Chipmunk Repellent: The Best Way to Get Rid of Chipmunks

Written by Kristin Hitchcock
Updated: February 9, 2023
© Cindy Larson/Shutterstock.com

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Chipmunks may be cute, but they can also be very annoying pests for gardeners. They may not look like their rat cousins, but they can be just as destructive. If you have a chipmunk problem, it can be challenging to solve it. For this job, you need a chipmunk repellent.

There are plenty of DIY options out there, such as garlic and similar spices. However, commercial options are available for a reason – they are often easier to apply and more dependable.

However, you can’t just purchase any commercial chipmunk repellent. Only the best will do. Take a look at our reviews below for your best options.

  1. Plantskydd Granular Animal Repellent
    • Made from 100% dried bovine blood
    • Also works on deer, moose, and squirrels
    • Great value for the money
    • Apply every six to eight weeks
    Check Amazon
  2. Apello Solar Chipmunk Repellent
    • Works with sonic vibrations
    • Solar-charged
    • Very humane, no animal is harmed
    • No toxins or poisons involved
    Check Amazon
  3. Natural Armor Animal & Rodent Repellent Spray
    • Ready to use
    • Lasts up to 90 days
    • All ingredients are natural
    • Can be used indoors and outdoors
    Check Amazon
  4. Grandpa Gus's All Natural Repellent Spray
    • Use for specific areas
    • Only all-natural ingredients
    • Very safe option
    • Smell pleasant
    Check Amazon

A-Z-Animals Top Picks for Chipmunk Repellent

#1 Best Overall: Plantskydd Granular Animal Repellent

Our selection as the best overall chipmunk repellent is the Plantskydd Granular Animal Repellent.

This product is proven to work on a number of different animals, including deer, elk, moose, hares, voles, squirrels, and chipmunks. It is a great option for a gardener that needs protection against a variety of different animals.

One container protects about 4,000 square feet of space. Typically, this is enough for the average gardener, making it great value for the money. It needs to be applied about every six to eight weeks when the animals are active. However, during the colder months, it doesn’t need to be applied quite as often.

Plus, this product is environmentally-friendly and completely safe for gardens. (It is made from 100% dried bovine blood, after all.)

However, the main drawback to this product is that it is an expensive option. Also, some customers have reported having to reapply it sooner than the recommended time.

Pros and Cons of the Plantskydd Granular Animal Repellent

ProsCons
This product is proven to work on several different animals — including chipmunks, deer, elk, hares, and voles.It is an expensive option.
One container will cover approximately 4,000 square feet of space.Some customers have reported having to reapply it sooner than expected.
It is environmentally-friendly and completely safe for gardens.
It only needs to be reapplied every six to eight weeks.
Best Overall
Plantskydd Granular Animal Repellent
  • Made from 100% dried bovine blood
  • Also works on deer, moose, and squirrels
  • Great value for the money
  • Apply every six to eight weeks
Check Amazon

2. Best Sonic Repellent: Apello Solar Chipmunk Repellent

If you’re looking for a completely humane option that doesn’t need to be reapplied then we recommend the Apello Solar Chipmunk Repellent.

This spike repellent sends out sonic vibrations every 30 seconds, which upset moles, chipmunks, and gophers. With these repellents, you can bet that these animals will stay away. Each spike has a 45 foot radius so you can easily cover your entire garden or perimeter.

We liked that these repellents were solar-charged. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about batteries. Plus, they are an energy-friendly and environmentally-friendly alternative.

One of the best features of this repellent is that it is completely humane. It does not harm the animals in any way. Instead, it simply drives them away with sound. It is also completely safe for humans and pets. There are no toxins or poisons involved.

Unfortunately, some customers reported that they stopped working after a few months.

Pros and Cons of the Apello Solar Chipmunk Repellent

ProsCons
These spike repellents send out sonic vibrations every 30 seconds.Some customers reported that they stopped working after a few months.
They are solar powers so do not require any other power source.
It does not use any toxins or poison.
It is completely humane and simply drives pest away using ultrasonic waves.
Each spike has a 45 foot radius of coverage.
Best Sonic Repellent
Apello Solar Chipmunk Repellent
  • Works with sonic vibrations
  • Solar-charged
  • Very humane, no animal is harmed
  • No toxins or poisons involved
Check Amazon

3. Best Spray: Natural Armor Animal & Rodent Repellent

Our selection as the best spray option is the Natural Armor Animal and Rodent Repellent as it can be used indoors as well as outdoors.

For those who are interested in spraying indoors as well, you may want to take a look at this formula. Most repellents specifically say not to use them indoors. However, this one is different. It is designed to keep just about any animal away, including raccoons, rats, mice, and chipmunks. With that said, chipmunks usually don’t wander into houses. However, if you’re having critter problems in general, this repellent may be a solid option for you.

This formula comes ready to use. All you need to do is give it a shake and start spraying. It treats about 1,000 square feet and lasts up to 90 days. As you’d imagine, it lasts longer indoors than outdoors. All ingredients are natural, so this formula is extremely safe to use. It also has a pleasant peppermint scent.

However, some customers have reported that it did not remain effective for the full 90 days as described, meaning they had t reapply it sooner than expected. Also, some reported that the spray nozzle broke after a few uses.

