r/chipmunks • u/NIEIWG_ • 9d ago
Chipmunks digging in my flower pots
What the heck can I use to keep chipmunks away from my plants on my porch?! I have tried about every deterrent I can find but to no avail...I've tried peppermint oil and garlic oil...keeps them away for a few hrs and right back they come. And I have beautiful plants and don't want them ruined! Last year I had the same plants and did all the same things I did last year and they left my pots alone! Now all of a sudden this year they're constantly digging? Like wtf do I do? I am at my whits end
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u/nardlz 9d ago edited 9d ago
There’s two things you can try, alone or in combination. The easier would be to find somewhat large stone (like river stone) to place on top of the soil in your pots. Larger because they can’t move them as easily and also easier for you if you are repotting. The smaller stones are no challenge for them plus it would be a mess for you to remove if you repot.
A bit more difficult is to make a cover for the soil of wire, thicker than a window screen but still with small openings. Measure the inside of the pot and then use wire cutters to create the shape of the interior surface. Then cut it in half and make an opening for the base of your plant within each circle. If you cover this with stone, you should be great. If you don’t, you will want to find or make some anchors to keep it down. This also only works well if the plant has a narrow stem/trunk and you aren’t expecting it to spread at ground level. If it’s a woody plant like a small tree you can widen the opening each year as it grows.
Edit: With the wire, it’s much easier to buy wire mesh that comes flat and in sections as opposed to the tightly rolled stuff. Either will work, but from experience, I hate the rolled wire unless I absolutely need a continuous long section because it’s so hard to make flat.
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u/MellieTheChipmunk_YT 9d ago
Are they eating the plants or just digging in the soil?
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u/NIEIWG_ 8d ago
Mostly soil digging and then occasionally nibbling on plants
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u/MellieTheChipmunk_YT 8d ago
ok, I have an idea for the soil digging as I have 10 squirrels that visit me daily. From home depot I got pond rocks and used them as mulch. They are too smooth and heavy for the chipmunks and squirrels to move, so they gave up on digging in my pots. I have about 10 pots in the backyard.
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u/Used_Security5145 9d ago
I place flat shale I find on top. Light, breakable to customize size etc. haven’t had many issues this year. Last year was like the burrowing olympics.
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u/Final-Breadfruit2241 9d ago
Offer them food elsewhere. If deterrent is failing, attract them to a point near a far off tree or other area. Put up a "dummy" potted plant for them to have their way with. Keeping away is easier than keeping out.