How do I keep chipmunks away from my garden, especially my tomatoes

Darlene T
by Darlene T
My husband want to kill the little guy, but I am an animal lover, please, if anyone knows of a way to keep chipmunks out of gardens. I have a Havahart trap, but I even hate relocating cause I think they are so cute... but would rather relocate than have him killed. Thank you
  9 answers
  • N. Sharon N. Sharon on Jun 13, 2013
    I use cayenne pepper. They jump and run away.....but seem to remember.....no harm donr to them.
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Jun 14, 2013
    You could try scent repellents, like those sold for deer, but it can become an expensive proposition. Chipmunks are cute but they can be really destructive in a garden.
  • Darlene T Darlene T on Jun 14, 2013
    Thanks so much for your quick responses, Douglas, what do you think of the cayenne pepper & N. Sharon, how do you apply it???
  • N. Sharon N. Sharon on Jun 15, 2013
    When I plant my new flowers in pots, I sprinkle it on the soil inside the pots. It does not hurt the plants. Try not to sprinkle on a windy day! Hurts if it gets in your eyes.
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Jun 15, 2013
    Cayenne pepper's probably a lot less expensive than dried coyote urine, so you have nothing to lose by trying it.
  • 360 Sod (Donna Dixson) 360 Sod (Donna Dixson) on Jun 15, 2013
    hmmm....wonder if I could market coyote 'compost' finding some droppings in the nursery parking lot :) lately @Douglas Hunt
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Jun 15, 2013
    It's all about marketing, @360 Sod (Donna Dixson) !
  • TJ TJ on Jun 15, 2013
    chipmunks (thirteen-lined ground squirrels?), voles, gopher, rabbits, deer, racoons, squirrels -- they all think we planted a "buffet" just for them :-) I use Liquid Fence sprinkled with a few other home remedies. Stinks and has to be reapplied but seems to work the best for our deer.
  • Trap and release, or shoot the buggers. They often can get into items that you do not want them to go. People think they are cute, but they can do a lot of damage. Also it is more humane to release them in the woods away from the house then keeping them around. Cats loves these critters and catch them all the time. In the woods there are much more likely to live a longer life. You can spend hundreds of dollars in sprays, and such, most only work if the do at all for a short time and having to keep on retreating is a pain. Coyote compost may work, but it would be better if the dispensing system was kept in the yard.