Do you have a chipmunk problem in your backyard? Chipmunks can wreak havoc in your garden despite their cute appearance, destroying your flowerbeds, bird feeders, and lawn. But how can you get rid of chipmunks without killing them?
There are several humane ways of ridding your yard of chipmunks, like planting natural deterrents, cleaning up your yard, installing bulb cages, and placing bird feeders away from fences. You can also try the catch-and-release technique to remove chipmunks from their burrows and rehome them.
If you want to learn more about ways to get rid of chipmunks without killing them, stick around. We’ll discuss several ways to remove and repel these little critters without giving you restless nights.
How To Get Rid Of Chipmunks Without Killing Them?
Chipmunks may be cute little fuzzballs, but they can easily tear your garden apart if given the opportunity. The rodents often dig up your bulb flowers, like tulips, destroying your flowerbed.
They also cause carnage among bird feeders, raiding the feeder and spilling seeds everywhere. Chipmunks may burrow beneath your driveway, home, or walkway if they feel your home is suitable.
So, most people prefer getting rid of the chipmunks before they can cause this kind of damage.
However, suppose you aren’t fond of killing animals but don’t want to cohabitate with the chipmunks.
In that case, you may look for ways to eliminate them without killing them. Fortunately, there are several ways to do this. Here are 6 of them.
1. Use Natural Deterrents
While chipmunks are attracted to certain bulbs, like tulips and crocuses, they are repelled by others.
By planting daffodils or Alliums in your garden, you can ensure that your flowerbeds are beautiful without fearing that the pests will ruin them.
Chipmunks aren’t attracted to these flower bulbs and are more likely to leave your garden in peace. You can also plant garlic since the smell is a deterrent for chipmunks.
You can also try planting chilis in your yard and scattering the chili powder among your flowerbeds, as the scent repels chipmunks.
Mothballs are also an excellent chipmunk repellant but may be dangerous to house pets like dogs.
Place CDs or beach balls around your yard to scare off nosy chipmunks, or use water sprinkles to douse them if they cross your borders.
2. Clean Clutter From Your Yard
If your yard has less clutter and natural material, the chipmunks have fewer spaces to hide and won’t feel inclined to stay there. Clean up any rock piles, leaves, branches, and other debris from your yard so chipmunks won’t feel safe.
Trim away the bottom of hedges and trees, so the chipmunks cannot use them as shelter.
Don’t place flowerbeds directly next to hedges; this gives the chipmunks plenty of space to hide and allows them to dig up your precious bulbs.
Experts suggest using a gravel border to surround your flowerbeds and garden since the gavel and lack of plants deter the chipmunks.
But, of course, this also means removing weeds or plants that grow through the gravel.
3. Move Bird Feeders
Since bird feeders are a significant cause of chipmunk carnage, it is recommended that you move them to where they are no longer within reach.
Also, place the bird feeders high enough so the chipmunks cannot easily climb them.
Place the bird feeders far away from the fence so they are out of reach from the pesky rodents. Some experts also recommend adding red pepper to the bird seed.
The birds can eat it without issues, but the chipmunks won’t touch the feed with red pepper.
Also, pick up any fallen bird seed from the ground to ensure the chipmunks don’t dwell in your garden to eat it, allowing them to cause other damage and problems.
4. Use Bulb Cages
If you are intent on growing bulb flowers that attract chipmunks, consider planting them in bulb cages so they cannot get to them.
Bulb cages are made from fine mesh placed in the ground before planting your bulbs.
They allow soil and water to pass through and are big enough so your blubs can grow. But they are also secure enough so the chipmunks cannot access the bulbs when digging through the soil.
The bulb cages will prevent the chipmunks from destroying your flowers, but they will still try to dig out the bulbs and cause damage to the flowerbed.
This is why combining the bulb cages with some of the other measures mentioned is essential, so you can protect the bulbs and deter the chipmunks from your garden altogether.
5. Consider Another Type Of Fence
Another thing worth trying is installing metal mesh fencing around your yard, especially on the lower half of wooden fences and hedges where chipmunks can easily slip through.
This will prevent them from entering your garden and make your home less hospitable.
This tip works well with cleaning your yard and trimming the bottoms of hedges, as it ensures the chipmunks feel exposed and unsafe in your garden.
Avoid using an electric fence as it may harm the chipmunks and cause harm to other animals, including house pets.
6. Catch An Release
Any garden keeper’s worst nightmare is realized if they come home to find chipmunk burrows in their yard. Fortunately, you can evict the chipmunks without killing them by setting traps and then releasing them in the wild.
There are many cage traps available for chipmunks.
Place the trap outside their burrow and use birdseed or other treats to lure them into it.
Then, take the trap to another location, preferably the closest forest or field, and release the chipmunks. Fill their burrows with soil immediately after removing them so they won’t return.
You can also add some hair clippings to the soil, so your scent is on the soil. If the chipmunks smell you, they will also feel less comfortable staying.
Are Chipmunks Dangerous In Your Yard?
Although chipmunks are mostly a nuisance, they can also threaten your home and family.
Chipmunks are disease carriers and can spread deadly diseases if they bite your pets or children. Fortunately, they are not high-risk pests that spread diseases, but there’s always a possibility.
Then, of course, there is the problem of them biting someone. Chipmunks aren’t usually aggressive but attack you if they feel cornered or endangered.
This may lead to you having a nasty bite and a severely stressed chipmunk.
So, even if you don’t have problems with chipmunks in your garden, you should still avoid touching them since it may lead to regrettable results.
Final Word
There are several ways of getting rid of chipmunks without killing them, like catching and releasing, moving your bird feeders, using natural deterrents, etc.
You’ll want to take immediate action if you notice them in your yard.
Chipmunks can cause a lot of damage to your garden, and using bulb cages can help keep them from digging up your flower bulbs.
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Sources
https://www.countryliving.com/gardening/a36437751/how-to-get-rid-of-chipmunks/
https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-get-rid-of-chipmunks-2656308