How to Keep Chipmunks Out of Your Flower Beds
Chipmunks are members of the squirrel family, but instead of living in tree nests, they burrow tunnels and dens in the ground. Of the 15 varieties of chipmunks that live in North America, the two most prevalent species are the Eastern chipmunk and the least chipmunk. Like traditional squirrels, chipmunks eat flower stalks and even dig the bulbs up out of the ground. Using some basic protection techniques will keep your garden safe from these intruders.
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Things You`ll Need
- Tape measure
- Felt-tip pen
- Roll of 1/4-inch hardware cloth
- Tin snips
- Top soil or mulch
- Moth balls (optional)
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Use a tape measure to determine the length and width of the flower bed. When you have the dimensions, add 12 inches to both the length and the width.
Open a roll of hardware cloth so it is flat on the ground. Use the tape measure and a felt-tip pen to transfer the flower bed measurements onto the hardware cloth.
Cut along the pen outline using tin snips.
Place the edge of the hardware cloth at one side of the flower bed and stretch it out until you reach the first flower or plant.
Cut an "x" or a small circle in the hardware cloth to accommodate the plant and then lower the hardware cloth to the ground around the base of it.
Video: Keeping Chipmunks Out of Your Garden
Continue unrolling the hardware cloth and cutting openings for the plants until you have covered the entire flower bed.
Spread a 1/2-inch layer of top soil or mulch on top of the hardware cloth.
Tips & Warnings
- If additional protection is needed, sprinkle 4 to 5 lbs. of moth balls over the area for every 2,000 square feet of flower bed. This repels the chipmunks because they do not like the smell.