Adios, Alvin! How to Get Rid of Chipmunks—and Keep Them Away for Good

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Sure, they’re adorable, with their nut-filled cheeks and fuzzy tails. But unlike Alvin and his band of singing brothers, chipmunks can be a menace to your property. The small, striped critters eat everything from insects to garden plants and can damage electrical wires and dig under your home.

Chipmunks mainly live in trees, shrubs, logs, and underground burrow systems. But you can also find them scampering across patios, under brush, near garbage, and close to homes.

“Chipmunks rarely damage property, but they might occasionally injure ornamental plants in the process of harvesting fruits or nuts, or they may burrow in flower beds or under sidewalks and porches,” says John Griffin, senior director of urban wildlife programs for the Humane Society.

In general, chipmunks are cute and tolerable little creatures. But if you find them wreaking havoc on your property, there are some things you can do to shoo their little tails away.

Identify an infestation

There are a few signs that these furry creatures have taken up residence on your property. If your yard suddenly has holes in several places, foundational damage, chew marks, waste trails, and stockpiles of food, then you probably have an infestation.

Chipmunks also have been known to make a mess of the garden. They will eat flower bulbs and seeds and leave nutshells behind.

Listen carefully, because you may also hear chipmunks scurrying around your property. There may be scratching noises above ceilings, behind walls, and under floors, or sharp chirping noises among chipmunks to signal danger.

Make your landscape less attractive

The natural habitat of chipmunks is in open wooded areas with trees and bushes. But your property can make a nice home, too. Chipmunks are attracted to yards that have objects they can hide under and an abundance of food sources.

“They typically burrow in the ground, so keeping the landscape simple will help to not hide their dens,” says Drew Cowley, president of Cowleys Pest Services and Little Rascals Nuisance Wildlife Removal Services, in New Jersey.

Shrubs, logs, and stumps may serve as good hiding spots for chipmunks. Clearing yard debris and ground clutter near patios, decks, and foundations can discourage chipmunks from digging under structures.

Trimming shrubbery that can provide food sources and removing rock piles and wood can also help.

Prevent access to easy food sources

Like other rodents, chipmunks often rely on humans to get their food, water, and shelter. You may be inadvertently inviting them to settle down by leaving easily accessible pet food or spilled birdseed on your property.

Bird feeders will also attract chipmunks, and Griffin recommends picking up spilled seeds and securing feeders from access. But there are seeds they don’t like.

“Chipmunks certainly will not favor thistle seed as much as they do sunflower seed, and they’re not wild about safflower either,” says Griffin. Certain birds, on the other hand, prefer those seeds.

Seal holes, close gaps

To keep chipmunks out, experts recommend sealing as many points of entry as possible, no matter how small they are.

“Close all gaps around plumbing and HVAC pipes and under doors,” says Cowley. “Don’t only think low, but high. Chipmunks love climbing gutters and ladders to access food and water.”

Caulk any holes where internet cables, air-conditioning lines, and gas lines lead to the house. Keeping the chipmunks away also means keeping a tight cap on chimneys and sealing vent lines and rain gutters with hardwire mesh. This will keep critters from building nests and prevent potential water damage.

Use repellants

Commercial repellents labeled for use against squirrels, deer, and rabbits can be effective. Taste-aversion repellents, like Thiram, can be applied to landscape plants to discourage chewing and eating.

If you’d like to go the more natural route, Griffin suggests planting bulbs like daffodils (for spring flowering), garlic, and onions.

Put up proper fencing

Chipmunks are known to be good diggers, but they are also good climbers. So, fences aren’t 100% effective, but they can work if done right.

Experts suggest installing tall fences deep in the ground. It’s a good idea to place a few chipmunk traps around the fence, using seeds and fruit as bait. Netting over the top and sides of your fence can further discourage chipmunks from climbing fences.

Set up traps

Trapping is probably the most effective method of removing chipmunks from your property. Homeowners can use snap traps, box traps, and mesh traps placed at burrow openings. Traps can be baited with peanut butter or other enticing foods.

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