8 Tips for How to Get Rid of Chipmunks in Your Yard

Chipmunks are adorable, but they're a nuisance. Read this guide on how to get rid of chipmunks to learn the strategies to prevent chipmunks and make them leave.
Written by Brady Klopfer
Reviewed by Carrie Adkins
You can keep chipmunks out of your yard and
gorgeous garden
by setting up fences and other barriers, using repellants, or setting humane traps.
Chipmunks are one of the cutest animals you’ll encounter near your home, but that doesn’t mean you actually want them there.
As cute as these little animals are, they can cause damage to a yard or garden by eating plants and birdseed. It only takes a few families of chipmunks to turn your dream garden into something that’s not so inspiring or exciting.
If you have chipmunk issues in your garden, yard, or lawn, then you’re probably wanting to get rid of them as quickly as possible. Don’t worry, there are a lot of options for getting rid of chipmunks. Read this guide by
Jerry
to find out how to handle chipmunks in your yard and garden.
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How to tell if you have chipmunks in your yard

Chipmunks are often confused with squirrels, so it’s important to properly identify the animal that you’re trying to contain.
Chipmunks are a lot smaller than squirrels, and have very tiny faces. They're also much cuter. If you’re not sure what kind of animal you have, do some research so you can be completely positive what kind of animal you’re trying to keep at bay.

How to prevent chipmunks

You can get rid of chipmunks once you have them, but the best way to get rid of them is to never let them in in the first place. You can take a few steps to prevent chipmunks from getting in your garden or digging holes.
Put up a fence around your garden or yard, and make sure there aren’t any trees or plants that would allow a chipmunk to get over the fence.
If you’re worried about chipmunks coming into a certain area, like a tool shed or even your house, seal any holes that they might be able to sneak in.

How to get rid of chipmunks: The bucket method

One of the most human ways to get rid of chipmunks is the bucket method. To do this, take a bucket and fill it with some water. Then, sprinkle some sunflower seeds on top of the water. You can place the bucket near a ledge or a step so that the chipmunk has a way to get in, or you can even place a ramp leading up to the bucket.
The chipmunk will want to eat the sunflower seeds, so it'll get in the bucket, but because of the water, it can't get back out. Make sure you put enough water in that it can't escape, but not enough that it will drown. Once the chipmunk(s) are captured, take the bucket and drop them off in a wooded area away from your house.

Get rid of chipmunks with repellants

There are plenty of natural repellents that can be used to keep chipmunks away. These repellents are usually completely humane and environmentally friendly.
The chipmunks don’t like them, so they go away, but they don’t cause any damage to the animal, to any other animals, or to any of your plants. You can buy them in spray or pellet form online or at a local store and easily disperse them through your garden or lawn.

Plant onions or garlic to get rid of chipmunks in your garden

Another option is to plant natural repellents that chipmunks don’t like. Chipmunks aren’t fans of alliums, so plant onions or garlic to help keep them uninterested by what’s going on in your garden.

Remove any hiding areas

Chipmunks are prey animals, so they don’t feel safe out in the open. They won’t go anywhere where they can’t easily duck into safety.
As such, you can help keep chipmunks away by eliminating these types of areas. Tidy up your yard or garden by getting rid of piles of garbage, stacks of firewood, tall grass, and large bushes.
Make your yard or garden clean and lacking in hiding spots, and the chipmunks won’t feel safe.

Cats can get rid of chipmunks

There are a lot of reasons why people don’t feel comfortable having outdoor cats, so this might not be an option for you. But if having outdoor cats is the right choice for you, they can really help with chipmunks.
Outdoor cats will hunt chipmunks, and it won’t take very long before the chipmunks realize they probably just shouldn’t come around. That’s not a battle they want to pick. Let your cat outside or adopt an outdoor cat, and they’ll act as guardian of your lawn and garden.

Set traps

If you want to take a more hands-on approach, you can purchase traps.
This is a bit of an arduous process, and you have to make sure that you’re releasing the chipmunks to an area where it’s legal to do so.
Traps are humane and can be set up by yourself, and you can slowly start to get rid of the chipmunk population around your home.

Call a professional to help get rid of chipmunks

If your chipmunk situation gets fully out of hand, you can always call a professional to help you manage the situation. This is the last resort, but it’s always good to know that it’s an option.
Chipmunks are adorable, but they can also be a nuisance. Use a few of these tricks, and you can keep them out of your garden, lawn, and home.

FAQS

What is a home remedy to get rid of chipmunks?

You can get rid of chipmunks with some of the home remedies listed above, such as getting an outdoor cat, using humane traps, removing hiding areas, and planting onions and garlic.

Can an exterminator get rid of chipmunks?

Yes, exterminators can get rid of chipmunks if you need professional help. Just make sure the company you're calling offers chipmunk removal services.
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