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Chipmunks are small, adorable rodents that are native to North America. They belong to the squirrel family and are known for their brownish striped fur coats.
But, for homeowners and gardeners, these little critters may cause problems. Chipmunks have a voracious appetite for fruits, nuts, and vegetables – all of which you might be growing in your backyard.
Keep Chipmunks Away with Coffee Grounds
So, the good news is that old coffee grounds are an excellent natural solution for keeping many types of animals away from your garden. Wild animals have a keen sense of smell. The pungent smell of coffee can effectively deter them from entering your yard.
These tips and ideas are a natural way to protect your gardens, orchards and flowers. While many people love the smell of coffee, most animals do not, so leftover grounds are a great natural way to repel them.
Leftover coffee ground have been used as an effective pest repellent for many years, and there are discussions that suggest that they can be effective against chipmunks as well.
Simply sprinkle old used coffee grounds around your garden or any areas where you’ve noticed chipmunk or squirrel activity. Coffee grounds work by masking odors that attract rodents, making them less likely to investigate further.
But, first of all let’s find more about chipmunks.
What are Chipmunks?
While chipmunks may look cute and harmless while out in the woods, they can quickly become a nuisance in your yard or garden.
These little creatures are quite active during the day and spend most of their time gathering food for winter hibernation.
Chipmunks Favorite Foods
Chippies love seeds, veggies, fruits and nuts. Their favorite fruits and veggies are apples, pears, carrots, sweet potatoes and tomatoes along with all types of nuts, seeds and berries!
Their berry list includes: raspberries, blueberries, blackberries and strawberries. The low plant type of strawberries make them within easy reach for chipmunks.
Chipmunks also love sunflower seeds and tulip bulbs. They will even get into your flower pots so keep an eye out for them there, too! Learn how to protect your fall flower bulbs from chipmunks!
Furthermore, chipmunks have sharp teeth that can easily gnaw through things like bird feeders as they are looking for seeds.
How to Use Coffee Grounds for Pest Control
The best way to use coffee grounds for pest control is by spreading them around your garden or areas where you’ve spotted chipmunk activity. Sprinkle used coffee grounds around the perimeter of your garden beds or near plants that are most vulnerable to chipmunk damage.
Quick tip: even you are not a coffee drinker, you can still use coffee grounds to keep chipmunks away. Just go to your local coffee shop and ask if they have any leftover old coffee grounds. You should have be able to get a near endless supply!
Another way to use coffee grounds for pest control is by creating a spray. Mix one part water with one part brewed coffee and add a few drops of dish soap. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and apply it to areas where you want to deter chipmunks from visiting, such as your flower beds or vegetable garden. Do not spray on your plants but just on the ground around the plant perimeter.
If you choose to use this method, make sure to refresh the coffee grounds frequently as the scent will eventually dissipate over time especially after periods of heavy rain or watering.
It is important to note that while coffee grounds may work for some individuals, it may not be the best solution for everyone. Depending on the severity of the infestation, other methods such as live trapping and fencing may need to be considered.
special note on controlling chipmunks
It’s important to note that while coffee grounds can be effective in repelling chipmunks, they should not be relied upon solely as the solution. It’s still crucial to keep food sources away from these pesky critters by storing birdseed and pet food in sealed containers and picking up fallen fruit from trees regularly.
By combining these efforts with the use of coffee grounds, you can create an effective natural pest control solution for your home and garden.
Coffee Grounds Characteristics
Along with helping repel chipmunks from your garden, coffee grounds are also an effective fertilizer for some plants and can help improve soil quality over time. This is an added bonus to using old coffee grounds around your plants, shrubs and gardens as a chipmunk deterrent.
The acidity level in coffee grounds is ideal for certain plants such as azaleas, rhododendrons, and blueberries. However, it is important to note that too much coffee grounds can raise the acidity level too high and harm other plants. Here is a list of plants and vegetables that like a more acidic soil pH.
