What Smells Do Chipmunks Hate? 3 Natural Home Remedies

Chipmunks are small, adorable creatures that many of us enjoy having around. However, they can also be a destructive force in our outdoor spaces. The good news is that there are certain smells that chipmunks hate.

In this blog post, we'll explore what some of those smells are, and how you can use them to ward off the little critters.

Smells that chipmunks hate

There are a few smells that chipmunks hate, including vinegar, coffee, and peppermint. These smells are all strong and overwhelming to chipmunks, so they will avoid areas where they can detect these scents.

You can therefore use these things to deter chipmunks from entering your home or garden by placing them in strategic locations. Read on to learn how.

How to use vinegar to get rid of chipmunks

Vinegar is a powerful cleaning agent that can be used to remove stubborn stains and build-up. However, did you know that vinegar can also be used to get rid of pesky pests? That's right—vinegar is an effective chipmunk repellent.

Simply mix equal parts water and vinegar in a spray bottle and apply it liberally to areas where chipmunks have been seen. The strong smell of vinegar will deter them from entering your home or garden.

Any type of vinegar should work, though many homeowners report success with apple cider vinegar.

If you have a serious chipmunk problem, you may need to reapply the solution weekly. However, with regular use, you should see a significant reduction in the number of chipmunks on your property.

Essential oils as a chipmunk deterrent

There are few things more frustrating than watching a chipmunk dart in and out of your garden, raiding your plants for food. In addition to being annoying, these little pests can do serious damage to your flowers and vegetables. One way to deter them is to use essential oils. The strong aroma of peppermint oil, for example, will send them running.

Simply mix a few drops of peppermint oil with water in a spray bottle and mist your plants regularly. You can also try other oils, such as citronella or eucalyptus.

With a little trial and error, you should be able to find an oil that keeps the chipmunks away without harming your plants.

Get rid of chipmunks with your old coffee grounds

If you're tired of finding your flower beds dug up and your veggies nibbled on, it might be time to get rid of those pesky chipmunks. Luckily, there's an easy and environmentally friendly way to do it—with your old coffee grounds.

The strong scent of coffee is known to repel chipmunks, and adding a layer of grounds around your plants can help keep them away. You can also sprinkle used grounds around the perimeter of your property to create a barrier that will help keep chipmunks out.

If you have a problem with these pesky critters, coffee grounds may be just the solution you need. Plus, you don't have to worry about harming other animals or plants, since coffee grounds are perfectly safe for the environment. So the next time you go to make a pot of coffee, set some grounds aside to keep those chipmunks at bay.

Closing thoughts

Chipmunks are often attracted to residential yards, where they can wreak havoc with lawns, plants, and patios. However, they are likely to avoid any smells that are too strong for them. You can use this to your advantage, by strategically placing a few scents around your home.

For example, you can soak a rag in vinegar and place it near entry points, or you can put a sprinkling of used coffee grounds in your garden beds. You can also spray certain essential oils around your property to help keep the chipmunks away.