Chipmunks are cute and furry, but they can also be quite the nuisance when they invade your property. Just ask Sarah, a homeowner in Michigan who was dealing with a chipmunk infestation in her backyard. The chipmunks were digging up her garden beds, leaving holes all over her lawn, and even getting into her garbage cans. No matter what she tried to do to get rid of them, nothing seemed to work.
If you’ve ever found yourself in a similar situation, then you understand the frustration that comes with trying to get rid of pesky chipmunks. Fortunately for Sarah and for you, there are humane ways to deter these little critters from making their home on your property.
For all the DIY handymen out there, here is a comprehensive guide on how to get rid of chipmunks humanely without causing harm or distress to these animals. We’ll look at natural repellents such as peppermint oil and garlic powder, as well as how to set up physical barriers like fences and traps. By following the tips outlined in this guide, you’ll be able to keep those pesky chipmunks away from your home once and for all!
What Are Chipmunks?
Chipmunks are cute, furry critters that can wreak havoc in your gardens and chew through wires and other things. It’s easy to get attached to them, but if they become too much of a nuisance, you’ll need to act quickly. As a handyman, I know this is easier said than done.
When I was younger, my family used to have an issue with chipmunks in our garden beds. They would dig up the soil, eat the vegetables we planted, and generally just cause mayhem. We tried to catch them using traps but it didn’t work – they were too smart! So we ended up having to find a more humane solution.
Fortunately, there are ways to get rid of chipmunks without harming them. The first step is identifying the areas where chipmunks are present. This will help you determine where you need to focus your efforts when it comes time to evicting these pesky creatures from your property. Once you know where they are coming from, you can begin implementing humane methods for getting rid of them such as sealing off entry points with mesh or using repellents like predator urine or chili pepper powder.
By following these steps and being patient, you should be able to take care of your chipmunk problem in no time. With the right approach and a little bit of effort on your part, you can ensure that both you and the chipmunk live harmoniously on your property!
Identifying The Areas Where Chipmunks Are Present
When it comes to getting rid of chipmunks, one of the first steps is identifying where they are present around your home. Chipmunks prefer to live in areas with lots of vegetation and natural cover like woodpiles, gardens, wooded areas, and along stone walls. They also hide under decks and porches, so it’s important to check these places too.
It’s also good to be aware of any food sources that may be bringing chipmunks into your yard. This could include bird feeders, pet food left out overnight, trash cans with lids that don’t close properly or other items left out in the open that can easily attract animals. If you find any of these sources on your property, make sure to remove them as soon as possible.
Once you’ve identified potential problem areas around your home and removed any food sources that may be attracting them, you can begin considering humane options for getting rid of the chipmunks without causing them harm.
Considerations For Humanely Getting Rid Of Chipmunks
When it comes to getting rid of chipmunks, humane solutions should be considered. There are several methods that can be used to assist in removing them from your property without inflicting harm or death. In this section, we’ll take a look at the considerations for humanely getting rid of chipmunks.
The first consideration is the use of repellents and other natural deterrents. Repellents can help discourage chipmunks from entering your garden or yard by emitting odors they don’t like. You can also use natural deterrents such as coyote urine, garlic, onions, and cayenne pepper around the areas where chipmunks have been seen to keep them away from those areas.
Another option is exclusion with traps and cages. Traps can help capture chipmunks without killing them and cages can be used to temporarily house chipmunks until they can be safely released elsewhere. If you’re going to use these methods, make sure you check regulations in your area before trapping or relocating animals. Here’s a list of things to remember when using traps: • Place traps near burrows or other signs of activity • Choose non-lethal traps • Bait traps with food such as peanuts • Check your traps daily • Release captive animals at least 10 miles away from their original location
Finally, habitat modification is another way to deter chipmunks from returning after removal. Removing sources of food, water and shelter around your property will make it less inviting for them to come back again. To further prevent their return, create a barrier around your property using mesh netting and bury it at least 6 inches deep so that chipmunks won’t be able to dig under it. This will help ensure that any remaining animals will stay away once they’ve been removed. From there, you can move on to creating a barrier around your property…
Create A Barrier Around Your Property
Chipmunks are persistent pests, and property owners are often at a loss for how to deal with them. An estimated 35 million chipmunks inhabit the US alone, making them particularly prevalent in certain areas. If you’re looking to get rid of chipmunks humanely, one key step is creating a barrier around your property.
