Methods to Keep Chipmunks Out of Your Garden

Dealing with a chipmunk invasion in your garden can be incredibly frustrating. These small yet destructive critters can quickly destroy beautiful flowers, snack on tasty vegetables, and dig up plant roots. As gardeners, we've dealt with our fair share of curious chipmunks munching through our gardens. But there are effective techniques you can use to deter chipmunks and protect your garden.

From physical barriers to natural repellents, you'll learn easy DIY solutions to safeguard your flowers, herbs, and vegetables from these pesky rodents.

Build Sturdy Fencing

One of the most effective ways to keep chipmunks away from your garden is to install a fence around the perimeter. This physical barrier prevents chipmunks from easily entering and freely nibbling on your plants.

For best results, use a small mesh chicken wire or hardware cloth instead of standard chicken wire. The openings in the mesh need to be 1/4 inch or smaller so that chipmunks can't squeeze through. Bury the bottom edge of the fencing several inches underground to prevent chipmunks from burrowing underneath.

You can also try a more decorative option like garden netting. Just ensure the netting has a tight weave and no rips. A proper fence with a gate can limit chipmunk access to just the garden entrance while keeping the remaining area secure.

Tips for Effective Fencing

• Bury fencing at least 6 inches underground
• Use 1/4 inch wire mesh or smaller
• Check for and patch any holes
• Install a fence gate for easy access
• Sloping the fence outward can deter climbing

Employ Natural Repellents

When searching for ways to keep chipmunks away from your garden plants, start with some natural repellents. Certain smells and substances are unpleasant and alarming to chipmunks, encouraging them to avoid treated areas of your garden.

Scent Repellents

There are several strong scents that can effectively repel chipmunks:

• Blood meal - Smells like predator to chipmunks
• Garlic - Strong odor deters chipmunks
• Peppermint oil - Unpleasant smell for rodents
• Eucalyptus oil - Disliked scent deters chipmunks
• Cinnamon - Overpowering spicy aroma

You can purchase these ingredients in ready-to-use repellent sprays. Or easily make your own repellent spray by mixing the oils with water and spraying around your garden. Reapply after heavy rain.

Plant Repellents

Certain plants have smells chipmunks dislike. Growing these around your garden helps deter chipmunks:

• Lavender
• Catnip
• Garlic
• Onions
• Marigolds

You can also scatter these dried plants around as a natural repellent:

• Dried peppermint leaves
• Crushed garlic cloves
• Chopped onion
• Dried chili pepper flakes

Use Predator Urine and Scent

Chipmunks are constantly on alert for predators like foxes, coyotes, wolves, and dogs. Using predator urine or scents triggers the chipmunks' innate fear response and frightens them away.

Look for predator urine products at garden centers or online. Follow instructions to apply around the perimeter of your garden. You can also use dog or cat hair collected from brushing your pet. Sprinkle some hair around plants to deter curious chipmunks.

Tips for Using Predator Scent

• Reapply urine granules after rain
• Use multiple predator scents
• Refresh pet hair every few days
• Avoid placing near edible plants

Give Them a Shock

Motion activated sprinklers are an effective deterrent for all kinds of garden pests. When chipmunks come near, they get sprayed with a startling blast of water. This teaches them to avoid the areas you have protected.

Look for sprinkler systems designed specifically for critter control. They should have a sensitive motion detector and ability to adjust the water spray area. Position them near vulnerable plants and along common chipmunk paths.

Tips for Motion Sprinklers

• Adjust water pressure and range as needed
• Aim away from wanted animals/people
• Combine with fence for best results
• Drain in winter to prevent freezing damage

Remove Food Sources and Shelter

The easiest way for chipmunks to feast on your garden is if you serve up free food! Eliminate any outdoor food sources that could attract chipmunks to the area.

Clean up fallen fruits and vegetables that can attract snacking chipmunks. Be diligent about picking ripe produce so they don't get the first nibble. Take down bird feeders that spill seed chipmunks forage under.

Also remove woodpiles, rock piles, dense shrubs or any other habitat where chipmunks like to build nests and take shelter near your garden. Trim back vegetation touching fences or structures to eliminate pathways into your garden.

