danger and keep chipmunks away—without hurting them.
Motion-activated sprinklers work well too. They spray water when chipmunks get close, which scares them off and waters your plants at the same time.
You can also put up hardware cloth fences around spots that need extra protection. Bury the mesh at least 12 inches down to stop chipmunks from digging underneath.
Modify Landscaping to Minimize Shelter
Chipmunks love hiding out in dense brush or behind piles of wood. Try trimming back your shrubs and clear out any rock piles near your garden beds.
Don’t plant thick, low ground covers right up against your house or veggie patch. Those spots make perfect hiding places for chipmunks.
If you’ve got cats, why not build a little “catio” or a safe outdoor hangout for them? Cats usually keep chipmunks on their toes and away from your home.
When you cut down on shelter and easy snacks, chipmunks just don’t hang around as much.
