Ways to Get Rid of Chipmunks Humanely

While it’s true that some persons delight in attracting chipmunks to their yards because of how cute and cuddly they are others see them as rodents and a nuisance, therefore, they search out ways of making their yard or garden area chipmunk-proof. Sometimes these litter critters can make their way into homes. In this guide we will be discussing how to get rid of chipmunks humanely or without bringing harm to them. The presence of chipmunks in your yard or garden can cause damage for example.

• Chipmunks are active little creatures moving very swiftly sneaking into backyards, home gardens, and farm areas venturing into the ornamental plant beds as well as flower beds where they dig for bulbs, eating tender leaves, shoots, roots, nuts, and fruits. Chipmunks also burrow in lawns looking for roots leaving holes that can make a lawn look unattractive and sickly.
• Garden vegetables are a favorite and if chipmunks make their way into your vegetable garden will have a feast.
• If you hear a high-pitched chirping sound inside your home may be an indication that you may have a chipmunk problem. If you do find a chipmunk in your home make it easy for them to get out because they are more willing to get out than to stay there.
• If you see tiny footprints in your yard (chipmunks have 5 toes on their front paws and 4 toes on their back paws) be on the watch for these types of footprints alongside your house, garden, or garden shed
• If you are having issues with your house foundation along with a cracked sidewalk may be an indication that you have a chipmunk problem and should be taken care of right away.
• A sign that you have chipmunks are droppings or their feces which are long and small with pointed ends compared to a mouse dropping that’s more rounded.
• Chipmunks may be visibly seen hanging out under bird feeders.

Chipmunk Habitat

Chipmunk habitats are areas that provide them with a lot of ground cover which includes rocks, trees, bushlands or woodlands, stumps, and logs. Chipmunks also take refuge near hedges, houses, fence lines, and urban parks. Chipmunks are known to dig two types of burrows, these burrows are dug directly underneath or next to natural or manmade covers. Shallow burrows are dug during the daytime, these shallow burrows are to protect them while foraging.  The other burrow which is more complex and deeper serves for raising their young, food storage, and resting during the long winter months.

Call in the Professionals

Note: If you have a chipmunk issue consider calling first a wildlife conservation organization or a pest control company to assist with the capture and the release of chipmunks back into the wild.  Remember caution should be taken when attempting to handle chipmunks because they are wild animals.

19 Best Way to Prevent Chipmunks

1. Because chipmunks love a lot of ground cover trimming back your garden plants and the removal of rock piles and woodpiles will discourage their presence.

2. Placing 1/4 inch mesh hardware cloth around flowers and garden plants will keep them at bay.

3. Surrounding your yard or property with a plant-free gravel border will offer help.

4. Installing bulbs that chipmunks and other wildlife are not attracted to will keep them away.

5. Sprinkling chili powder, cayenne, or other spices that are hot around your garden plants will deter them.

6. Installing motion detectors such as sprinklers will give them a frightful wet experience.

8. Providing food sources away from where they are causing damage is a great way to distract them.

9. The use of decoy owls, coyotes, hawks, and foxes will give them a scare but keep in mind that chipmunks are pretty smart and will soon catch on so the goal is not to leave your decoys in the same position every day but to move them around.

10. Ensure that your bird feeders are clean when not in use because bird feeders attract chipmunks like a magnet also choose bird feeds to which chipmunks are not attracted to

11. You can purchase ultrasonic devices that produce sounds that are undetectable to the human ear. These sounds will keep chipmunks at bay.

12. The use of granular repellents is non-lethal but is distasteful to chipmunks giving off an odor that they find offensive.

13. Live traps for chipmunks can be set, once chipmunks are caught you can release them far away from your home.

14. Repellent sprays can be applied around your yard and garden areas to keep chipmunks at bay. Traps can be placed in areas where they are seen or active including pathways.

15. Immediately clean up any fallen fruits, vegetables, berries seeds, and nuts from your garden.

16. Around your home caulk small gaps and cracks, large gaps should be filled with expanding foam or steel wool to keep chipmunks out.

17 Foods that are stored outside for example pet food, livestock feed, and bird seed should be kept in air-tight, rodent-proof containers.

18. Create an underground barrier around garden beds by using L-shaped wire mesh screen.

19. To discourage the presence of chipmunks dig a deep and wide trench around garden beds and your home’s foundation followed by filling it with a few inches of gravel. To prevent chipmunks from digging and tunneling into these areas.

Chipmunk fun facts

• A group of chipmunks is called a scurry
• Chipmunks are excellent tree climbers and swimmers
• The main entrance of a chipmunk burrow can extend up to 20 feet in length
• At birth, a baby chipmunk is the size of a bumblebee
• They can give birth to 2-8 pups at a time
• There are 25 species of chipmunks
• In the wild, a chipmunk can live up to 2-3 years
• Chipmunks have pouches in their cheeks in which they store food when foraging
• Chipmunks are found in North America, except the Siberian chipmunk which is found in Asia
• A tiny chipmunk can gather up to 165 acorns a day
• They have 5 toes on their front paws and 4 toes on their back paws
• Chipmunks need about 15 hours of sleep per day
• Chipmunks are known to be natural loners until the mating season then the male and female go their separate way
• They breathe very fast, taking almost 75 breaths a minute

Conclusion

Chipmunks are accepted and at the same time rejected by some, just like any other wildlife chipmunks seek out food, shelter, and water even though they may cause some damage. It is said that on average the damage can range from $200 or less but still, this is money that should not have to be spent.

But if you enjoy their presence and love having them around then providing the right environment will help you to encourage them to your yard. With that said you now know how to make your yard and garden area chipmunk-proff.