Chipmunks are small, striped rodents that frequently cause frustration for homeowners and gardeners. These animals typically grow to about five to six inches long and are recognizable for the dark stripes running down their backs and faces. Chipmunks become nuisances when their extensive burrowing damages sidewalks, patios, retaining walls, or foundations. They also cause problems by digging up flower bulbs and consuming seeds or fallen fruit. Successfully deterring chipmunks requires a multi-pronged strategy addressing their needs for food, water, and shelter.
Modifying the Environment to Discourage Stay
The first step in deterrence involves making the surroundings less attractive for nesting and foraging. Chipmunks are attracted to easy food sources, and eliminating these is the most effective initial defense. Secure outdoor food items by using feeders that catch spilled birdseed and storing dry pet food in tightly sealed containers.
Reducing potential shelter spots is also important. Chipmunks seek dense cover and debris near structures to hide their burrow entrances. Homeowners should clear away brush piles, stacks of firewood, and excessive ground cover located close to a foundation, deck, or shed. Creating a plant-free border, perhaps with gravel, around buildings can discourage digging and reveal existing burrow openings.
Physical Barriers for Exclusion
Physical exclusion is the most reliable long-term solution for protecting specific areas and structures. Effective barriers must use materials with a very fine mesh. Galvanized hardware cloth with a maximum mesh opening of one-quarter inch is the standard for sealing entry points, as chipmunks cannot squeeze through or chew through the metal.
Use this hardware cloth to seal cracks in the foundation, gaps under sheds or decks, and openings around utility pipes or vents. To prevent burrowing, bury a section of hardware cloth vertically around the perimeter. This buried barrier, called an L-shaped footer, should extend six to twelve inches deep and then bend outward for six inches to stop upward digging. For gardens, the fine mesh can be placed over newly planted bulbs or used to build a full cage around a vegetable patch.
Scent and Taste Repellents
Repellents use strong odors or tastes that chipmunks find offensive, making an area undesirable for foraging. Commercial products often use capsaicin, which gives chili peppers their heat, or predator urine, which simulates a threat. These products are applied directly to the surface of plants or soil that needs protection.
Many common household items also contain potent scents that can temporarily deter chipmunks. Peppermint oil, garlic, and cayenne pepper are effective due to their strong, irritating aromas and tastes. A mixture of essential oil and water can be sprayed around vulnerable areas, or the dry spice can be sprinkled on the ground. The major drawback is that both commercial and homemade repellents require frequent reapplication, especially after rain, to maintain effectiveness.
Humane and Legal Considerations
When managing chipmunk presence, choose methods that are humane and comply with local regulations. The use of poisons or toxic baits is discouraged because they pose a serious risk of secondary poisoning to pets, children, and non-target wildlife. Humane deterrence and exclusion techniques are the preferred approach to wildlife management.
In some situations, trapping may be considered, but property owners must first check local ordinances. State and local laws often regulate or prohibit the trapping and relocation of wildlife. Relocation is frequently illegal because it can spread disease or cause undue stress, often leading to the animal’s death in unfamiliar territory. If a chipmunk must be removed, consulting with a licensed wildlife control professional is the safest way to ensure compliance.