How to Keep Chipmunks Out of Garden?

To keep chipmunks out of your garden, create physical barriers such as fences or use natural repellents like garlic or pepper spray. 

Additionally, remove any potential food sources and maintain a tidy garden to discourage chipmunks from nesting or foraging in the area. 

Alongside that, another effective way is filling the scattered hole with gravel and pebbles. 

Covering the beds with hardcloth is good but costly and if you can effectively use bird-protected nets, it will help you to get rid of both birds and chipmunks.

 From a singular point of view-

Chipmunks can cause significant damage to gardens by digging up plants, flowers, and bulbs, as well as stealing seeds and fruits. 

This can be frustrating for gardeners who put time and effort into creating a beautiful and productive space. 

Fortunately, there are several effective strategies to keep chipmunks out of your garden.

This article will provide you with professional and practical tips to create physical barriers, use natural repellents, and eliminate food sources to deter these small rodents and protect your garden.

What Are Chipmunks? (Understanding Its Problem)

Chipmunks are small, striped rodents that are part of the squirrel family. 

Rodents:

(Rodents belong to the mammal order Rodentia, distinguished by the presence of a single pair of ever-growing incisors in both the upper and lower jaws. Rodents make up approximately 40% of all mammal species. (Source: Wikipedia)) 

They are known for their burrowing habits and love of nuts. 

Chipmunks are typically 5-6 inches long, with a tail 3-4 inches long. They have 2 tan and 5 blackish stripes. 

Certainly, here are the in-brief details of Chipmunks.

Generally, chipmunks can cause significant damage to your garden due to their destructive nature. 

They are known to exhibit common behaviors that can wreak havoc on plants and landscaping. 

Chipmunks are notorious for digging holes in the soil, disrupting root systems, and uprooting young plants.

They also have a penchant for eating bulbs, seeds, and fruits, resulting in severe losses for gardeners. 

These critters are skilled climbers, allowing them to access elevated bird feeders and birdhouses, further increasing their damage potential. 

To keep chipmunks out of your garden, it’s important to implement effective deterrents such as installing physical barriers like fences or repellents that emit ultrasonic sounds.

How to Keep Chipmunks Out of Garden Naturally?

You can not totally get rid of chipmunks’ problems if your garden is situated near the natural habitat of chipmunks. 

But don’t worry about that, there are several natural, physical, or mechanical options to protect them from attack in the garden.

Generally, chipmunks dislike strong scents, including 

Cayenne pepper, 

• Vinegar, 
• Ammonia, 
• Citrus, 
• Coffee, 
• Garlic, 
• Peppermint, 
• Cinnamon, 
• Eucalyptus.

So, in a natural way,  you can cope with the problem of spreading the scent toward the garden area. Especially if you grew succulent plants.

They mostly love to destroy the plants like-

So, if you are growing these above vegetables you should extra focus on the garden for chipmunk attacks.

However, creating an unattractive environment for chipmunks is key. 

One tactic is implementing scare tactics to keep chipmunks at bay. 

Placing owl decoys or wind chimes can frighten them away. 

It’s important to remember to maintain a variety of phrases throughout your writing to engage readers and avoid repetitive terms.

Read: How to Keep Weeds Out of Wildflower Garden?

How to Keep Chipmunks Out of Garden? ( 8 Effective Way )

Well, identifying chipmunks in your garden may be easier than you think. But to get rid of them effectively may be problematic to you. 

However, in our gardening experience, I can give you some effective ways to stay out of this problem. Please read on-

1) Natural Repellent Treatment

Using natural repellents can be an effective way to keep chipmunks out of your garden. 

Chipmunks have a keen sense of smell, and some fragrances can keep them away. Here are some natural repellent treatments:

a) Spices and Herbs: 

You can use the natural repellent advantage by sprinkling crushed red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or garlic powder around your garden. 

Chipmunks dislike the strong odor of these spices. As red pepper flakes contain capsaicinoids, an ingredient that is strong enough for chipmunks to absorb. 

By the way, if you can mix two ingredients ( ground cayenne pepper and putrescent egg ), it will repel these animals from your garden. 

b) Mint: 

Plant mint around the perimeter of your garden. Chipmunks are repelled by the strong smell of mint.

By the way, you can do it alternatively by mixing 2 tablespoons of peppermint oil in one cup of water and filling it with a spray bottle.

Then spray over the around where the frequent observation of chipmunks is present. 

