Chipmunk Control: How To Get Rid of Chipmunks?

Do you have chipmunks in your yard? It’s essential to know how to repel chipmunks since they can cause a lot of problems, such as digging in gardens and damaging your home’s foundation. So what’s the secret to getting rid of chipmunks?

How to get rid of chipmunks? To get rid of chipmunks, you will want to try some natural methods first, such as certain scents that repel chipmunks and cleaning up debris and fruits to make your yard unattractive and boring to them. Next, try using humane traps to trap and release them into the wild.

If you have a chipmunk infestation on your property, you will want to keep reading. However, you must know how to remove these creatures humanely.

What Is a Chipmunk?

Chipmunks are small rodents that live in the ground. They can hold up to 32 nuts at one time, which they bring to their underground storage spaces. Despite their cute appearance, these rodents can cause a lot of destruction on your property. 

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What Does a Chipmunk Look Like?

Chipmunks are small rodents from the squirrel family. They have short legs, bushy tails, and signature white and black stripes that run along their sides. You likely see them bouncing around your yard during the warm months.

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How Big Is a Chipmunk?

An average chipmunk is around 10 inches long (25cm), from the tip of its nose to its tail. However, most fall in the range of 7 inches (18 cm) to 11 inches (28 cm) in size, and since they are so small, they can fit in tight spaces with ease.

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Where Do Chipmunks Live?

Are you wondering where chipmunks nest? These creatures dig burrows in the ground and create storage spaces for their food. They build tunnels connected to nesting rooms, which can be very long.

Some chipmunks live in bushes, at the base of trees, or even inside logs.

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How Long Do Chipmunks Live?

Chipmunks usually live between two and five years in their natural habitat, but their lifespan can lower when exposed to cold weather, sickness, or predators. But some chipmunks, such as the Siberian chipmunk, can live up to 10 years. 

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What Do Chipmunks Eat?

Chipmunks eat anything they can get their claws on, including acorns, nuts, berries, seeds, and fruit. If you are growing berries on your property, you can easily attract these rodents, even when you don’t want to attract them.

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Types of Chipmunks

There are 25 total species of chipmunks in the world, with most living in North America. But you can find only the Siberian chipmunk in other areas. However, in the United States, there are two main types- the Eastern and Western.

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Difference Between Chipmunk and Squirrel?

When it comes to a chipmunk vs. squirrel, there are very noticeable differences up close. Chipmunks have distinctive black and white stripes, making them easy to identify, while the squirrel has a longer, bushier tail and has more gray in its fur than brown.  

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Are Chipmunks Dangerous?

Like other rodents, chipmunks can carry diseases that can spread to humans. While they are not aggressive animals, they may scratch or bite if you try to corner them. But, overall, they are not a direct threat to you or your family.

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Are Chipmunks Destructive?

Chipmunks can be very destructive and can destroy your garden or any plants you have around. They tend to burrow, which can cause many holes to appear around your property. Or they might chew wires leading to your house, which can cause fires and other issues. 

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Do Chipmunks Bite?

Chipmunks prefer to run away over biting. They are not aggressive rodents but will defend themselves when threatened, and may bite or scratch you if you try to catch them. It’s best to use humane traps if trying to capture a chipmunk.

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Do Chipmunks Carry Diseases?

Chipmunks can carry serious diseases, including the plague. Additionally, these rodents are known to have:

• Salmonella
• Rocky Mountain spotted fever
• Encephalitis
• Rabies
• Hantavirus

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How Do You Get Rid of Chipmunks? Step by Step Instructions

If you are dealing with chipmunks, start following these steps as soon as you can:

• Remove your bird feeder, if you have one.

• Clean up sticks and debris from your yard.

• Remove firewood piles, if any.

• Try rodent repellents.

• Use humane traps to capture them.

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Best Way To Get Rid of Chipmunks in Some Specific Places

Chipmunks are tiny and can get into any space on your property. Because of this, you’ll need to learn how to remove them from several different locations. The best methods are ones that involve repelling the rodents since it doesn’t hurt them.

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How To Get Rid of Chipmunks in Yard?

You can place a fake “predator” in your yard, such as a motion-activated owl. These work perfectly at scaring away rodents, because they appear to be alive, waiting for prey. There are also predator urine sprays that you can use instead of these owls. 

How To Get Rid of Chipmunks Under Deck?

You will want to set up some humane traps under the deck, such as the Gingbau Chipmunk Trap from Amazon. It is humane, allowing you to remove them quickly. You can also use sunflower seeds or peanut butter as bait. 

How To Get a Chipmunk Out of Your House?

Occasionally, a chipmunk may find its way into your home. When that happens, leave the chipmunk alone with a humane trap. If you don’t have a trap, leave one door or window open for the chipmunk to leave. You can also place some peanut butter right outside to help the process along.

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How To Get Rid of Chipmunks in Garage?

To remove chipmunks and keep them out, try using cayenne pepper around the door, as they hate the spicy smell and will stay away. You can also spray some peppermint oil around the garage. 