Additional Benefits of Using Coffee Grounds
In addition to deterring chipmunks and other rodents, coffee grounds can provide nutrients to your garden as an eco-friendly solution for waste reduction. Instead of throwing away used coffee grounds, repurpose them in your garden to promote healthy plant growth while keeping unwanted critters at bay.
Not only do coffee grounds work as a natural repellent, but they also provide nutrients to the soil. Coffee is rich in nitrogen, which is an essential component for plant growth.
When added to the soil, coffee grounds can help improve soil quality by increasing soil acidity and soil tilth from the additional organic matter. Add a thin layer of coffee grounds around acid loving plants and also to your lawn to act an a mulch.
Just be careful as coffee grounds can compact around your plants and keep out other nutrients. Just keep a sensible balance.
Reusing old coffee grounds is an eco-friendly solution since you’re repurposing something that would typically end up in the trash. Also, consider adding coffee grounds to your compost pile as this will eventually go back into your garden soil to offer additional nutrients.
Alternatives to Coffee Grounds
Luckily there are several natural solutions to keep chipmunks at bay without harming them. In addition to trying coffee grounds, another option is to use various plants such as daffodils or marigolds around your garden perimeter as chipmunks dislike the smell of these flowers.
Another option is to install motion-activated sprinklers that will spray water at any animal who comes too close.And, if you need something fast for squirrels, chipmunks and other small rodents, try these safe mint deterrent pouches that are said to work in the garden, attics and car, too.
You will need to determine the best option for you situation. Natural methods are usually the best way to begin instead of poisons or traps. Hopefully, you can safely discourage chipmunks from entering your property while also respecting their place in nature.
Hot peppers and chili powders
Another alternative to coffee grounds is using hot peppers, chili powder, red pepper flakes or powder. These contains capsaicin, which gives it its signature spicy taste and also acts as a natural repellent for many animals, including chipmunks.
Sprinkle cayenne pepper around the base of plants can also be helpful. Or, make a spray and apply it to areas where chipmunks have been spotted. You may have to reapply the spice after a heavy rain as the scent will probably wash away.
In addition to hot peppery type spices also consider trying apple cidervinegar, peppermint oil. Just make sure to spray the ground around the plants and not the plants themselves as the spray may damage the foliage.
Small Wire Barrier
Another great tip for bushes, shrubs, or bulbs is to put small square wire around each plant. You can even bury the wire to make a physical barrier. This type of barrier is also helpful for other types of small rodents.Chicken wire has fairly large openings that chipmunks can get through so that may not work too well.
plants that chipmunks do not like
Lastly, to go the extra mile, consider planting certain herbs and flowers that are known to naturally deter little critters like chipmunks. Mint, lavender, marigolds and garlic are all great options as they all share the quality of having a strong odor.
Due to the strong smell, each of these plants offer some provide protection against unwanted visitors. . Adding a few plants might be helpful without resorting to harmful chemicals!
It is helpful having extra ideas to keep the cute but pesky chipmunks at bay!
Predator Urine:
Predator urine is a natural deterrent that can help keep unwanted visitors out of your yard. The theory behind it is that the scent of predator urine will make animals think there could be a threat nearby, causing them to stay away. This method is often used by hunters looking to attract game or keep other predators from their kill.
While there are many different types of predator urine available on the market; coyote urine is one of the most popular. Coyote urine is helpful in deterring small mammals like chipmunks. It’s important to note that predator urine needs to be reapplied regularly after rain. Moisture, rain and other weather conditions can quickly wash away the scent.
trapping and Professional Help
Ultimately, if you are dealing with a persistent chipmunk problem and natural solutions are not working for you, the best solution may be the simply live trap the chipmunks and relocate them to a nearby park, or forest.
If that doesn’t work then it may be necessary to seek the help of pest control professionals. They can provide more effective solutions that will ensure your home and property remain free of unwanted pests without causing harm to other wildlife or the ecosystem.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, while there are natural solutions available to keep chipmunks and other small rodents at bay; it is important to understand that they may not always be foolproof.
