Getting Rid of Chipmunks
Chipmunks may be adorable, but they can also do a real number on your garden so there's no wonder to why you may want to get rid of them. If they are constantly digging up your flowerbeds or fruits you are growing, making a complete nuisance of themselves, you will probably be fed up. Rather than killing the cute little rodents, you can take humane measures that are environmentally safe and also effective.
Like all animals in the wild, chipmunks have natural enemies. They are prey to foxes, so it would be a great idea to shop around at your local home goods store for a special chipmunk repellent. These substances are made up of granules made from the urine of the animal's natural enemy and are extremely effective. Once the chipmunk appears in your yard, it will detect the scent and become frightened. Its natural instinct, as prey, will be to run away.
Another way to scare away a chipmunk is to put up a lifelike model of an owl in your garden. These are electronic or battery-powered items that actually move their heads like a real owl, and you can hang it on your garage or on a tree. In a nutshell, they are sort of owl robots. Since chipmunks are prey for the nocturnal birds, they will run to the next yard upon spotting them.
Another green method you can use to get rid of chipmunks in your yard is to use a humane cage in which to trap them. You can find trap cages that do not kill at any home improvement store. Set it up in an area you know to be a favorite of chipmunks in your garden and place a treat or two inside to lure it. When chipmunks enter, the door closes, and you can take the cage elsewhere and free the little critters.
You can also buy a device that emits a high-pitched sound that chipmunks will find objectionable. Inquire at your local home goods store about this, and try to find one that won't disturb birds or your pets. These items use ultrasonic sounds that can reach an unbelievable distance of about 5,000 feet. However, all rodents are susceptible to being affected by the sounds, so if you have any rodent pets, you may want to reconsider this particular item as your chipmunk repeller.
Just as chipmunks dislike the scent of fox urine, they will despise a cat's urine smell as well. Therefore, if you have a cat for a pet, a good and very cost-effective way of eliminating your chipmunk problem is to apply used cat litter to your garden. This is actually not a terrible idea and can have a twofold effect: you can rid your garden of the pesky little critters and also fertilize plants that require an acidic soil all at once!
Another good method to try is to spread hot pepper wax around your garden. You can find a bottle of this organic animal repellent at your local home goods store. To save money, you may even want to try spreading ground hot pepper itself to your lawn. Who knows? It might work!
