How To Get Rid Of Chipmunks

how to get rid of chipmunks
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How To Get Rid Of Chipmunks

Getting rid of chipmunks on your own requires a combination of exclusion, habitat modification, and humane trapping. Because these small rodents are intelligent and persistent, success depends on addressing both the cause of the infestation and the entry points to your property. Here is how to get rid of chipmunks while balancing effectiveness with safety and legality.

Identify the Problem

Before taking action, confirm that chipmunks are the culprit:

  • Look for signs: Small burrow openings (about 2 inches wide) near foundations, walkways, or rock walls.

  • Observe behavior: Chipmunks are active during the day and often seen darting between cover.

  • Check for damage: Disturbed flower beds, chewed bulbs, gnawed bird seed containers, or seed spills around bird feeders.

Eliminate Food Sources

Chipmunks are opportunistic feeders; removing their food supply makes your property less appealing.

  • Clean up bird seed: Use catch trays or switch to seed types chipmunks dislike (such as safflower).

  • Store food properly: Keep pet food, grass seed, and bird seed in sealed containers.

  • Harvest promptly: Pick up fallen fruit, nuts, or vegetables from gardens.

  • Compost smartly: Use closed compost bins rather than open piles.

Modify Habitat

Chipmunks rely on cover for protection. Reducing shelter discourages them from nesting.

  • Trim vegetation: Cut back shrubs and ground cover near foundations.

  • Remove debris: Clear woodpiles, leaf litter, and rock piles that offer hiding spots.

  • Seal burrows: Once you’re sure they’re vacant, fill openings with soil mixed with gravel or use hardware cloth buried 8–12 inches deep.

Exclude Them from Structures

If chipmunks are entering garages, sheds, or under patios:

  • Seal gaps: Close cracks and holes with caulk, concrete, or hardware cloth (¼-inch mesh or smaller).

  • Install barriers: L-shaped footers of mesh around foundations, decks, and porches prevent burrowing.

  • Screen vents: Use metal mesh over attic or crawl space vents.

Use Traps Humanely

Trapping can be effective when done correctly.

  • Select the right trap: Small live traps such as Havahart 1020 or 0745 work well.

  • Bait effectively: Use sunflower seeds, peanut butter, or raisins as bait.

  • Place traps strategically: Near burrow entrances, along walls, or near food sources.

  • Check frequently: At least twice per day to avoid harming trapped animals.

  • Relocate carefully: Release chipmunks at least 5 miles away in wooded or brushy areas (check local wildlife regulations first, as relocation is restricted in many areas).

Repellents (Limited Effectiveness)

While repellents can provide temporary relief, they are not a long-term solution.

  • Natural deterrents: Sprays made with predator urine, garlic, or hot pepper oil can help deter chipmunks around gardens.

  • Electronic repellents: Ultrasonic devices may offer mixed results.

  • Granular repellents: Apply around foundations, patios, and garden beds for short-term deterrence.

Prevent Reinfestation

Once you’ve cleared chipmunks, keep them from coming back:

  • Maintain good sanitation and yard management.

  • Continue to inspect and seal potential burrow sites.

  • Keep bird feeders and gardens elevated and tidy.

The Best Way To Get Rid Of Chipmunks

Our professional pest control is the most effective and reliable way to get rid of chipmunks because our experts combine advanced knowledge of chipmunk biology with specialized tools, exclusion methods, and safety protocols that go beyond what most homeowners can achieve on their own. Chipmunks may seem harmless, but they can cause serious property damage and return quickly if not eliminated and excluded properly. Here’s why our professional pest control is the best solution:

Accurate Identification and Assessment

Our pest control professionals begin by confirming that chipmunks—not other rodents like mice, voles, or squirrels—are responsible for the problem. Misidentifying the pest can lead to wasted time and ineffective treatments.

  • Our professionals conduct a full inspection to locate burrow systems, entry points, nesting areas, and attractants.

  • We also evaluate structural vulnerabilities, such as gaps in foundations or deck footings, that may need sealing.

This precise assessment ensures that every aspect of the infestation is addressed rather than just the visible symptoms.