You’ll want to start by sealing any gaps or holes in your home’s foundation that could be providing an entrypoint for the chipmunks. Look for any cracks or crevices bigger than ¼ inch wide and fill them with steel wool or caulk. Use metal mesh screens over vents, chimneys and other openings on both the inside and outside of your home to make sure nothing can get through.
Once you’ve sealed up any potential entrances, look around your yard for any places where chipmunks might be able to get under fences or into sheds. You can use chicken wire or hardware cloth in these areas as well as plants like marigolds that have a strong scent that deters these creatures. Finally, keep an eye out for trees near your house that provide an easy route onto your roof – trimming branches away from the building will help keep those pesky chipmunks away!
By creating a physical barrier around your property, you’ll be one step closer to humanely getting rid of chipmunks once and for all. Now it’s time to move on to removing food sources from your yard – this will help ensure those pesky critters stay away!
Remove Food Sources
Taking the bull by the horns, removing food sources is a great way to get rid of chipmunks humanely. The first step is to make sure that you don’t leave any food or garbage around your property that might attract them. This includes cleaning up after barbecues, not leaving pet food outside, and making sure all your trash cans are sealed tightly. Also, if you have fruit trees near your property, make sure to pick up any fallen fruit as quickly as possible and dispose of it away from your house.
In addition to these preventive measures, you should also consider using traps if you have an infestation of chipmunks. Traps are available in many hardware stores and can be used to capture the animals without injuring them so they can then be released into another area where they won’t bother you anymore. Just make sure to follow all of the instructions on the packaging carefully when setting up the trap so that it’s effective at catching chipmunks but also safe for them.
By taking these steps, you can eliminate food sources that are attracting chipmunks to your property and help ensure they won’t come back again soon. With no food around, you can then take measures to make your yard uninviting for future critters who may wish to set up shop there!
Make Your Yard Uninviting To Chipmunks
Homeowners are no strangers to the nuisance of chipmunks, as an estimated 18 million Americans have experienced chipmunk damage in their homes and gardens. To humanely get rid of the pesky creatures, making your yard uninviting is a great way to go.
First, start by keeping your lawn trimmed short. Chipmunks will be less likely to hide in tall grass or near ground cover plants. Second, keep birdfeeders away from your home, as they will attract seeds-loving chipmunks. Finally, fill in any holes that chipmunks might use for shelter and nesting. You can also make sure any brush piles or woodpiles are at least 20 feet away from your home’s foundation.
These steps should help discourage any unwanted visitors from staying too long in your yard. By doing so, you can make sure your property remains safe from the damages that these critters can cause without having to resort to traps or poisons that can harm them instead of removing them safely.
Use Repellents
Now that you’ve made your yard uninviting to chipmunks, it’s time to take the next step in getting rid of them. Repellents are a great way to keep chipmunks away. There are a number of repellents available on the market today and all work differently depending on where they’re used and what type of chipmunk you’re dealing with. Most repellents are applied directly to the ground or onto the plants that attract chipmunks. Some repellents contain strong-smelling oils or chemicals that can be unpleasant for chipmunks, while others use sound waves or electrical pulses as a deterrent.
When choosing a repellent, it’s important to read the instructions carefully so you understand how it works and how often it needs to be reapplied. Additionally, some repellents may not be effective in certain areas or against certain types of pests like groundhogs or rabbits. It’s also important to check your local laws before using any type of chemical-based repellent as some may be prohibited in your area.
Repellents can be an effective way to keep chipmunks away from your property, but they won’t necessarily solve the problem if there are already chipmunks living there. If that’s the case, trapping and relocating them may be necessary.
Trap And Relocate The Chipmunks
Relocating chipmunks is like playing a game of chess: you need to think ahead and plan your moves. When it comes to trapping and relocating the pesky critters, there are several ways to go about it.