While these methods can be effective in deterring chipmunks from your property, they are not guaranteed to work 100% of the time.
So, always keep a close eye on your garden plants to make sure to keep ahead of all pest problems.
FAQs
How to Keep Chipmunks Away with Natural Coffee Grounds ? ›
Coffee grounds are effective at repelling squirrels and chipmunks, as they don't like the smell. Try sprinkling used coffee grounds around the border of your garden to keep your crops and flowers safe! Add a few drops of water to the ground to secure the grinds in place and help heighten the smell.
Does coffee grounds repel chipmunks? ›To keep the rodents out of your yard for long periods of time, Schoenberg recommends sprinkling deterrents like hot cayenne, garlic, apple cider, peppermint, or coffee grounds around your plants and gardens. "Coffee grounds are particularly good around acid-loving plants, so it does double duty," she adds.
How do you get rid of chipmunks with coffee grounds? ›All you have to do is sprinkle them on the ground, and they can help deter these rodents. Since most rodents are close to the ground, sprinkling coffee on it will help keep them away. You can also sprinkle the coffee grounds around your garden and in between the plants which attract chipmunks.
What is the best homemade chipmunk repellent? ›Common chipmunk repellents are pureed garlic, hot peppers, or a combination of both. Steep the pureed garlic and hot peppers in 1 cup (240 mL.) of hot, soapy water until the water is cool.
What smell do chipmunks hate the most? ›Chipmunks don't like pepper, garlic or mint. Sprinkle cayenne pepper and garlic into garden beds and pots, repeating every few days in hot, humid weather.
Does ground coffee deter squirrels? ›Squirrels are fun to watch in the yard, but they can really wreak havoc in the garden. That's why many people are in search of a way to keep squirrels out of the garden. Coffee grounds are a simple solution to this problem because squirrels are naturally repelled by their scent.
What will make chipmunks go away? ›Remove dead tree stumps, rock piles and brush near the house, garage or other buildings. Plant seeds and bulbs beneath a wire or plastic screen. Install L-shaped footers (mesh barriers) to keep chipmunks from burrowing under foundations, sidewalks and porches. Place bird feeders at least 15 feet away from your home.
Is there a natural way to get rid of chipmunks? ›Mothballs act as a natural repellent. Toss them next to your home's foundation, in your garden and even around chipmunk holes. Or ask your hairdresser for clippings and spread them around your garden beds.
How do you get rid of chipmunks fast? ›Trapping. Occasionally, the only effective humane chipmunk control method is to trap and remove them from the property. Most experts suggest using a single-door trap set up along chipmunks' travel routes. With a little peanut butter spread on the trigger plant, these traps can be effective at containing smaller pests.
What can I put down a chipmunk hole to get rid of them? ›Use mothballs and other deterrants.
Place mothballs around the foundation of your house and in any known chipmunk holes. This will not kill the critters, but they'll begin to notice the neighborhood isn't very friendly. Anther helpful deterrant is bloodmeal, which you can sprinkle around.
What is the best deterrent for squirrels and chipmunks? ›
Apply Cayenne Pepper or Other Repellent
If you want to know how to keep chipmunks out of your garden and keep squirrels from digging up your bulbs, try cayenne pepper. Available at almost any grocery store, finely ground cayenne pepper can spice up your food and backyard.
Scents like white pepper, black pepper, and garlic are naturally unpleasant to a squirrel. The same goes for sweet smells such as peppermint. Try spraying your plants and flowers with water and then sprinkling on pepper or peppermint oil to deter squirrels.
What smell deters squirrels and chipmunks? ›Tangy and sweet smells can help deter squirrels, as they aren't fond of these. Scents of white pepper and garlic powder are also used to repel squirrels. Rodents are also repulsed by the scent of pepper.
