Have you ever noticed a pesky chipmunk nibbling on your garden plants? If so, you’re not alone! Chipmunks are one of the most common garden pests, but dont let them ruin your hard work! In this article, we’ll share expert tips for keeping chipmunks away from your plants.
We’ll cover physical barriers, repellents and scent deterrents, keeping the garden clean, natural predators, planting chipmunk-resistant plants, and more.
Read on to learn how to keep those pesky chipmunks out of your garden!
Table of Contents
Short Answer
Chipmunks can be kept away from plants by making your garden or landscape unattractive or inhospitable to them.
This can be done by removing potential food sources like bird feeders, and eliminating areas of cover like piles of brush or logs.
You can also apply an animal repellent around the area to make chipmunks uncomfortable.
Finally, fencing or other barriers can be erected to keep chipmunks out.
What are Chipmunks?
Chipmunks are small rodents that are members of the squirrel family.
They can be found in North America, Europe, and Asia.
They are easily identified by their distinctive stripes and large bushy tails.
Chipmunks are omnivorous animals, meaning they eat both plants and animals.
They feed on a variety of fruits, nuts, insects, and even small birds and frogs! While they are an important part of the ecosystem, they can also be a nuisance to your garden if they decide to dig up and eat your plants and vegetables.
Fortunately, there are a few simple steps you can take to keep chipmunks away from your plants.
Physical Barriers to Keep Chipmunks Away
Physical barriers are an effective way to keep chipmunks away from your plants.
Planting thick shrubs and trees around the perimeter of your garden can create an effective physical barrier that chipmunks will not be able to cross.
This barrier will prevent the chipmunks from accessing your plants, while also providing a natural, attractive look to your garden.
Additionally, you can use fencing to further protect your plants from the chipmunks.
Make sure to use a high-quality fence with small gaps that will prevent chipmunks from squeezing through.
A fence that stands at least 3 feet tall is the best option for keeping the chipmunks out of your garden.
It’s important to check and maintain your physical barriers regularly to make sure they are effective at keeping the chipmunks away.
Repellents & Scent Deterrents
Repellents and scent deterrents are a great way to keep chipmunks away from your plants.
Repellents work by creating a physical barrier that the chipmunks cannot cross, while also emitting a strong scent that the chipmunks find unpleasant.
Common repellents and scent deterrents include cayenne pepper, garlic, and fox urine.
Cayenne pepper can be sprinkled around the perimeter of your garden or mixed with water and sprayed on your plants.
Garlic can be chopped and sprinkled around the perimeter of your garden, and fox urine can be purchased in liquid form and sprayed around the perimeter.
Another deterrent is to use a motion-sensor sprinkler, which will spray the chipmunks with water when they enter the area.
This is a great way to keep them away without having to use any chemicals.
Additionally, you can use ultrasonic sound repellents, which emit a high-frequency sound that chipmunks find unpleasant.
These devices can be placed around the perimeter of your garden and will help keep chipmunks away.
Keeping the Garden Clean
Keeping your garden clean and free of food scraps is an important part of keeping chipmunks away from plants.
Chipmunks are attracted to food sources, so it is important to remove any food scraps or fallen fruit that may be lying around the garden.
Additionally, make sure to clean up any spilled birdseed or pet food that may be in the garden.
This will help reduce the chances of chipmunks coming into the garden in search of food.
It is also important to keep the garden free of debris, such as fallen leaves and twigs, as these can provide hiding spots for chipmunks.
Finally, make sure to regularly check the garden for signs of chipmunk activity, such as burrows or holes in the ground.
If you find any, it is important to plug them up or fill them in with soil to prevent chipmunks from entering.
Natural Predators of Chipmunks
When it comes to keeping chipmunks away from your plants, one solution is to introduce their natural predators.
Natural predators of chipmunks include owls, hawks, foxes, coyotes, weasels, and snakes.
These animals can help keep chipmunks away from your garden by preying on them.
Introducing these predators to your garden can be done in a few different ways.
You can set up bird feeders and birdhouses to attract owls and hawks to your garden.
You can also create a habitat for foxes, coyotes, and weasels, which can be as simple as clearing away dead leaves and twigs in your garden.
Finally, you can introduce snakes to your garden by providing them with a safe and secure place to hide.
While the presence of these predators may initially scare away chipmunks, it is important to remember to keep them away from your plants as well.
Planting Chipmunk-Resistant Plants
Chipmunks can be a nuisance in your garden, but fortunately there are a few steps you can take to keep them away from your precious plants.
Planting dense shrubs and trees around the perimeter of your garden can create a physical barrier that chipmunks might not be able to cross.
Moreover, you can also plant chipmunk-resistant plants such as lavender, marigolds, petunias, and geraniums, that are known to deter chipmunks.
These plants have strong scents that chipmunks are not fond of.
Additionally, planting a variety of plants and vegetables in your garden will give chipmunks less of an incentive to enter, as they usually prefer to focus on one type of food source.
If you are looking for a natural way to keep chipmunks away from your garden, planting chipmunk-resistant plants is the way to go.
Other Tips to Keep Chipmunks Away
If planting dense shrubs and trees, creating physical barriers, using repellents or scent deterrents, and keeping your garden clean and free of food scraps are not enough to keep chipmunks away from your plants, there are still a few other tips worth trying.
One option is to create a chipmunk-proof fence.
If you have the space, you can create a fence made out of hardware cloth or poultry netting that is at least four feet high.
The fence should also be buried at least six inches into the ground to prevent chipmunks from digging underneath it.
Another way to keep chipmunks away from your plants is to use a motion-activated sprinkler system.
These devices are designed to spray a burst of water when they detect movement, which can startle chipmunks and other animals away.
You can also try planting deterrent plants like mustard, garlic, and peppermint around your garden.
The strong smell of these plants can help keep chipmunks away.
Additionally, you can use a slow-release animal repellent spray to help keep chipmunks away from your plants.
Finally, if you have a bird feeder in your yard, try to keep it away from the garden.
Chipmunks love to eat birdseed, so if you keep the bird feeder away from your plants, it can help reduce the number of chipmunks in your garden.
By following these tips, you can help ensure that your plants stay safe from chipmunks.
With the right measures in place, you can enjoy a beautiful and healthy garden for years to come.
Final Thoughts
Chipmunks can be a troublesome pest in any garden, but with a few simple steps, you can keep them away and protect your plants.
Planting dense shrubs and trees around the perimeter of your garden, using repellents and scent deterrents, keeping your garden clean, and planting chipmunk-resistant plants are all great ways to keep your plants safe from chipmunks.
With these expert tips, you can ensure your garden stays chipmunk-free.
So, don’t wait any longer – start taking the necessary steps to keep chipmunks away from your plants today!