First, set up a trap with food bait in areas where chipmunks have been spotted. Make sure the trap is big enough so they can’t escape once they’re inside, but not too big that other animals end up caught in it. Choose traps that are humane and don’t harm the creatures in any way. Once the chipmunk is caught, release them at least 10 miles away from your home so they won’t come back.
Second, if you’d rather not use a trap, you can try spraying repellents around your property—just make sure to keep pets and kids away from them as some of these repellents can be toxic. You could also try planting certain plants that act as natural repellents like marigolds or lemongrass.
No matter what method you choose for relocation, always ensure you do so safely and humanely! Carefully transport chipmunks to a new area without causing them any distress. It’s important to remember that relocated chipmunks may still find their way back if not released far enough away from their original habitat—so make sure you take extra precautions when relocating them. With careful planning, thoughtfulness, and patience, you can get rid of these critters humanely without much fuss.
Stop Feeding Wildlife
Finally, we come to the ninth and final step in getting rid of chipmunks humanely: stop feeding wildlife. It’s like a game of whack-a-mole – if you don’t cut off the food source, they’ll keep coming back! With all the time and effort you’ve spent so far, this step is an absolute must.
This step is incredibly important, because if you’re still providing food sources for chipmunks and other critters, they’re not going to leave anytime soon. No matter how many traps you set or repellents you use, it’s all for naught if the chipmunks can just come back for more food. So it’s imperative that you take steps to eliminate any potential food sources from your home.
What does this mean? Well, it means no more leaving out birdseed or pet food on your porch; no more leaving produce on counters or out in the open; and no more leaving crumbs around your kitchen or dining room area. Chipmunks might be cute to look at, but they can also cause a lot of damage – so cutting off their food supply is essential for keeping them away long-term.
Install A Fence Or Wall
It’s time to put the power of a wall between you and those pesky chipmunks. Installing a fence or wall is an effective way to keep them away for good! Like a knight with their mighty shield, constructing one of these barriers can protect your property from unwanted intruders. Let’s explore the steps required to build this barrier:
First, decide what kind of fence or wall works best for your location and budget. A wire mesh fence will be relatively easy and inexpensive to install, while a concrete block wall may require more time and money.
Second, measure the area you want to enclose and purchase enough materials accordingly. You may need tools such as a post hole digger, shovel, level, drill, saw, hammer, etc., so make sure you have all the necessary items on hand.
Thirdly, consider getting professional help if you’re not comfortable installing it yourself – this could save you time as well as potential headaches down the road. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your local handyman for assistance if needed! All in all, building a fence or wall is an effective way to keep chipmunks off your property for good.
Seek Professional Help
If you have exhausted all your options and chipmunk infestation continues, it may be time to seek professional help. It’s like having a handyman come over and set up a whole new defense system against these pesky critters. Picture this – they’ll arrive with some serious tools, ready to take the fight to the chipmunks. Here are three ways they can help:
• Exclusion: Professional wildlife specialists can install barriers that will keep the chipmunks out of your yard or garden. These include physical fences and walls, as well as netting and other exclusion materials.
• Deterrents: Through the use of sound, taste, smell or motion-triggered devices, they can make your property less attractive to chipmunks. This might include setting up ultrasonic repellers or sprinkling deterrent granules around your yard.
• Traps: Trapping is one way to get rid of individual chipmunks without using poison-free bait. The pro will set these live traps in places where the critters are likely to enter or find food sources. Once trapped, they can be taken far away from residential dwellings and released into natural habitat areas.
So if you’re looking for a long-term solution for getting rid of chipmunks humanely, consider reaching out to a professional wildlife specialist who can give you the best advice on how to keep them away from your property for good! Now let’s move on to the next step – using poison-free bait!
Use Poison-Free Bait
When it comes to getting rid of chipmunks, using a poison-free bait is an effective and humane solution. According to recent studies, 70 percent of homeowners have seen success with this method. So if you’re looking for a way to keep those pesky critters away without hurting them, here’s what you need to do:
First, set up a trap using bait such as sunflower seeds and peanut butter. Place the bait inside the trap and cover it with some sort of cloth or towel so the chipmunk can enter without feeling threatened. Once they enter, the door will close behind them and they’ll be trapped safely inside.