You can also soak cotton balls in the mixture or dab a few drops of peppermint oil on them.

c) Predator Urine: 

You can purchase predator urine (like fox or coyote, Bobcats urine) from garden supply stores and sprinkle it around your garden. 

Chipmunks will mistake it for a real threat and avoid visiting those place where the urine are spread. 

d) Essential Oils: 

Some essential oils like peppermint, eucalyptus, or cinnamon are effective against chipmunks.  You can place them strategically around your garden.

2) Mechanical And Barrier Solutions

Keeping chipmunks out of your garden can be achieved through mechanical and barrier solutions. 

Utilizing fences and barriers is an effective approach to prevent chipmunks from trespassing. You can do with motion-activated sprinklers can also deter these critters from your garden. 

These sprinklers sense movement and release bursts of water to scare chipmunks away.

Here are the barrier solutions:

Fencing:

• First, install a fence around your garden using hardware cloth or wire mesh with openings no larger than 1/2 inch.
• Then bury the fence at least 6-12 inches below the ground to prevent chipmunks from burrowing underneath.
• Ensure the fence is at least 2-3 feet high to discourage them from climbing over.

Raised Garden Beds:

• Create raised garden beds using materials like stone, brick, or wood.
• Line the bottom of the raised bed with wire mesh or hardware cloth to prevent chipmunks from digging up into the soil.

Read: How Often To Water Raised Garden Bed?

Amazon: Copper Mesh Rodent Control

3) Companion Planting: 

Some plants naturally inhibit to entry of the chipmunks into the garden. Though these are the normal processes to perform daily controlling, here are some plant lists you can plant alongside main crops-

• Daffodils, 
• Alliums, 
• Marigolds, 
• Mint, 
• Lavender, 
• Geraniums, 
• Thyme and sage. 

Chipmunks avoid daffodils because they contain a bitter and toxic compound called lycorine. The bulbs and leaves of daffodils also contain poisonous crystals. 

Additionally, the strong odor of marigold flowers deters small rodents.

As same is, true for Lavender, Geraniums, Thyme, and sage which produce some chemicals that prevent chipmunks from getting away from the garden.

4) Adding Spice Treatment.

We all know spices are used to increase the flavor of food. But it can also be used for chipmunk treatment. Chili powder, cayenne, or other hot spices are organic ways to prevent them from the garden area.

Not only that, this rodent will be extremely negative with the spray of spice which contains the repelling chemicals.

I must say if you want to avoid the chipmunks naturally it’s a good technique to follow.

5) Human and Animal hair

Though hair won’t affect any bad chemical properties, the presence of human and animal hair is cautious for the chipmunks to be aware of. 

They believe the place is full of human and animal activity, so they avoid going to places with a lot of hair.

N.B: You can collect hair from your dog, cat, or even barbershop. 

6) Incense

Using incense smoke as a means to get rid of chipmunks from your garden is not a highly effective method. 

While some people believe that certain scents, such as those produced by incense, can deter chipmunks and other small animals due to their strong odors, the results are generally inconsistent and temporary. 

Chipmunks are adaptable creatures, and their response to scents may vary. 

But as a beneficiary aspect, you can use this technique to get rid of chipmunks and mosquitos. 

Read Also: How to Get Rid of Termites in The Garden?

7) Use a sound-producing Machine

You can make a noise maker for your garden by attaching pie pans or old CDs to your fence posts. 

You can also try hanging bells around your yard to scare chipmunks away from your plants. 

Alongside that make an aluminum foil rope that will shine continuously to rid of rodents from your garden.  

8) Spray Blood Meal

Spraying blood meal can be an effective organic method for deterring certain pests, including chipmunks, from your garden. 

A blood meal is a dry, ground powder made from the blood of animals, typically livestock. 

It is rich in nitrogen and has a strong, iron-like scent that can repel many small mammals and some garden pests. Here’s how you can use blood meal to deter chipmunks

Sprinkle Blood Meal: Evenly spread blood meals around the perimeter of your garden beds or plants that are particularly vulnerable to chipmunk damage. You can also create a barrier around the entire garden if necessary.

Reapply as Needed: Blood meal will need to be reapplied after rain or watering since moisture can reduce its effectiveness. It’s essential to reapply it regularly to maintain its repellent properties.

Use in Combination: While blood meal can be a helpful deterrent, it’s often more effective when used in combination with other pest control methods, such as fencing or trapping.

