Chipmunks seem adorable at first glance, but once they start digging up your garden or going after your plants, the charm fades fast. You probably want to enjoy your outdoor space without worrying about these little guys munching on your fruits, nuts, or flowers.
If you want chipmunks to leave, start by removing their food sources, blocking their hiding spots, and putting up barriers or repellents. Doing these things makes your yard less appealing, so chipmunks are more likely to move on.
You can take some easy steps right away, like cleaning up fallen fruit or sealing up gaps under the deck. These changes make your garden a lot less attractive to chipmunks.
Top Methods to Make Chipmunks Go Away
If you want to stop chipmunks from causing problems, focus on what draws them in. Take care of food sources, mess with their hiding places, try safe repellents, and set up barriers.
Mixing these methods usually works best.
Use Effective Chipmunk Repellents
Grab a repellent made for chipmunks to keep them away from your garden. Most of these have smells or tastes chipmunks just can’t stand—think predator urine, garlic, or hot pepper.
Spray repellent around flower beds, garden edges, and near any chipmunk holes you spot.
You’ll need to reapply after it rains or when you water, since the smell fades pretty quickly. Natural repellents are usually safer if you have kids or pets running around.
Don’t rely on repellents alone if you still have food or shelter nearby. Always pair repellents with other steps.
Remove Food Sources Like Bird Feeders and Sunflower Seeds
Chipmunks love an easy snack, so spilled birdseed and sunflower seeds are a big draw. If you want them gone, start by cleaning up these temptations.
Try taking a break from bird feeding or switch to feeders that catch seeds before they hit the ground.
If you just can’t stop feeding birds, use feeders that keep seeds contained or put trays underneath. Sweep or rake up fallen seeds often.
The less food you leave out, the less reason chipmunks have to stick around.
Modify Habitat to Make Your Property Less Attractive
Chipmunks look for places to hide and dig, like piles of leaves, wood, or thick bushes. Clear away debris and keep your lawn trimmed to make your yard less cozy for them.
Fill in any holes or tunnels with soil or gravel. Cutting back thick groundcover and pruning plants makes it a lot harder for chipmunks to nest.
Trim low branches and get rid of dense bushes close to your house or garden. This takes away their shelter and makes them feel exposed.
Install Exclusion Barriers and Small Animal Fencing
Physical barriers really help keep chipmunks out of specific areas. Use hardware cloth or mesh fencing, and bury it at least 6 inches deep to stop chipmunks from digging underneath.
Put small-gauge wire fences around garden beds or flowerbeds. Two feet high is usually enough, and make sure the holes are smaller than an inch so chipmunks can’t squeeze through.
Screens or metal flashing can block off crawl spaces, decks, or the lower parts of your house where chipmunks try to nest. Combine barriers with trapping and habitat changes for the best shot at keeping them away.
For more on humane trapping and moving chipmunks, check out this guide on the best way to remove chipmunks from your yard.
Humane Prevention and Long-Term Solutions
If you want to keep chipmunks away for good, go for gentle methods that don’t hurt them. Set up your yard so chipmunks just don’t find it inviting and move on.
You can make smart changes with a few tools, a pet or two, and the right plants.
Adopt Wildlife-Friendly Deterrents
Safe deterrents are a solid option if you want to keep chipmunks out without causing harm. Try ultrasonic repellents that give off high-pitched sounds—chipmunks hate it, but you and your pets won’t notice a thing.
Natural sprays with peppermint or eucalyptus oil work too. Just spritz them around your plants or spots chipmunks visit a lot.
You’ll need to reapply after it rains to keep the scent strong.
Mixing some cayenne pepper into your birdseed keeps chipmunks away, but birds don’t mind at all. Still, repellents work best when you use them alongside other methods.
Manage Pet Access and Consider a Catio
Cats can be pretty effective at scaring chipmunks off. If you’ve got outdoor cats, let them hang out in the garden to help keep chipmunks away.
If you’d rather not let your cat roam, think about building a catio. It’s an enclosed outdoor spot for your cat, so they get fresh air safely and chipmunks know to steer clear.
Pets can help protect your yard, but make sure you keep them away from traps or anything dangerous. Using pets along with other humane tools is a smart way to keep chipmunks at bay.
Maintain a Balanced Yard and Respect Chipmunk Habitats
Chipmunks really go for spots with easy food and shelter, like wood piles or thick brush. If you keep your yard tidy, you’ll make it less appealing.
Try storing firewood off the ground, or tuck it away in covered areas. That way, chipmunks lose a favorite hiding place.
Pick up fallen fruits, nuts, or stray birdseed as often as you can. Without a steady snack supply, chipmunks will probably wander off to find food somewhere else.
Some folks plant herbs like mint or marigolds near flower beds. I’ve heard chipmunks can’t stand the smell, so it’s a simple way to nudge them away.
A mix of regular cleaning and a few smart planting choices can make your yard less inviting to chipmunks, but still feel friendly to you.