What is the chipmunks natural enemy? ›Chipmunks eat a variety of foods like bird eggs, mushrooms, plants, bulbs and seeds, nuts and more. Predators of chipmunks include hawks, owls, snakes, domestic cats, raccoons, foxes and more.
What are chipmunks afraid of? ›Add some spice: Sprinkling cayenne, chili powder or other hot, intense spices around your garden is a non-toxic way to discourage chipmunks from hanging around. Gardeners also report success deterring chipmunks with a generous sprinkling of medicated powder.
Will Irish Spring soap keep chipmunks away? ›Will Irish Spring Seriously Repel Chipmunks? Yes, it sure will, at least some of the time. As it turns out, the fragrance of common, Irish Spring bar soap appears to be highly repellent to chipmunks and many other mammals besides.
What animals do coffee grounds keep away? ›Coffee Grounds to Deter Pests
Coffee grounds are commonly used to keep animals including slugs, snails, rabbits and fire ants from eating plants in the garden, and to keep cats from treating garden beds like litter boxes.
They are effective at deterring mosquitos, fruit flies and beetles, and they may help keep other pests away too ( 8 , 9 ). To use coffee grounds as an insect and pest repellent, simply set out bowls of grounds or sprinkle them around outdoor seating areas.
Do coffee grounds attract mice? ›Do Used Coffee Grounds Keep Rodents Away? The answer to this question is yes, use coffee grounds as a natural rodent repellent. The coffee's bitter compounds are unpleasant to rats and mice. They will avoid areas where there is a coffee scent or use.
Does baking soda repel chipmunks? ›Can You Use Baking Soda to Get Rid of Chipmunks? Some people even use baking soda for chipmunk repellent. Unfortunately, when it comes to baking soda, chipmunks just don't seem to view it as much of a deterrent for staying out of your garden.
What brings chipmunks to your yard? ›
Chipmunks are ground feeders and are attracted to seeds spilled from bird feeders. To help keep them away from bird feeders: Regularly clean up spilled seeds. Choose seeds to which chipmunks (and squirrels) are not attracted, such as thistle (they love sunflower seeds, however).
Does human urine repel chipmunks? ›The strong smell of urine will deter the chipmunks from hanging around your property. Humans usually find the smell of fox urine unpleasant as well, but it can also deter raccoons on your property, as well as squirrels, skunks, and other small rodents.
Does cinnamon get rid of chipmunks? ›Herbs That Repel Chipmunks
Some herbs are natural repellents to a chipmunk's olfactory senses. You can sprinkle some spices, like cinnamon and cayenne, around your yard and garden to repel chipmunks.
You can also make your chipmunk repellent using 3 ounces of Epsom salt and one teaspoon of Lysol mixed with one gallon of water. It is usually as effective as commercial products for chipmunk control. While using chipmunk repellents, you must avoid placing them anywhere close to kids or close to edibles.
Will aluminum foil deter chipmunks? ›Wrap the bottom of the tree trunks with aluminum foil if you notice chipmunks are climbing up trees to seek refuge. The texture of the aluminum foil will discourage them from going up trees to escape and make them less prone to visit your garden as a shelter.
What animals do chipmunks hate? ›Chipmunks are afraid of cats and dogs — both of which are viewed as predators, according to Hyaenidae.
What happens if you fill a chipmunk hole? ›It's important to know that filling the holes won't keep chipmunks away for good, however, and they'll likely continue to make new holes nearby to access their burrows. To keep chipmunks out more permanently, try planting things they dislike, using a gravel border, or fencing in your yard.
How many chipmunks live in a hole? ›Only a single chipmunk lives in a burrow system for most of the year. Chipmunks are very defensive of their burrow sites and will engage in aggressive behavior if an intruder arrives. Chipmunks are not social animals, but they can live together in the form of a colony.
Will red pepper flakes keep chipmunks away? ›Chipmunk Deterrent: Dollar store red pepper flakes grind real fine, put back in container, sprinkle around potted flowers to detour chipmunks. It works and doesn't hurt the flowers.
