How Can I Humanely Get Rid of Chipmunks?

Chipmunks are an annoying or destructive pest in your garden or yard.

Chipmunks cause problems for manicured lawns and gardens. They eat almost anything, including flowers, seeds, seedlings, fruits, vegetables and grains. Humane methods for getting rid of chipmunks include trapping and relocating them, or using natural deterrents or repellents. Another method is to make modifications to your yard, which means chipmunks are no longer attracted to your space. You can also exclude chipmunks specifically from your vegetable garden, flowerbed or individual plants.

Things You'll Need

• Live trap
• Sunflower seeds
• Carrots
• Breakfast cereal
• 1/4 inch mesh hardware cloth
• Artificial owl
• Garlic cloves
• Cayenne pepper
• Commercial natural rodent deterrent
• Fox urine
• Sonic deterrent

Instructions

Live Trapping

1. Set up the live trap in the area chipmunks frequent. Bait the trap with sunflower seeds, pieces of carrot, cereal or other foods the chipmunks have been eating. Use pieces of something the chipmunks have been eating in your yard. Wire the trap open for a few days so the chipmunks recognize it as a food source.

2. Set the trap spring according to the manufacturer's directions. Check the trap a few times each day to see if you have caught a chipmunk. Remove the trap as soon as you have caught one.

3. Bring the trap to a location at least 5 miles away. Choose an area that is a natural habitat for chipmunks, where they will not create a nuisance for someone else. Keep your fingers away from the door opening and sides of the cage to avoid being bitten. Release the spring door so the chipmunk exits the trap.

4. Reset the trap. Move the trap every few days. Position the trap so the door is near the chipmunks' burrow.

Habitat Modification

1. Create a landscape that is not attractive to chipmunks. Keep areas where you do not want chipmunks clear of debris and ground cover that shelters chipmunks. Keep woodpiles away from your house, garden or flowerbed.

2. Install 1/4 inch mesh hardware cloth around the perimeter of your garden, flower bed or other planting that you do not want chipmunks to access. Bury the hardware cloth at least 8 inches below ground and extend it 12 inches above ground.

3. Install an artificial owl in the chipmunks' vicinity. Owls are natural predators to chipmunks.

Deterrents

1. Apply scents or foods that chipmunks naturally dislike around the perimeter of your garden or plantings. Use garlic, cayenne pepper or commercially available products. Apply the product directly to the plants if the manufacturer indicates that it is safe to do so.

2. Spray fox urine or other urine of animals that prey on chipmunks around the perimeter of the garden or plants you want to protect from chipmunks.

3. Install a sonic deterrent that repels chipmunks according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Tips & Warnings

• Check state, county or municipal regulations for any restrictions on getting rid of chipmunks.

• Do not leave the trap set and unattended for several days as you may unintentionally kill a chipmunk from starvation, heat exhaustion or other trauma.

• Very young chipmunks may not be able to survive on their own. They may die shortly after being released from shock, or from being unable to find food and shelter on their own. Releasing any chipmunks may only move the problem to someone else's yard or disrupt another ecosystem.

• You may trap another animal you did not intend to, such as a squirrel or bird.

References

• The Ohio State University Extension Factsheet; Horticulture and Crop Science: The Eastern Chipmunk in the Home, Yard and Garden
• Michigan State University Extension: Chipmunks and Ground Squirrels

Resources

• Mass Audubon: Mammals: Chipmunks