Table of Contents
Although chipmunks mainly eat seeds, berries, nuts, insects and mushrooms on the ground, they also can climb trees to gather these or to prey on young birds and bird eggs.
What garden plants do chipmunks eat?
We all know that the chipmunk (like its cousin, the squirrel) loves acorns and nuts. But what do chipmunks eat in the garden? These animals will also happily feast on fresh berries, herbs, and even vegetables like celery and mushrooms.
What do chipmunks like to eat the most?
The Wild Chipmunk Diet Chipmunks love shelled, unsalted peanuts, and it’s adorable to see them fill their cheeks with them. But overfeeding a chipmunk with peanuts can be bad for their diet. If feeding them becomes a habit, try to limit the amount of sunflower seeds and peanuts that you feed them.
How do I keep chipmunks out of my garden?
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.
Do chipmunks eat tomato plants?
Chipmunks in the garden may be cute at first sight, but when they start to eat your tomatoes, they are nothing but a pest. Chipmunks can destroy your tomato crop by eating the fruits right off the vine, and the tomatoes that they do not consume are often spoiled by the rodents’ excrement.
What do chipmunks hate the most?
Contrary to the noses of humans, chipmunks absolutely can’t stand the smells of certain strong oils like peppermint, citrus, cinnamon, and eucalyptus. Additionally, chipmunks can’t stand the smell of garlic.
What is the most effective way to get rid of chipmunks?
Trap Humanely Generally small traps, from 10 to 20 inches long, and with one or two doors are the way to go. Place them around burrows and the places you’ve most often seen chipmunks, baiting the traps with goodies like peanut butter or sunflower seeds. Be sure to check the trap often and re-home the animals promptly.
What can I feed a wild chipmunk?
Chipmunks in the wild are very opportunistic eaters, and they’ll feast on just about anything they come across. In terms of plants, this includes seeds, fruits, grains, mushrooms, grass, shoots, and of course, nuts. They’re not very picky when it comes to meat, either.
Do chipmunks remember where they hide food?
Sometimes, chipmunks end up forgetting where they buried the rest of their nuts and seeds. If memory doesn’t help, they use their sense of smell to locate their own and other animals’ caches. This especially works when there is moisture.
Do chipmunks like apples?
Small amounts of washed, chopped fruit and vegetables such as apples, pears, bananas, oranges, carrots, sweet potatoes, bean sprouts, and tomatoes are also welcomed by these small animals and add extra variety to their diet.
Do coffee grounds repel chipmunks?
When using coffee grounds as mulch, your furry pests (e.g., squirrels, chipmunks, and bunnies) don’t want to have much to do with them…so they stay at bay. Coffee grounds will also deter slugs…Sep 4, 2014.
Do chipmunks damage vegetable gardens?
Chipmunks are natural diggers, and a chipmunk family can do extensive damage to plant roots in your garden. While chipmunks love to munch on your fruits, bulbs and young plants, it’s their burrowing activities that can cause the most serious issues on your property.
Do chipmunks like marigolds?
Marigolds (Tagetes spp.) don’t repel rodents, such as mice, voles, rats, squirrels, chipmunks and groundhogs. Conversely, research shows that certain chemical compounds in marigolds and exuded by their roots are effective at warding off insects, such as hornworms, whiteflies and root nematodes.
How do I keep squirrels and chipmunks from eating my tomatoes?
Wrap individual fruits on tomato, eggplant, or other vegetable plants in small pieces of bird netting. Squirrels seem to be most interested in stealing tomatoes just as they ripen, so wrap the mature fruits and ignore the green ones.
How do you get rid of chipmunks naturally?
To make your property unattractive to chipmunks, keep your garden tidy by cleaning up windfall from fruit trees and berry bushes. Also, consider putting in plants like garlic and daffodils that act as natural repellents. Bag and dispose of small rocks, vines, and clippings where chipmunks may hide.
Do chipmunks dig holes in your yard?
Chipmunks dig extensive burrow systems directly underneath or next to natural or manmade cover. They dig two types of burrows: shallow burrows in which they seek refuge while foraging during the day, and deeper, more complex burrows where they nest, store food and spend most of the winter months.
Will Epsom salt deter chipmunks?
Try an Epsom Salt Repellent Making chipmunk repellents from common household ingredients is another way to prevent these pesky creatures from disturbing your yard. One recipe calls for Lysol, which pushes the chipmunks away with its smell, and Epsom salts that nourish the soil.
Do chipmunks dig holes in grass?
So, chipmunks do dig tunnels in yards, it is however quite difficult for a homeowner to find these burrows. Don’t look for piles of dirt in this case. Chipmunks build their tunnels without any dirt lying at the entrance and exit holes. These openings are very small, just 2 or 3 inches in diameter.
