How to discourage chipmunks without harming butterflies?

12 years ago

I have chipmunks digging all over the yard. They are especially interested in the butterfly host and nectar plants -- all recent plantings. Almost all my plants are native and planted to attract builds or butterflies. How can I discourage the chipmunks without harming the birds and butterflies? My neighbor suggested hot pepper spray but I am concerned the butterflies will be repelled in addition to the chipmunks.

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Comments (4)

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
12 years ago
For small areas, I've had luck repelling chipmunks with cayenne pepper powder, sprinkled on the soil. If I had a bigger problem, I'd try blood meal or milorganite, both of which have pretty powerful odors that are effective in repelling chipmunks, squirrels, and even deer.

Again, all of these products should be sprinkled on the ground, not on the plants. The blood meal should be used in small amounts since it has a pretty high N content.
bigthicketgardens
12 years ago
Snakes that eat small rodents and other snakes are excellent varmint controls. You can encourage a snake such as a coachwhip, which are voracious predators consuming a large variety of varmints, by building a stone "pyramid" with a hollow chamber large enough for them to curl up in and hide from hawks, raccoons,and other predators that would in turn prey on them. Coachwhips even prey on rattlesnakes! Even if rat snakes are all that are present in your area they can effectively deal with chipmunks.
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This is how i see it. This forum is to educate and discuss,perhaps this should go to the discussion side,but,there are those out there,who,do not know that chippies will gouge out their own eyes to stop the burning sensation from the red pepper.So, some may find this information to be very helpful,as no one really wants to be cruel to animals.We have all done things in our life,that,later, we found out it was the wrong thing to do,therefore,we change what we were doing,right? When you know better,you do better. I have had red pepper in my eyes when canning,and believe me,you do want to gouge out your eyes,so,if one does this ON PURPOSE,then, it is cruelty to animals. We do,as Lainy said, all need to learn to coexist with creation. I do not own,all the hosta i have in my yard, i may have bought them with money,but,i am only the caretaker of them,they will become some one else's when i am gone,it is my responsibility,and great joy to have them for awhile.The same with chippies and other living things. We have a pond,there was a time that i was furious with the coon getting into my pond,but,hey,they only do what is natural to them, and they were here first, so i learned to do better,and accept them,we live in harmony,and it is nice,fun actually. I was at my neighbores one dy last year,she feeds the chippies,we were sitting on her porch,and the chippies actually climbed up my pant leg,over my shoulders,to get to her and some sunflower seeds she was feeding them,it was totally awsume.They very gently took the seed from her,way cool!!!!! Carol
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docmom_gw
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If you don't mind killing the chipmunks, you can fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of water and cover the top with sunflower seed (it floats) and place a two-by-four or other "bridge" leading to the rim. Sprinkle some seeds along the wood leading to the bucket. Chipmunks will see the seed and jump in and then drown. Sounds very cruel, but chipmunks can be very destructive to car engines, foundations of buildings, gardens, etc. I hate to kill anything, but can't afford more engine repair or finding myself unable to get to work some morning.

Martha
anitamo
12 years ago
I use Milorganite on my lawn and even spread it throughout my beds, and I have chipmunks galore. They have a big den under my deck, but I see them disappearing into other areas, too. I don't know if the tunnels all lead to the deck or not. So if Milorganite repels chippies in theory, where would they go? Would they actually leave their home? Or do you just mean they will leave the plants alone? I rarely see plant damage, but they've done a number on my front cement stoop. It's sinking and I see the little devils going in and out of the hole that's formed. So I've been using rat traps, but not having much luck this year with them. They must be getting smarter.

I tried the bucket of death method last year...messy and it works...but I stopped when one poster witnessed it taking almost two hours of torture before it finally drowned. I can't stomach that, so scratch that idea. My next try is going to be the Rat Zapper. I think that's the name of it, it's the battery operated one that is reusable. So with the trap method, no butterflies are harmed.

How to discourage chipmunks without harming butterflies?

Comments (4)

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7

bigthicketgardens

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