How to Get Rid of Chipmunks—and Keep Them Out of Your Yard for Good

If you grew up around Alvin and the Chipmunks (whether via the Christmas song, animated TV show, or movie) you likely have a positive view of these terrestrial squirrels. The real life versions can be equally adorable—but they're also smart, quick, and resourceful. However, if you’re a homeowner, and chipmunks frequent your yard, these animals—much like the animated characters—can be troublemakers. So, here's everything you need to know about how to get rid of chipmunks from your yard—without harming them.

Why should you keep chipmunks out of your yard?

Although chipmunks may seem harmless due to their size, they can do quite a bit of damage by burrowing under your lawn, says Meg Pearson, training manager at Critter Control. “If they burrow close to your home or under your patio, their tunnels can put cracks in your cement and basement floors, while also weakening the overall structural integrity of your house and deck,” she explains. If these areas are left unchecked for extended periods of time, Pearson warns that chipmunks can cause significant damage.

To put things in perspective, chipmunk burrows can be up to 30 feet long and 3 feet deep, adds Nick Masengarb, virtual handyperson expert at Frontdoor.

Chipmunks can also make quite a mess of your garden and landscaping. In addition to digging holes in the soil, chipmunks may also chew irrigation lines and wires, eat fruits, bulbs, and young plants, and shred leaves.

Chipmunks don't stick to just the outdoors, either. “Chipmunks may enter your crawl space to make nests, where they can chew on insulation and wiring,” says Lori Johnson, president at The Grounds Guys. So, a chipmunk problem outside your home can quickly become an issue inside it, too.

Signs that you have chipmunks

If you haven’t seen chipmunks in your yard, and aren't sure if they're taking up residence, Masengarb says these are some telltale signs:

• Piles of seeds or grains
• Holes chewed in low-hanging vegetables and fruit plants
• Uprooted flower bulbs
• Small but deep holes that are clustered together
• Chewed up wiring or irrigation lines 

Why chipmunks are entering your yard or garden

If you've determined that you do, in fact, have chipmunks residing in or around your property, you may be wondering why they came in the first place. Chipmunks are attracted to yards and gardens that provide ample food, water, and shelter. “Some things you might have outdoors that entice chipmunks include bird feeders, as they contain seeds and other things that chipmunks like to eat, tall grass, and any trees that can scatter nuts, bark, and branches,” Masengarb explains.

Safe ways to get rid of chipmunks from your yard  

So, what can you do to make your property less hospitable to chipmunks? Pearson recommends starting by keeping it clear of any food sources. “Keep your yard clear of any nuts, berries, seeds, or pet food that they may be coming around to eat, and make sure any garden vegetation they may be interested in eating is completely inaccessible to them.” If the problem still persists, she says you may need to erect a fence that digs several feet into the ground to keep them away from your garden. And, if you don't want to say goodbye to your bird feeder—and the birds that come to visit—you'll just need to chipmunk-proof it. "Use feeders with protective baffles, cages, or weighted hoppers that allow birds in but keep chipmunks out," Johnson says.

Another humane method is to use substances that don’t appeal to their sense of smell. “Sprinkling different spices on your yard such as cayenne pepper, peppermint, apple cider, garlic, or even coffee grounds can get chipmunks to avoid the area,” says Masengarb.

You can also purchase ultrasonic devices, which produce a series of vibrations and sounds that are not detectable by human ears—but can be disruptive to chipmunks. Masengarb recommends placing these devices near areas where you’ve noticed the presence of chipmunks.

Chipmunks don’t like water or rain either, so if you have an irrigation system in your yard, Masengard recommends turning on the sprinklers to scare the chipmunks away.

And while you may love the gorgeous and colorful plants in your yard, there are some varieties that don’t appeal to chipmunks.

You can also use your garden plants as a protective shield, by growing plants that deter chipmunks. “Consider adding daffodils, marigold, lavender, and allium plants to your yard—and as a bonus, they’ll spruce up your garden,” Masengarb says.

In addition, Johnson provides the following three tips to get rid of chipmunks:

• Prune tree limbs. To keep chipmunks away from your house or bird feeders, trim tree limbs and shrubs at least 10 feet away from these structures.
• Seal entryways. Seal holes, even tiny ones, where HVAC and gas lines, dryer vents, cable television, and satellite cables enter your house.
• Cover downspouts. Chipmunks can clog downspouts with bedding material, causing water damage. Install wire-mesh downspout covers and clean them regularly.