Pros and Cons of the Natural Armor Animal & Rodent Repellent

ProsCons
This product is safe for use both indoors and outdoors.It does not always last for the full 90 days.
It works on virtually all pest animals.The spray nozzle can break after a few uses.
It comes in a ready-to-use format.
It provides 1,000 square feet of coverage.
Each application lasts for 90 days.
It uses all-natural ingredients.
Best Spray
Natural Armor Animal & Rodent Repellent Spray
  • Ready to use
  • Lasts up to 90 days
  • All ingredients are natural
  • Can be used indoors and outdoors
Check Amazon

4. Most Natural: Grandpa Gus’s All Natural Repellent Spray

If you’re looking for a completely natural option then we suggest Grandpa Gus’s All Natural Repellent Spray.

This smaller container of repellent is perfect for keeping chipmunks away from very specific areas, such as bird feeders and houseplants. It contains only all-natural ingredients, so it is safe for the environment and other animals.

In fact, this formula is completely based on essential oils. It hinges on the fact that chipmunks and other animals don’t like certain oils and stay away from them.

However, this formula may not be as effective as other options. It is also quite expensive, largely because of the ingredients used.

Pros and Cons of Grandpa Gus’s All Natural Repellent Spray

ProsCons
This product contains only all-natural ingredients, so it is safe for the environment and other animals.It is an expensive option.
It is ideal for keeping pests away from small areas such as bird feeders.It is not as effective as some of the other products listed.
It uses essetial oils that chipmunks doen’t like the smell of.
Most Natural
Grandpa Gus's All Natural Repellent Spray
  • Use for specific areas
  • Only all-natural ingredients
  • Very safe option
  • Smell pleasant
Check Amazon

Choosing the Best: What to Look For

Not all chipmunk repellents are made equal. Therefore, it is vital that you only choose the best. Consider a product’s price, effectiveness, and longevity before purchasing it.

Price

Chipmunk repellents can be surprisingly expensive. A lot of research and development goes into these products, and their price exhibits this. Therefore, be sure to consider your budget before setting out to purchase a repellent.

We included products at a variety of different price points in our reviews, so you should be able to find something there no matter your budget.

Effectiveness

Of course, you want a repellent to be effective. Otherwise, it isn’t worth much.

Sadly, the only way to be sure of a product’s effectiveness is to read reviews like ours. If you want to be sure that your product will work (most of the time, at least), purchase one of the products we recommended above.

Longevity

You don’t want to have to reapply the repellent all the time, even if it does happen to be very cheap. You preferably want one that is going to last a least a month and a half. However, there are options that last even longer.

Different Types of Chipmunk Repellent: Pros and Cons Compared

There are several types of chipmunk repellent, namely natural, chemical, and ultrasonic. Each of these options is suited to different situations. Therefore, it is vital that you choose the correct option for you:

  • Natural: Natural repellents include things like blood and other ingredients that are natural. Usually, these are the safest options.
  • Chemical: As you might guess, this option uses chemicals to keep chipmunks away. They may or may not be humane.
  • Ultrasonic: Chipmunks hear higher pitches than us. Therefore, these options send out high-pitched noises that we can’t hear but chipmunks can.

Natural

ProsCons
They are usually safe for humans and pets to be around.They are not always completely effective.
They are usually humane.

Chemical

ProsCons
They are usually completely effective.They are not always a humane option.
They are usually more expensive.

Ultrasonic

ProsCons
They are safe for plants and most other animals.They are sometimes not completely effective.
No reapplication is necessary.

How to Get Rid of Chipmunks

Chipmunks can often decimate your yard and even damage your home’s foundation. Luckily, there are a lot of straightforward ways that you can get rid of them. Here are some easier ways to prevent and eliminate a chipmunk infestation:

  1. Prune trees and bushes: Chipmunks live in overgrown trees and bushes. Furthermore, they may also use these to climb onto your house and get around. Therefore, you can eliminate some chipmunks by removing the trees and bushes they use for coverage.
  2. Eliminate any bird feeders: Bird feeders may be a great way to attract birds to your yard, but they are also well-loved by chipmunks. They love bird seed and will use a feeder as a food source.
  3. Remove woodpiles: Chipmunks will also hide in woodpiles and stacks of rock. They crave cover, so removing the cover from your yard can send them elsewhere.
  4. Install an L-shaped footer: According to the Humane Society, installing an L-shaped footer near your home will prevent rodents from burrowing under your house. You can also add this type of fence to your garden or yard.
  5. Use rodent repellent: Furthermore, you can also utilize rodent repellent to keep these chipmunks away. Different repellents have different degrees of success, though, so you should only purchase a quality option.

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About the Author

Kristin is a writer at A-Z Animals primarily covering dogs, cats, fish, and other pets. She has been an animal writer for seven years, writing for top publications on everything from chinchilla cancer to the rise of designer dogs. She currently lives in Tennessee with her cat, dogs, and two children. When she isn't writing about pets, she enjoys hiking and crocheting.

Chipmunk Repellent: The Best Way to Get Rid of Chipmunks FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

Why are chipmunks a problem?

Chipmunks can decimate your yard and even damage your home’s foundation — leading to costly repairs that you could probably do without.

Why have chipmunks started coming into my yard?

Chipmunks can be attracted by a variety of things.  They may have moved into the nearby area or you might have an attractive woodpile in your yard that they can hide in.  However, things such as bird feeders can also attract them as they will use the feeder as food source.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.