Chipmunk Removal: Safe and Effective Ways to Get Rid of Chipmunks

To get rid of chipmunks, remove their food and cover first: store birdseed and pet food in sealed containers, clear wood piles and dense ground cover, and install buried hardware cloth around foundations and gardens. If activity continues, use live traps (after checking local laws) or call a wildlife professional, and confirm a burrow is empty before filling it.

TL;DR: Chipmunks are small striped rodents that dig tunnels up to 20 to 30 feet long with several entrances, and they eat seeds, nuts, fruit, insects, and pet food. Signs include 2-inch burrow holes, damaged bulbs and seedlings, disturbed bird feeders, and tunnels near patios or foundations. Prevention works best: secure food, remove hiding spots, and bury hardware cloth at least 6 inches deep. Live trapping and repellents can help, but check local laws before relocating, and call a professional if chipmunks keep returning or burrow near foundations.

Key Takeaways

• Chipmunks are territorial, most active in the morning and late afternoon, and lightly hibernate in winter.
• Signs include 2-inch holes, damaged seedlings and bulbs, disturbed bird feeders, and shallow tunnels near patios or decks.
• They can burrow under patios, sidewalks, and foundations and chew siding or wood trim.
• Secure birdseed and pet food, move bird feeders away from the house, and use bulb cages to protect plants.
• L-shaped hardware cloth with 1/4-inch mesh, buried at least 6 inches deep, helps stop tunneling.
• Live traps baited with sunflower seeds or peanut butter work, but check local laws before relocating.
• Only fill burrows after confirming they are inactive, and call a professional for burrows near foundations or hardscapes.

Chipmunks may look cute, but their tunnels, stretching up to 30 feet, can damage foundations, plants, and sidewalks. A single yard can host up to 20 chipmunks, making early chipmunk removal essential.

If you’re wondering how to Get Rid of Chipmunks, the right prevention and humane control methods can help protect your yard affordably. Professional removal can cost $150 to $600, and Sandy Springs pest management professionals can help address persistent activity and prevent chipmunks from returning.

Quick Facts About Chipmunks

• Tunnels can stretch up to 30 feet
• Up to 20 chipmunks may live in one yard
• Chipmunk removal costs average $375
• Prevention is more affordable than removal
• Chipmunks may carry diseases
• Understanding behavior helps with effective control

Understanding Chipmunks and Their Habits

Chipmunks are small, striped rodents weighing around 3 ounces. They’re most common in forests, suburban yards, and city gardens. In North America, the Eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus) and the Least chipmunk are frequently seen, especially in areas like Missouri’s Ozarks.

They dig elaborate tunnels for shelter and food storage, often 20 to 30 feet long with several entrances. Chipmunks are territorial, cover about one acre each, and are most active in the morning and late afternoon. They lightly hibernate in winter and eat nuts, seeds, fruit, insects, and even pet food. Understanding these behaviors is an important part of learning how to Get Rid of Chipmunks, as knowing where they nest, feed, and travel can help you choose the right removal and prevention methods.

Understanding their habits is essential when learning how to Get Rid of Chipmunks and developing an effective long-term control strategy. Knowing where chipmunks nest, what attracts them, and how they access your yard can make removal and prevention much more effective.

How to Get Rid of Chipmunks: Identifying Problems in Your Yard

If you spot these signs, it’s time to start planning your chipmunk removal strategy to avoid more costly damage.

• Small holes (2 inches wide)
• Damaged seedlings and bulbs
• Disturbed bird feeders
• Shallow tunnels near patios or decks

Common Damage Caused by Chipmunks

• Burrowing under patios, sidewalks, and foundations
• Chewing on siding or wood trim
• Eating garden vegetables, fruits, and flowers
• Scattering unsightly holes across lawns

Health Risks Associated with Chipmunk Infestations

Chipmunks may carry diseases like plague and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, especially in large populations. While they rarely enter homes, they can still pose a threat in high numbers outdoors.

Disease	Transmission	Symptoms
Colorado Tick Fever	Tick bites	Fever, chills, headache
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever	Tick bites	Rash, fever, muscle pain
Plague	Flea bites	Swollen lymph nodes, fever

Best Chipmunk Removal Methods: How to Eliminate Chipmunks Safely

To keep your yard chipmunk-free, try a combination of natural deterrents, humane traps, and repellents:

1. Use Repellents

Commercial repellents with thiram or naphthalene are available at most hardware stores. Natural alternatives include peppermint oil, citrus peels, or cayenne pepper. These are great options for homeowners wondering how to deter chipmunks without using harsh chemicals.

2. Set Live Traps

Use small live traps with bait like sunflower seeds or peanut butter. Relocate chipmunks at least one mile away, but check local laws first about trapping and relocating wildlife.

3. Install Electronic Deterrents

Ultrasonic devices emit sounds chipmunks dislike. They’re easy to use and work best when combined with other methods.

Method	Effectiveness	Cost Range
Commercial Repellents	Moderate to High	$20 – $50
Homemade Repellents	Low to Moderate	$5 – $15
Live Trapping	High	$30 – $60
Electronic Deterrents	Low to Moderate	$40 – $100
Professional Pest Control	Very High	$200 – $600

If you’re unsure which method to choose, check your chipmunk removal cost options or look for professional chipmunk extermination services for long-term solutions.

Preventing Future Chipmunk Infestations

Prevention is one of the most effective chipmunk control strategies, especially when combined with humane deterrents.

Landscaping Tips

• Remove wood piles and dense ground cover
• Prune low-hanging branches
• Install a gravel border around your home to deter burrowing.

Secure Food Sources

• Store birdseed and pet food in sealed containers
• Move bird feeders away from the home
• Use bulb cages to protect garden plants

Install Physical Barriers

• Use L-shaped hardware cloth fences (1/4-inch mesh)
• Bury fences at least 6 inches deep to prevent tunneling

Preventive chipmunk control strategies work best when applied consistently.

Prevention Method	Effectiveness	Ease of Implementation
Removing hiding spots	High	Easy
Securing food sources	Medium	Moderate
Installing barriers	High	Difficult

Humane Removal Methods for Chipmunks

If you prefer to avoid chemicals, these humane methods work well:

• Live traps for relocation. Check local laws first. The Humane Society suggests releasing them at least 5 miles away in good habitats.
• Natural repellents: blood meal, cayenne pepper, baby powder, chestnuts, human hair
• Repellent sprays like Rodent Defense Spray (reapply after rain)
• Electronic ultrasonic systems ($20–$30 range, 900–1200 sq. ft. coverage)

Combine these humane chipmunk removal methods with landscape control and food source management for best results.

Method	Effectiveness	Duration
Live Traps	High	Immediate
Natural Repellents	Moderate	Short-term
Electronic Systems	Moderate	Long-term
Liquid Repellents	High	Short-term

Conclusion

Effective chipmunk control combines prevention, humane chipmunk removal, and consistent yard care. If you’re looking for How to Get Rid of Chipmunks, steps such as addressing active burrows, installing barriers, reducing food sources, and removing potential shelter can help protect your yard and reduce recurring activity.

Stay alert: chipmunks breed quickly and can return if conditions are ideal. Regular inspections, seasonal maintenance with professional wildlife removal services will help you maintain a chipmunk-free yard all year.

Source Links:

How To Get Rid Of Chipmunks Humanely Controlling Nuisance Chipmunks How To: Get Rid of Chipmunks How to Get Rid of Chipmunks – This Old House How to Keep Chipmunks Out of the Garden