Are you tired of seeing pesky chipmunks running around your home? If so, youre not alone.
Chipmunks are small, adorable animals, but they can quickly become a burden if they decide to make your property their home.
In this article, well cover what chipmunks are, what attracts them to your house, and how to discourage them from coming back.
Well also go over practical solutions to keep them away, such as cleaning up your property, trimming back vegetation, and securing food sources.
If youre ready to learn how to keep chipmunks away from your home, lets get started!
Table of Contents
Short Answer
Chipmunks are attracted to yards and gardens that provide them with plenty of food and shelter.
This could include birdseed, pet food, and nuts, as well as areas of dense vegetation or woodpiles that provide protection from predators.
They also may be attracted to any food or water sources you have near your home, such as a compost pile, outdoor pet dishes, or birdbaths.
What Are Chipmunks?
Chipmunks are small, furry mammals that belong to the family Sciuridae.
They are native to North America, Europe, and Asia, and are found in a variety of habitats, from woodlands to meadows and suburban gardens.
Chipmunks have reddish-brown fur with white stripes running down their backs and along their sides.
They typically measure between 6 and 8 inches in length and have long, bushy tails.
These adorable animals are known for their curiosity and boldness, which often leads them into trouble.
Chipmunks are omnivorous creatures, meaning they eat both plants and animals.
Their diet consists mainly of seeds, nuts, fruits, insects, and small invertebrates.
They also have a tendency to store food in their cheek pouches for later consumption.
In the wild, chipmunks can be seen foraging for food and collecting seeds for their winter stores.
Chipmunks are solitary creatures, and each one tends to stake out its own territory.
They are active during the day and make their dens in burrows, logs, or stumps.
Chipmunks are also known for their vocalizations, which range from high-pitched chirps and trills to low grunts.
In urban and suburban areas, chipmunks have become accustomed to humans and are often seen near homes and gardens.
This is because these areas provide plenty of food sources and shelter for chipmunks, making them a tempting option for these curious creatures.
What Attracts Chipmunks To Your House?
Chipmunks are naturally curious creatures, which can be both a blessing and a curse when it comes to spotting them around your home.
While they may be cute and entertaining to watch, they can also be a nuisance if they start to make their home in your garden or lawn.
The key to keeping chipmunks away from your home is understanding what attracts them in the first place.
The most common factor that attracts chipmunks to your house is food.
Chipmunks are opportunistic eaters, so if there is a source of food near your property, they will be sure to find it.
This could be anything from bird feeders, pet food, gardens, compost piles, or even garbage cans.
Chipmunks are also drawn to places with plenty of shelter, such as wood piles, decks, and sheds.
As chipmunks are small animals, they need plenty of cover to feel safe, so the more shelter available, the more likely they are to take up residence near your home.
Finally, chipmunks are also attracted to areas with plenty of vegetation.
Plants provide a great source of food and shelter for chipmunks, so if you have plenty of shrubs, trees, and other vegetation in your yard, then it is likely you will find chipmunks taking advantage of the resources available.
Now that you know what attracts chipmunks to your house, it is important to take the necessary steps to keep them away.
The most effective way to do this is to make sure any food sources are covered up and inaccessible.
This includes ensuring bird feeders are properly secured, pet food is stored away, and garbage cans are covered.
Additionally, it is important to clean up any debris or clutter that could offer chipmunks shelter.
Finally, it is a good idea to trim back any vegetation that could provide chipmunks with a hiding spot.
By taking the necessary steps to make your home less attractive to chipmunks, you can help to ensure they stay away.
How To Discourage Chipmunks From Coming To Your House
Chipmunks are curious and bold creatures and can quickly become a nuisance if they make their way into your home.
Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to discourage them from entering.
Firstly, you should take steps to make sure that your house is not an attractive destination for chipmunks.
This means removing any food sources that may be drawing them in.
This includes bird feeders, pet food, compost piles, and any other sources of food.
Additionally, you should make sure that garbage cans are tightly sealed and that any trimmings from your garden are cleared away.
Secondly, you should take steps to reduce the amount of shelter available to chipmunks.
This includes trimming back vegetation around your house, removing wood piles and debris, and keeping sheds, decks, and other areas clean and free of potential nesting sites.
