4 min readChipmunks may look harmless with their tiny paws, striped backs, and stuffed cheeks, but these cute critters can quickly become a major headache for homeowners. Once they start burrowing beneath patios, digging up flower bulbs, or helping themselves to your strawberries and garden vegetables, you'll likely be searching for how to get rid of chipmunks before the damage gets worse.
Despite their size, chipmunks can cause significant damage to gardens, retaining walls, and even home foundations, according to Robert Pierce, Ph.D., associate professor and state extension fisheries and wildlife specialist at the University of Missouri. “They can be a nuisance when they dig seeds from gardens, feed on flower bulbs or burrow in lawns or under foundations,” he writes in an article on the topic. These busy burrowers dig extensive tunnels beneath the surface, often leading to soil erosion and structural problems. To make matters worse, chipmunks have a varied palate that includes seeds, berries, nuts, flowers, and young vegetables. “They will also eat birds' eggs, insects, snails, and occasionally mice and young birds,” according to Pierce. They’re not picky, and if they find a good food source, they’ll come back again and again.
If you're wondering how to get rid of chipmunks and other pests like moles and squirrels, it's also important to understand what attracts them in the first place. Chipmunks aren't picky eaters—they happily snack on seeds, nuts, berries, flowers, fruits, and young vegetables. Pierce also notes that they'll occasionally eat insects, snails, birds' eggs, young birds, and even small mice. Once they discover a reliable food source, they're likely to return repeatedly.
Common signs of a chipmunk infestation include small holes scattered throughout flower beds, missing plants or bulbs, and piles of cracked seed shells beneath bird feeders. If you've noticed these telltale clues, it's time to learn how to get rid of chipmunks before they establish larger tunnel networks around your property.
Eliminating chipmunks isn't realistic—or even necessary—since they play an important role in the local ecosystem. However, there are plenty of effective, humane strategies to reduce their activity, discourage their return, and protect your yard from future damage. Keep reading to discover expert-approved tips on how to get rid of chipmunks and prevent these persistent burrowers from taking over your landscape.
Identify the Culprit
Before launching a plan of attack, make sure chipmunks are the real problem. Their damage often gets confused with that of mice, voles, squirrels, or moles. Chipmunks' burrow entrances are typically about two inches wide with no dirt mound around them, according to Pierce. They may appear near sidewalks, porches, or plant beds. Confirming the culprit helps ensure you use the right methods.
Limit Their Buffet
Chipmunks are driven by food availability. If you leave birdseed, pet food, or fallen fruits lying around, you’re rolling out the welcome mat for them to come feast. Keep feeders tidy or remove them entirely if chipmunks have become too much of a problem. Harvest ripe produce from your garden beds and fruit trees promptly and clean up regularly to remove tempting snacks.
Use Repellents Strategically
There are commercial repellents available that use bitter flavors or predator scents (like fox or coyote urine) to deter chipmunks. These can work in the short term, especially when applied around garden beds or burrow entrances. But keep in mind they need to be reapplied after rain and may lose effectiveness over time as chipmunks get used to the smell or taste.
Block Their Path
Physical barriers are one of the most reliable deterrents, according to Pierce. He suggests using mesh or hardware cloth to protect raised garden beds, bulb plantings, or newly seeded areas. Bury barriers at least six inches deep with a bend outward at the bottom to prevent tunneling underneath. Covering the soil surface with gravel or garden fabric can also discourage digging.
Trap and Release (Where Legal)
If deterrents aren’t working, live traps can help reduce local chipmunk numbers—especially when used alongside habitat and food reduction. Place traps near burrow entrances or along common travel paths, and bait them with peanut butter, sunflower seeds, or raisins. Be sure to check local regulations before attempting to relocate animals; in many places, it’s illegal or discouraged due to ecological concerns and the risks of separating mothers from their young.
Try Motion or Sound Devices with Caution
Some gardeners report success with motion-activated sprinklers or ultrasonic noise emitters, but results can vary. Like squirrels, chipmunks often grow accustomed to repeated stimuli if they learn there’s no real threat. These options may help temporarily, but they are best used in rotation with other tactics.
Discourage Nesting Near Structures
Chipmunks love to tunnel beneath decks, patios, and foundations. Pierce recommends sealing off these areas using heavy-gauge hardware cloth and patching up cracks or holes in your home’s exterior with caulk or other materials. Avoid using foam or wood alone—chipmunks can gnaw through soft materials.
Remove Hiding Spots
Dense shrubs, woodpiles, and cluttered garden corners create perfect chipmunk hiding places. Trim overgrown plants, elevate firewood, and keep your yard tidy to make your property less inviting. Open, exposed areas feel riskier to chipmunks and discourage them from settling in.
Skip the Home Remedies
While it’s tempting to try popular DIY chipmunk-repellent hacks like mothballs, garlic, peppermint oil, or human hair, these methods have little science to back them up. At best, they offer fleeting results. At worst, they may be ineffective and potentially harmful to pets or beneficial wildlife.
Call in the Pros
If you’re facing extensive burrowing, repeated garden raids, or damage to your home’s structure, it might be time to consult a wildlife control professional. They can assess the situation, recommend safe and legal solutions, and help ensure the issue doesn’t come back with the next planting season.
