How To Get Rid of Chipmunks In the Garage
Chipmunks are some of the cuter species of rodent out there, with their bright eyes and bushy tails! However, if they come into your home or garage and try to take up residence, you will certainly find yourself thinking of them in less fond terms. Luckily, there are several ways that you can try to get rid of chipmunks in your garage without harming them or having to call the exterminator. Read on to learn more.
How To Get Rid of Chipmunks In the Garage
If you do have chipmunks in your garage, there are a variety of methods that you could try out to get rid of them– many of these are humane and will not harm the furry creatures. Read on to learn more.
Coffee Grounds
Scent can be very off putting to animals– after all, we are sensitive to smell, too. Many animals can smell much better than we can, so they are extra sensitive to pungent or offensive scents. One example of using scent to eliminate chipmunks is by using coffee grounds. Not only is using coffee grounds cost effective, it is easy to obtain them. In order to use them properly as a chipmunk deterrent, you should sprinkle them in the garage, concentrating in any areas where the chipmunks have begun to nest. You can also sprinkle the coffee grounds in your yard and near your house so that the chipmunks never attempt to move closer.
Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil is another example of using scent to get rid of chipmunks. Peppermint essential oil can als be used for other rodents, such as mice or rats, as none of them like the smell. You can sprinkle the oil in corners and areas where you have seen the chipmunks congregating. If you see a chipmunk nest, you can even put some of the peppermint oil in the nest itself. When you are using essential oils, it is also often recommended that you soak cotton balls in the oil. Once these are soaked and will retain the smell, you can place them in different areas of the garage to deter the pests. You can also place the cotton balls or sprinkle the oil outside, like with cotton balls, to keep chipmunks away from the yard and garage entirely.
Mothballs
Mothballs are another humane solution to a chipmunk infestation. This is because mothballs emit a chemical that is known as napthalene. Napthalene repels chipmunks because they are very sensitive to its scent and do not like it– most of the most humane solutions for getting rid of chipmunks are scent based, due to the rodents’ sensitivity. It is important to note, though, that napthalene is considered to be a poisonous chemical, especially in spaces that do not have proper ventilation. It is for this reason that it is unwise to use mothballs for getting rid of chipmunks in your home.
Cayenne Pepper
You likely have cayenne pepper in your spice cabinet, making this an especially effective and easy solution when dealing with an infestation of chipmunks. The rodents do not like the smell of cayenne pepper, due to its intense odor. In fact, this is one of the most potent ways that you can deal with chipmunks. You can spread the pepper itself in your garage, or you can create a cayenne pepper spray to spray the garage with and better distribute the smell.
Electronic Repellents
Another option here is electronic repellents. These types of repellents do not rely on smell like most of the other suggestions on this list. Instead, they use ultrasonic waves to disturb the pests and create an inhospitable environment. You can purchase a high quality machine for around $20 to $30, and it will be able to cover 900 to 1200 square feet successfully. This should be plenty of capacity for your garage! Some may believe that these waves will move the chipmunk nests. However, this is not true. However, it does disturb the rodents and make them want to leave the nest– and leave the garage entirely!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I lure a chipmunk out of my garage?
One of the first things you can try to do when you have a chipmunk– or more than one– in your garage is to lure it out. Try to stick to the natural foods that chipmunks usually eat, as these will be the most effective baits. Some of these could include sunflower seeds, birdseed, nuts, or peanut butter. You can also use any of these as bait for a trap if you need to.
What will scare away chipmunks?
If you are dealing with chipmunks living in your garage or in your home, you likely want to get rid of them without harming them. You can try to scare chipmunks off by making them think that there is one of their predators in the space. For instance, purchase a motion activated owl or buy spray products that are made from the urine of predators. This will convince the chipmunks that they are in danger so that they stay away from your garage.
Do mothballs get rid of chipmunks?
Mothballs can be an effective and humane way to deal with chipmunks that are living in your home or garage. This is because chipmunks do not like mothballs. In order to use mothballs to deter chipmunks, place the mothballs in areas of your garage such as the rafters, behind tables, and in corners– or anywhere that you have seen chipmunks hiding. You can also put mothballs around the foundation of your house.
Does cayenne pepper get rid of chipmunks?
Cayenne pepper is one of the scents that does bother chipmunks! It can be an effective way to deter them from taking up residence in your garage. The spicy odor and pungent smell is a deterrent to many other rodents as well, and may even cause them to leave your garage immediately when they smell it.