Finally, there are several natural deterrents that you can use to discourage chipmunks from coming to your house.
These include spraying a mixture of water and vinegar around the perimeter of your house, setting up motion-activated lights, and using sonic repellents.
By taking these steps, you can reduce the chances of chipmunks making their way into your home.
However, if you do notice an influx of chipmunks, it is best to contact a professional pest control service to safely and effectively remove them from your property.
Cleaning Up Your Property
When it comes to keeping chipmunks away from your home, one of the most important things you can do is keep your property clean and tidy.
Chipmunks are attracted to any food source they can find, whether its bird feeders, pet food, gardens, compost piles, or even garbage cans.
To discourage them from coming near your home, you should make sure these food sources are securely covered or disposed of properly.
Additionally, you should clean up any debris, such as fallen fruits or nuts, that may have accumulated near your home.
You should also trim back any vegetation that could potentially provide shelter for chipmunks, such as overgrown shrubs or tall grasses.
By keeping your property clean and tidy, you can help make sure that chipmunks arent attracted to your home.
Trimming Back Vegetation
When it comes to keeping chipmunks away from your home, trimming back vegetation is one of the most effective strategies.
By trimming back overgrown shrubs and trees, you can reduce the amount of hiding spots chipmunks have access to and make it more difficult for them to establish a den or burrow.
Additionally, chipmunks are attracted to gardens and other sources of food, so trimming back vegetation can also reduce the likelihood of the chipmunks finding something to eat.
When trimming back vegetation, it is important to remember that chipmunks need access to food, shelter, and water.
Make sure to leave some vegetation untouched so that the chipmunks can still find some areas to hide and search for food.
Additionally, trimming back vegetation should not be done too drastically as this can cause the chipmunks to become stressed and relocate to a different area.
Finally, keep in mind that chipmunks can climb trees, so it is important to trim back trees to a height that is too high for the chipmunks to reach.
This is especially important if you have any fruit trees on your property, as chipmunks will be drawn to them for the food.
By trimming back the tree to a height that is too high for the chipmunks to reach, you can effectively keep them away from your fruit trees.
Securing Food Sources
When it comes to chipmunks, the saying where theres food, theres a chipmunk is true! Chipmunks are always on the lookout for food sources, and if they can find one, theyll be sure to take advantage of it.
Common food sources for chipmunks include bird feeders, pet food, gardens, compost piles, and even garbage cans.
To keep chipmunks away from these areas, make sure to properly secure food sources.
Bird feeders and pet food should be kept away from outdoor areas, and stored indoors when not in use.
Garbage cans should be securely covered, and compost piles should be kept away from areas where chipmunks can access them.
If chipmunks still find their way to your food sources, you can also try using repellent sprays or natural deterrents to keep them away.
Other Solutions To Keep Chipmunks Away
In addition to keeping food sources covered and trimming back vegetation, there are a few other solutions to keep chipmunks away.
One of the best methods is to create a physical barrier around your property or garden.
This could be as simple as placing a fence around your garden or a mesh netting over your deck or wood piles.
Chipmunks are great climbers, so make sure to use a fence that is at least two feet tall.
Another solution is to use a repellent.
There are a variety of repellents available on the market, both natural and chemical-based.
Natural repellents such as garlic, peppermint, and cayenne pepper can be used in areas where chipmunks are active.
Chemical-based repellents, such as predator urine or a commercial chipmunk repellent, should be used with caution and only in areas where pets and children are not present.
In addition, you can also use a live animal trap.
This is a humane way to catch and release chipmunks away from your property.
Make sure to check your local regulations for trapping regulations and always follow the instructions when setting and releasing the animal.
Finally, you can also use ultrasonic sound repellers.
These devices emit a high-frequency noise that can be unpleasant to chipmunks and other small animals.
It is important to note that these devices may not be effective against all chipmunks and other animals, so it is important to test them out before relying on them as a long-term solution.
Final Thoughts
Chipmunks may be cute, but they can quickly become a nuisance if they find their way into your home.
By understanding what attracts them and taking proactive steps like covering food sources, cleaning up debris, and trimming back vegetation, you can help keep chipmunks away.
Don’t let these little critters take over – take the necessary steps today to protect your property from chipmunks.