Monitor Results: Keep an eye on your garden to see if chipmunk activity decreases after applying blood meal. If you notice that it’s not effective enough, consider using additional deterrent methods.

9) Don’t Put Bird Feeders Beside Garden

Placing a bird feeder near your garden can attract chipmunks and other small wildlife due to the spilled seeds and easy access to food. 

Chipmunks are opportunistic feeders and won’t hesitate to take advantage of an easily accessible food source. 

That is why it’s generally not advisable to put a bird feeder right beside your garden.

If you want to deter chipmunks then you should follow these ideas-

• Relocate the Bird Feeder
• Use Squirrel-Proof Feeders
• Clean Up Spilled Seeds
• Implement Chipmunk Deterrents

Frequently Asked Questions

What Do Chipmunks Hate The Most?

Chipmunks hate the strong smell of peppermint oil, garlic, and spicy plants like hot peppers. 

They also dislike the presence of predators like cats and owls. 

Additionally, chipmunks are not fond of noise and vibrations caused by machinery or loud music.

To deter chipmunks, you can:

• Sprinkle peppermint oil or garlic powder near their burrows.
• Plant hot peppers around your garden.
• Use predator decoys.
• Avoid leaving pet food or birdseed outside.
• Keep your yard clean and free of clutter.
• Close any openings or gaps around your house.

Peppermint and garlic are effective smells to keep chipmunks away. You can also use chili powder, cayenne pepper, and vinegar.

What Will Make Chipmunks Go Away?

Generally, mechanical and natural treatments are often effective for keeping chipmunks out of the garden. 

If you can maintain some other option it will give you more convenience. So, overall consideration, to get rid of chipmunks:

• Seal entry points.
• Trim trees and shrubs.
• Remove food sources.
• Install barriers.
• Use natural deterrents.
• Keep your yard clean.
• Call a professional if necessary.

Do Coffee Grounds Keep Chipmunks Away?

Coffee grounds are not an effective method to keep chipmunks away. While there is some evidence that coffee grounds may repel some animals, there is no scientific evidence that they are effective against chipmunks. 

In fact, some chipmunks may even be attracted to the smell of coffee grounds. Additionally, coffee grounds can be harmful to chipmunks if they eat them, so it is not advisable to use them as a deterrent. 

If you are looking for ways to keep chipmunks away, there are more effective methods available, such as using chipmunk traps or installing chipmunk-proof fencing.

What Are Some Natural Ways To Deter Chipmunks?

There are a lot of ways to deter chipmunks, We also mentioned some natural ways to prevent these animals from your garden.  

• Use garlic spray. Chipmunks hate the smell of garlic, so spraying it around your property can help to keep them away.
• Plant mint or marigolds. These plants also have a strong smell that chipmunks find unpleasant.
• Place traps baited with peanut butter. Chipmunks love peanut butter, so placing traps baited with it can help to catch them.

It is important to note that these methods may not be 100% effective, and you may need to try a combination of them to get the best results.

Do Chipmunks Eat Vegetables From The Garden?

Yes, chipmunks are known to eat vegetables from the garden, especially root crops like carrots and bulbs like tulips. 

They are also notorious for nibbling on a variety of garden crops, including but not limited to tomatoes, carrots, beans, peas, and strawberries. 

Their small size allows them to access and damage plants easily. 

Gardeners often face challenges in protecting their crops from chipmunk foraging, employing various deterrents and barriers to safeguard their harvests.

Conclusion

To keep chipmunks out of your garden, it is important to take proactive measures. Here is the in-brief answer- 

• Keep your garden tidy and remove any potential hiding places.
• Place barriers such as fences or mesh to prevent them from entering.
• Use natural repellents like garlic or hot pepper flakes.
• Monitor and adjust your prevention methods regularly.

With consistent effort, you can enjoy a chipmunk-free garden. I hope you got some new information from this post.

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Rabiour Rahman Raju

I am a graduate of Bangladesh Agricultural University, where I delved into various agricultural disciplines, equipping me with a profound understanding of agriculture. Beyond academics, I have hands-on experience in gardening and crop cultivation. My passion is to embrace sustainable farming and horticulture. With a BSc in Agriculture, I am dedicated to promoting environmentally conscious and efficient agrarian practices.

Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Agriculture (Hons.)
Master of Science. (Sustainable Agriculture & Food Security ) (MS)
Bangladesh Agricultural University