Next, once you’ve caught a chipmunk in your trap, take it far away from your home – at least five miles – and release it into an area where there are plenty of food sources. Be sure to avoid releasing them into someone else’s yard or near any roads or highways!
To ensure long-term success in keeping chipmunks away from your property, here are four additional steps you should take: 1) Eliminate any potential nesting sites on your property; 2) Trim back overhanging tree branches; 3) Keep pet food indoors; 4) And seal up any cracks or crevices around the exterior of your home where they may be entering.
By following these steps and utilizing natural predators like hawks, owls, and cats when available, you can keep those bothersome critters at bay without causing harm to them.
Utilize Natural Predators
Finally, the last resort to get rid of chipmunks is to utilize natural predators. Like a warrior wielding his shield and sword, these predators will protect your home and yard from any pesky chipmunks. It’s like having an army of bodyguards surrounding your property!
Using natural predators such as cats, snakes or owls is a great way to keep unwanted pests away without using any chemicals or traps. You don’t have to worry about poisoning or killing off any animals; you’re just boosting their natural instinct to hunt. And if you have outdoor pets, you can make sure they are safe by putting up a fence that can help keep them separated from the predators while they’re outside.
This method may take some time and effort, but it’s well worth it in the long run to ensure your home and yard remain free of chipmunks. Furthermore, this method helps maintain balance in the ecosystem by allowing nature to work its magic!
So if you’re looking for a humane way to get rid of chipmunks, look no further than utilizing natural predators. It’s a great way to keep your home and yard safe without taking away from nature’s beauty. Next up, let’s look at how we can seal cracks and openings around our homes that could be letting chipmunks into our yards…
Seal Cracks And Openings
When it comes to chipmunks, sealing cracks and openings is key. It’s the last line of defense in keeping these pesky critters from taking up residence in your home. After all, prevention is better than cure, as they say!
Sealing up any and all potential entry points for chipmunks is fairly straightforward. Start with the exterior walls of your house: check for any holes or crevices that are large enough for a chipmunk to squeeze through. If you find any, fill them with steel wool and caulk. Don’t forget to check around doorways, windowsills, vents, and other exterior openings where a chipmunk could wiggle their way inside.
Once that’s done, turn your attention to the yard. Make sure there are no gaps between fences or walls that could give a chipmunk access to your property. Trim branches away from the roofline too – this will help keep them out as well as reduce their ability to use those areas as pathways. Taking these steps now will save you a lot of time and effort down the road when it comes to preventing an infestation of chipmunks in your home. Time to put on your detective hat and monitor the situation – if you notice any signs that a chipmunk has made its way inside, take action immediately!
Monitor For Further Signs Of Chipmunks
Once you have sealed any cracks and openings in your home, it’s time to monitor for further signs of chipmunks. This way, you can be sure that the pests are no longer living in or around your property. To do this, keep an eye out for any fresh droppings, tracks or burrows near your house. Additionally, listen for strange noises coming from the walls or attic. These could be signs that there are still some chipmunks lurking around!
In order to make sure they don’t come back again, it’s important to take preventive measures. Make sure all food sources have been eliminated and that the perimeter is well-maintained with no easy access points for the critters. Also, regularly check inside your home and around the yard for potential entrances and seal them off if needed.
It’s also wise to regularly inspect your garden and flowerbeds for signs of damage caused by these little critters. If you see any evidence of their presence, take steps immediately to get rid of chipmunks humanely so they won’t be a nuisance anymore!
Conclusion
Chipmunks can be pesky little critters, but with a bit of effort and patience, they can be humanely removed from your property. And while it may seem like an overwhelming task, the key is to use a combination of tactics to create an environment where chipmunks don’t feel welcome.
By creating barriers around your property and removing food sources that could attract chipmunks, you’re setting the stage for success. Additionally, utilizing natural predators, such as owls or foxes, can help to keep chipmunk numbers in check. Finally, sealing up any cracks or openings around your home will also help prevent these rodents from entering your space.
Ultimately, by taking these steps, you’ll create an environment that encourages chipmunks to look elsewhere for food and shelter—and this is the best way to get rid of them in a humane manner. Remember: when it comes to getting rid of chipmunks, timing is everything. So start early and take action before they become too comfortable on your property!