Does vinegar scare squirrels? ›The acetic acid in the vinegar has a strong and unpleasant odor which can repel squirrels from your yard or garden. You can use either white vinegar or apple cider vinegar; make sure to dilute it with water before spraying it around areas where squirrels are known to visit.
Do chipmunks hate mothballs? ›
Moth balls are commonly used to repel insects, but did you know that they can also keep chipmunks away? Chipmunks are attracted to the smell of moth balls, but they will avoid contact with them. You can place moth balls around the perimeter of your yard to keep chipmunks from entering.
Do chipmunks and squirrels like coffee grounds? ›Coffee grounds are effective at repelling squirrels and chipmunks, as they don't like the smell. Try sprinkling used coffee grounds around the border of your garden to keep your crops and flowers safe!
What is the best homemade squirrel repellent? ›Try sprinkling cayenne pepper, ground chili peppers, or pepper flakes around your plants when they are ready to bloom. Peppers have “capsaicin” which squirrels hate, so it's a natural squirrel deterrent. Or, make a pepper spray; you can mix dried pepper with apple cider vinegar.
What smell keeps mice and chipmunks away? ›Peppermint Oil
These rodents cannot stand this oil's robust and minty smell, so a few drops around your home can go a long way in keeping them away. You can also use a diffuser to spread the peppermint oil around your home or apply it directly to areas where you've seen mice or rats.
It kept the rabbits away, too. Bracikowski said the dryer sheets works for squirrels and mice as well. In his summer home, he's going to place sheets by vents and doors to discourage the rodents. In the beginning, he added new dryer sheets to the bamboo sticks every week, then added sheets less frequently.
Does Pine Sol keep squirrels away? ›Some of the other common rodents include squirrels, hamsters, gophers, and others. Does Pine Sol deter rodents? As will most cleaners, Pine-Sol contains properties that may deter rodents and other types of pests; however, this is not a viable solution as a pest control measure.
What time of day are chipmunks active? ›Chipmunks are most active during early mornings and late afternoons.
Are chipmunks afraid of dogs? ›While chipmunks are cute and approachable, they can bite. Chipmunks are also afraid of dogs.
Do wind chimes scare chipmunks? ›Scare tactics: Noisy wind chimes or fluttering garden flags may frighten away chipmunks, which are easily spooked by sound and motion.
Do wind chimes deter chipmunks? ›Position reflective tape and wind chimes near your fake owl to make it more intimidating and discourage brave chipmunks from getting too close.
Why put soap in your yard? ›
It allows us to preserve beneficial insects in the garden. It also means that not every insect will be bothered by soap. Small, soft-bodied insects are the best candidates for management with soapy water. Aphids, whiteflies, thrips, and mites are all good candidates for soapy water sprays.
What deters chipmunks from digging? ›Add some spice: Sprinkling cayenne, chili powder or other hot, intense spices around your garden is a non-toxic way to discourage chipmunks from hanging around. Gardeners also report success deterring chipmunks with a generous sprinkling of medicated powder.
Should you fill in chipmunk holes? ›It's important to know that filling the holes won't keep chipmunks away for good, however, and they'll likely continue to make new holes nearby to access their burrows. To keep chipmunks out more permanently, try planting things they dislike, using a gravel border, or fencing in your yard.
What is a natural chipmunk and squirrel repellent? ›If you want to know how to keep chipmunks out of your garden and keep squirrels from digging up your bulbs, try cayenne pepper. Available at almost any grocery store, finely ground cayenne pepper can spice up your food and backyard. Sprinkle the soil with cayenne pepper and you'll have no more dug-up plants.
Does Irish Spring soap keep chipmunks away? ›Will Irish Spring Seriously Repel Chipmunks? Yes, it sure will, at least some of the time. As it turns out, the fragrance of common, Irish Spring bar soap appears to be highly repellent to chipmunks and many other mammals besides.