Tips to Remove Chipmunk Shelter & Food

• Always promptly harvest ripe produce
• Clean up fallen fruits and veggies
• Remove uncontained compost piles
• Take down outdoor bird feeders
• Prune back vegetation near fences
• Cut away climbing vines on structures

Use Repellents They Dislike

There are several handy substances already in your pantry that can help repel chipmunks when applied around plants and garden fences.

Coffee Grounds

Used coffee grounds make an effective barrier. Sprinkle them around your garden beds. Chipmunks dislike crawling over the dry, gritty texture and bitter taste.

Baby Powder

Lightly dust baby powder around plants. The smell of talcum powder repels chipmunks.

Pepper

Cayenne pepper, black pepper, and chili powder can all deter chipmunks. Sprinkle a band around plants or mix with flour and dust plants.

Vinegar

Spray full strength vinegar around plants and fences. The strong scent drives chipmunks away.

Use Physical Barriers

Physical barriers make it difficult for chipmunks to reach your plants or dig burrows in garden beds.

Garden Netting

Cover seedlings or low-growing plants with lightweight row cover or garden netting with a tight weave. Secure the edges with stakes or stones.

Wire Mesh

Place wire mesh cylinders around the base of plants to protect from digging and chewing. Use 1/4" hardware cloth or similar wire mesh.

Planted Barriers

Plant prickly bushes around the garden's edge. Try barberry, hemlock, holly, juniper or pyracantha. Thorns and prickly leaves deter chipmunks.

Scare Them Away

Sometimes simply scaring and startling chipmunks is enough to convince them your garden isn't worth the trouble. Use these techniques to frighten them off.

Predator Sounds

Play recorded predator sounds like barking dogs, screeching hawks, or hissing cats. Vary the sounds and occasionally play loud noises to startle any lingering chipmunks.

Scat Mats

Set out plastic or rubber predator scat mats designed to look like animal droppings. Place them along fence lines and garden edges.

Shiny Deterrents

Chipmunks dislike reflective surfaces. Hang old CDs, suspend foil strips, or place mirrored garden ornaments near plants.

Motion Sprinklers

As mentioned previously, motion activated sprinklers deliver a startling blast to scare chipmunks away from your garden plants.

Use Toxic Chemical Repellents Cautiously

As a last resort, you can use chemical repellents specifically designed to deter burrowing rodents. However, exercise extreme caution with these products as they contain toxic ingredients.

One option is capsaicin-based repellent sprays derived from hot peppers. Apply these sparingly around garden perimeters. Rinsing vegetables thoroughly before eating is important.

Toxic baits containing lethal anticoagulants are also available. But these can harm children, pets and any wildlife. It's best to avoid using these chemical controls whenever possible.

Stay Vigilant with Ongoing Maintenance

Getting rid of chipmunks requires patience and being diligent about garden maintenance. Keep monitoring for signs of chipmunks and don't let your guard down.

Check fences and barriers for breaches after storms or heavy winds. Fill in any holes or tunnels you find immediately. Removing hiding spots reduces the chance chipmunks settle back in.

Implement preventive measures in early spring before chipmunks emerge and again in fall after cleaning up gardens. Stop problems before they start next season.

While not a complete solution, cats can be an effective deterrent. Allow your feline friends to patrol the garden area safely.

Combine Multiple Deterrent Techniques

For best results, combine several of these techniques tailored to your garden layout. Physical barriers, natural repellents, scare tactics and removing shelters/food work better together to convince chipmunks your garden just isn't appealing.

It can take weeks or months to fully condition chipmunks to avoid your garden. So don't give up too quickly! Persistence using multiple deterrents is key to success.

Protect New Plantings and Delicate Crops

Take extra steps to protect newly planted seedlings, berries, and other delicate crops chipmunks love to nibble on. Here are some tips:

• Cover seed beds with floating row covers
• Use paper or plastic plant collars around seedlings
• Wrap hardware cloth around raised beds
• Install temporary fencing around berry bushes or fruit trees
• Use wire mesh cylinders around corn stalks

As you can see, there are many effective DIY solutions to keep chipmunks away from your garden plants. Combining physical deterrents, repellents, and removal of food sources offers the best protection. Your beautiful flowers and tasty vegetables will be safer from these furry garden thieves.

We hope these comprehensive tips give you success evicting chipmunks from your garden. Just remember it takes diligence and persistence to outwit these nimble creatures. With an integrated pest management approach, your garden can once again become a chipmunk-free zone.