How to Get Rid of Chipmunks

Chipmunks, also known as ground squirrels, may be cute but are invasive and destructive to plants, gardens and even homes. It is important to prevent and remove chipmunks as soon as you spot them. The following will help in your efforts to get rid of chipmunks.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Chipmunk deterrents
• Traps
• Sunflower seeds or nuts
• Hot sauce or pepper spray
• Moth balls
• Empty bucket

1. Apply a chipmunk deterrent around your yard. You may purchase these at a local lawn and garden center.

2. Place moth balls around landscaping, especially near gardens.

3. Spray garden leaves with hot sauce or pepper spray. Chipmunks will not enjoy the taste and will hopefully leave the area or plant for good.

4. Purchase and set up chipmunk traps at your local home and garden center. Some traps will kill the chipmunks while others will just trap them. Set up the traps in a shaded area and place seeds or nuts in the appropriate bin. The seeds and nuts will lure the pests into the trap.

5. Place a 5-gallon bucket with sunflower seeds next to a step. The chipmunks will get into the bucket in their search for the seeds, but will be unable to escape.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don't mind cats, think about getting one as a pet. Cats are a natural predator of chipmunks and you will soon be chipmunk free.
• If all else fails, call a pest control company that can help prevent and trap the chipmunks.
• Once trapped, take the chipmunks far way to place them back into the wild. If too close, he will soon be moving back in with you.

Resources

• Getting rid of chipmunks
• Treating chipmunks and other invaders
• Pest control

[bluegrass4me]

on 7/22/2009 I have found great results with the "5 gallon bucket" method. However, I line the bucket 3-4 inches from the top w/ petroleum jelly....Be warned, the animals do not care to much for the "bucket of doom" and I have captured an Opossum once...BE CAREFUL!!!

[kniffer]

on 5/22/2009 Mothballs SHOULD NOT BE USED as a deterrent for anything but moths in a tightly sealed environment. Used in landscaping to deter "critters" they can easily be ingested by pets which will quickly poisen them - causing organ damage which may prove fatal.