Expert Exclusion and Structural Protection

Chipmunks are persistent burrowers and climbers, making exclusion difficult without the right materials and techniques.

  • Our professionals use industrial-grade mesh, flashing, and sealants to close off entry points permanently.

  • We design custom exclusion barriers around foundations, decks, patios, and garden areas that prevent chipmunks from returning.

DIY efforts often miss hidden gaps or use materials chipmunks can easily chew through, leading to repeat infestations.

Safe and Humane Removal Techniques

While live traps are available to consumers, improper use can lead to injury to the animal or to non-target species being caught.

  • Our licensed pest control technicians know where and how to place traps strategically for maximum success.

  • We follow state wildlife regulations for relocation or humane removal, ensuring compliance with local laws.

  • In cases where trapping isn’t sufficient, our professionals have access to regulated deterrents or rodenticides that are safe, targeted, and legally applied.

This ensures the problem is handled efficiently, ethically, and without unnecessary harm to wildlife or pets.

Long-Term Prevention and Habitat Management

Our professionals don’t just remove chipmunks—we address the underlying causes of infestation.

  • We identify attractants, such as food sources or landscaping features, and recommend modifications to make your property less appealing.

  • We provide year round monitoring to ensure chipmunks and other rodents don’t return once conditions become favorable again.

This proactive, preventive approach is what sets our professional service apart from short-term DIY fixes.

Safety and Property Protection

Chipmunks may appear cute, but they can create serious hazards:

  • Underground tunneling can undermine foundations, walkways, patios, and retaining walls.

  • Chewing damage can affect wiring, insulation, or stored goods.

  • Droppings and nesting materials can attract secondary pests or harbor bacteria.

Our professionals handle these risks safely, using protective equipment and disposal protocols that prevent contamination or injury.

Guaranteed Results and Peace of Mind

We back our chipmunk removal with warranty and follow-up visits as needed. This means you’re not left guessing whether the issue has been solved.

  • Homeowners benefit from a documented service plan and our expert guidance on maintaining a chipmunk-free environment.

  • If activity recurs, re-treatment is typically covered under our service guarantee.

While DIY chipmunk control can help with minor or early infestations, our professional pest control offers comprehensive inspection and identification, permanent exclusion and habitat correction, safe, humane, and legal removal, protection against costly property damage, long-term prevention and guaranteed results.

Get Rid Of Chipmunks With Miche Pest Control

Hiring our team of professionals at Miche Pest Control is an investment in long-term protection, expertise, and peace of mind. Here’s why:

  • Personalized Service and Local Expertise: We know the specific pest pressures in the area—such as seasonal rodent activity, regional ant species, or local termite threats. Our technicians understand the environment, climate, and building types common to the area, allowing them to provide targeted, effective treatments.
  • High-Quality, Comprehensive Solutions: As a full-service provider, we doe’t just treat surface problems; we address the root causes. From inspections and prevention to exclusion and ongoing maintenance, we deliver complete, integrated pest management (IPM) programs designed to both eliminate infestations and prevent future ones.
  • Accountability and Reliability: We live and die by our reputation. We rely on trust, referrals, and repeat business, meaning we're committed to doing the job right the first time and providing exceptional customer care.
  • Faster Response Times: We respond quickly to emergencies and schedule services sooner than large, national chains. Especially when you’re dealing with urgent pest issues like rodents or wasps, that speed matters.
  • Customized Treatment Plans: We tailor our services to your property’s specific needs instead of using one-size-fits-all chemical treatments. This results in safer, more effective pest control that minimizes environmental impact and reduces unnecessary pesticide use.
  • Highly Trained, Experienced Technicians: We invest in training, certification, and continuing education for our technicians. We stay current on the latest pest biology, control techniques, and safety standards.
  • Long-Term Prevention and Value: Our focus on providing quality service means fewer callbacks, longer-lasting protection, and better value over time. Instead of repeated, temporary fixes, you get strategic solutions that protect your home or business for the long run and provide better peace of mind.

Hiring our team means you get expertise you can trust, faster service, safer and more effective treatments, and long-term results that protect both your property and your peace of mind. Contact us today!