You also may want to place some humane traps in your garage. But make sure you block off all entrances and remove the clutter to keep them from coming back.

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How To Get Rid of Chipmunks in House Walls?

If you hear chipmunks in the wall, you will want to find their entrance point, then place a trap near it. When you are sure you’ve removed all the rodents, do your best to seal the entrance so they can’t return.

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How To Get Rid of Chipmunks in Attic?

A peanut butter trap is the best way to remove rodents from the attic. Be sure to leave the room and close the door for a few hours, as it can take a while for the chipmunk to come out. You’ll need to keep any pets you have away from there, so the chipmunks can feel safe to come out and get in the trap.

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How To Get Rid of Chipmunks Under Sidewalk?

Remove all nearby debris, then place an L-shaped footer around the sidewalks to prevent them from burrowing under it.

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How To Get Rid of Chipmunks Under House?

Start by taking away all the debris in the area, then use rodent repellent around the foundation. You also will want to use humane traps.

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What Gets Rid of Chipmunks? Products Review

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Best Chipmunk Repellents

If you don’t want to use chemicals, you can try a solar-powered repeller, which uses ultrasonic noises to deter chipmunks.

Best Chipmunk Traps

The best chipmunk traps are humane and easy to set up. The traps are perfect for removing chipmunks without hurting them. It helps to set up a few at a time.

Best Chipmunk Deterrent Sprays

Chipmunks hate the smell of mint. You can either make your own peppermint oil mixture or try the Might Mint Store Spray. It’s natural, making exposure safe for you and your pets.

How To Get Rid of Chipmunks Naturally?

There are some smells that chipmunks hate. You can use these natural ingredients to deter them:

• Pureed garlic
• Cayenne or hot peppers
• Peppermint oil

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Natural Chipmunk Repellent

Make a natural chipmunk repellent by steeping pureed garlic and pepper in one cup of hot, soapy water. Once the water has cooled, strain it, then add a small amount of mint oil. Shake it once inside the spray bottle.

You can spray this mixture on any areas you want to keep the rodents away from. 

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Home Remedies To Get Rid of Chipmunks

Cayenne pepper is a wonderful chipmunk deterrent. You can sprinkle it around your foundation, attic, and flowers to keep the rodents away. You can also follow the above methods to drive them away from your home.

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How To Catch a Chipmunk?

To catch a chipmunk, you need to give them a lot of time alone, as they will run away when they sense you nearby. Set out your trap with peanut butter (their favorite snack), then check on it in a few hours. The chipmunk should be inside.

You can take it out and release it at a reasonable distance from your property.

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How To Keep Chipmunks Away?

This video details how to get rid of chipmunks and keep them away in the future:

How To Keep Chipmunks Out of Garden?

Use cayenne pepper in your garden, as the strong scent will keep the rodents away. Additionally, you may also want to try placing a decoy predator nearby.

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How To Keep Chipmunks Out of Flower Pots?

If you have cats, you can sprinkle a small amount of used kitty litter around the pots, as the cat’s urine scent effectively repels the rodents. Make sure to wear gloves and clean your hands very well.

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How To Keep Chipmunks Away From Tomato Plants?

Chipmunks hate the smell of garlic! Buy a few bulbs and plant them around your tomato plants, as the strong scent will repel the rodents. 

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How To Keep Chipmunks Out of Car Engine?

If you have a garage, always park there, as it makes it harder for rodents to discover your vehicle. Then, start placing mothballs and dryer sheets in your car, because the smell is strong to the chipmunks, which deters them from entering.

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How To Fill Chipmunk Holes?

Drop a few mothballs into the hole, then pack the holes tightly with dirt. They may dig through the new soil, so make sure to check back often. The creatures hate the smell and will likely abandon the nest if you continue replacing them.

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What Does a Chipmunk Hole Look Like?

The hole is about two inches around. It resembles a mole hole but is going to be much cleaner. Chipmunks carry the leftover dirt away in their mouths, while moles leave a small mound around the entrance to their tunnels.

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Can an Exterminator Get Rid of Chipmunks?

You can hire an exterminator to remove the chipmunks for you, as they will be able to spot where the rodents are nesting or any chipmunk babies in the area. The pros can effectively remove all the creatures, ensuring more don’t return any time soon.

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Summary

Overall, there are many different ways to control chipmunks. They hate strong scents, making it simple to repel them. Mothballs and cayenne pepper are some of the best materials to use. You don’t want to allow chipmunks to infest your yard, as they can carry diseases that can transfer to humans.

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List of Sources

Pierce, R. A. II. Controlling Nuisance Chipmunks. University of Missouri Extension.

Saunders, D. A. (1988). Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias Striatus Richardson). Adirondack Mammals. State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry.

Perry, L. Chipmunks in the Garden. University of Vermont.

Cornell Cooperative Extension. (2010). Chipmunks.

Erler, E. (2018). Chipmunks in the Garden. University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension.