How to Chase Chipmunks Away With Peppermint Oil

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There are about 20 species of Western chipmunk.

Chipmunks are the burrowing cousins of squirrels that enjoy digging in yards and gardens. They can wreak havoc in your backyard as they will often rip up recently planted seeds and feed on plants and vegetables. There are numerous ways to chase off chipmunks without using poison or other ways of killing them. Peppermint essential oil is an effective no-kill method of getting rid of a chipmunk problem as the oil and the plant are both repellent to chipmunks. Peppermint is one of numerous plants distasteful to rodents.

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Step 1

Saturate a 100 percent cotton ball with 100 percent pure peppermint essential oil. Place in an area chipmunks appear to frequent like gardens and underneath back porches. Chipmunks tend to go for shaded areas so keep that in mind when planting the cotton balls.

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Step 2

Keep saturating cotton balls with peppermint oil and placing them in chipmunk prone areas until you believe you have covered all areas of chipmunk activity. Rags soaked in peppermint oil can also be used if desired.

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Step 3

Replace the cotton balls or rags about every three weeks or when they have lost their scent. Planting peppermint around your garden and back porch areas is another effective way to repel chipmunks.

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