7 Plants That Repel and Keep Chipmunks Out of Your Yard

Chipmunks are adorable animals. Who wouldn’t want to see one while casually out on a stroll? As sweet-looking as these rodents are, they can be real pests in your garden. Chipmunks are known to dig and wreak havoc on plants and their roots. While searching for food, they can accidentally damage your plants in the same area.

Chipmunks love to burrow themselves. As they settle into their burrow, they can tear through your favorite flower’s roots. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to get rid of chipmunks in your yard or at least shoo them away from your prized flowers. One common method is using black pepper seasoning or red chili flakes. If you don’t want to spread seasonings in your yard, consider planting flowers they could care less for. But what plants repel chipmunks? Keep reading to discover plants that repel and keep chipmunks out of your yard.

Mint

You don’t have to let chipmunks terrorize your peace and garden. These little animals have very sensitive noses, which is why plants like mint can deter and repel them from your yard. If you’re looking for a natural and delicious-smelling chipmunk repellent, think about planting mint in a shaded area.

Mint is a cool weather plant. It thrives in partial sun and shade. The best USDA zones to grow this plant include zones 3 to 11. Once the weather gets too hot, though, your mint plant can bolt and flower or suffer from sun damage.

Geranium

You aren’t just limited to growing herbs and strong-smelling plants to deter chipmunks. There are also plenty of beautiful flowers that can make your garden pop while also keeping chipmunks away. An example of this is the geranium.

Geranium is a genus of showy flowering plants varying in shapes, sizes, and colors. These flowers don’t always work against chipmunks or squirrels but are worth a shot. You may have better luck planting geraniums and sprinkling black pepper flakes into your soil.

Cayenne Pepper

It’s unlikely a chipmunk will willingly take a bite of hot peppers like cayenne. If you love hot peppers, consider planting cayenne peppers in your garden. They can get pretty tall and bushy and produce lovely little white flowers. On the off chance that a chipmunk may take a bite of the red pepper, they won’t mess with it after that again.

Cayenne peppers are heat-loving plants. They do best in USDA growing zones 4a to 11b .

Chives

Fourth on our list of plants that repel and keep chipmunks away from your yard is chives. This super fragrant perennial plant is not a favorite amongst rodents for the plant’s strong smell. It’s also super easy to grow if you have a semi-shady yard.

Chives are members of the family Amaryllidaceae. It produces both edible leaves and flowers.

Showy Stonecrop

Do you want a more floral or showy plant for your garden? Although the showy stonecrop doesn’t exactly repel pests like chipmunks, they are chipmunk-resistant.

Showy stonecrop is a plant that produces large clusters of small pink and white flowers. It is a member of the Crassulaceae family and can reach nearly 2 feet high and wide. Although chipmunk and deer-resistant, there is always a chance these adorable animals will take a bite.

Marigolds

Marigolds are excellent flowers to add to any garden. They are excellent companion plants to tomatoes, draw away pests, and attract pollinators. We could all use more butterflies, bees, and moths in our gardens and fewer chipmunks, squirrels, and rats.

Marigolds are one of the easiest plants to take care of. They survive brutal summers and thrive under pressure. The plant spreads quickly as the seeds drop and scatter in the wind. To deter chipmunks you can plant marigolds around your favorite plants like a border.

Lavender

Ending our list is lavender – a favorite plant for many. Despite its sweet and light scent, chipmunks can’t stand lavender. If you’re looking for a plant to protect your tomatoes and fruits, consider growing lavender.

Lavender does well both in the ground and in containers. You also don’t have to settle for just one species. There are over forty species of lavender. Technically, lavender is a genus and not a specific plant.

Other Ways to Repel Chipmunks

Using plants to repel chipmunks from your yard doesn’t always work. These small animals are crafty. They’ll sneak into your yard quickly without you noticing in seconds. So, what are other ways you can repel them from your yard?

A common way gardeners try to get rid of chipmunks is by adding reflective material and decorations throughout the yard. You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars on shiny decorations. Recycled CDs do the job well. Also, keep your yard clean and clear from food. Chipmunks love to snack on bird seeds, so think twice before installing a bird feeder.

Up Next:

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• Discover 11 Smells That Squirrels and Chipmunks Absolutely Hate
• 6 Plants That Repel and Keep Groundhogs Out of Your Yard

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