How to Get Rid of Chipmunks in Your Garden (Step-By-Step)

If you are staring at fresh holes and loose soil in the middle of your garden, you already know the problem is not over once you patch it. Learning how to fill holes made by chipmunks is the difference between quick fixes and damage that keeps coming back. Start by figuring out what you are dealing with, remove chipmunks humanely, then backfill the burrow so it cannot settle or reopen.

Spot the Problem Before You Fill the Holes

Chipmunks leave small, tidy entrances and they move fast. Before you fill anything, identify the tunnel so you do not seal the wrong animal’s path, especially near bulbs, roots, and building edges.

How to tell chipmunk burrows from mole or vole tunnels

Chipmunk burrows usually have one or more distinct entrances with loose soil pushed up in a small pile near the opening. Mole and vole activity looks different: moles create raised, run-like ridges with deeper, continuous movement, and vole tunnels form shallow, runways under low cover with narrower “runs” in grass. Check the size and layout. Chipmunk holes are typically around 1 to 2 inches wide, while mole ridges look like longer, winding channels.

1. Compare entrance size, look for a defined hole opening.
2. Scan nearby for both surface ridges (moles) and shallow runways under vegetation (voles).
3. Note where the soil is displaced, chipmunks push dirt at the entrance.

Check for active entry points, not just old holes

Old burrows get abandoned, but chipmunks quickly reuse usable tunnel networks. Active activity shows up as fresh dirt, cleanly disturbed edges, and repeated movement at dawn and dusk. Do not fill just because you see a hole, you need to confirm the burrow is empty.

1. Look at the entrance after the last rain, fresh soil around the opening means active use.
2. Use a garden trowel to gently scrape the rim of the hole and watch for new digging.
3. Spend 10 minutes observing at dawn and dusk for repeated entry and exit.

Look for garden damage around bulbs, roots, and foundations

Chipmunks dig for food storage, and their damage often shows up where bulbs and roots are easy to access. They also choose protected edges near foundations, deck posts, porch skirting, and retaining walls.

1. Inspect bulb areas for disturbed plantings, exposed bulbs, or missing crowns.
2. Check root zones for chewed or pulled plants, look for small dragged debris.
3. Walk the perimeter and check for new holes near the foundation line, deck bases, and retaining walls.

Remove the Chipmunks Humanely First

You cannot fix the holes correctly if animals are still inside. Remove chipmunks using the safest method that fits your setup, then seal only after the burrow is empty and the animals are gone.

Choose the safest removal method for your setup

Start with the least risky option that matches your location, garden beds are different from deck and foundation areas. In many cases, exclusion and humane relocation steps work best, especially when burrows are near structures where digging continues.

1. If burrows are in open garden areas, use exclusion-first tactics and humane deterrents.
2. If burrows are under structures, focus on humane removal plus physical exclusion at entry points.
3. Keep pets and kids away from the hole until you complete removal and sealing.

Use traps only if they are legal where you live

Traps can work, but legality and placement matter. Check your local and state rules before you set anything. If trapping is allowed, use humane live traps and handle them with care.

1. Verify trapping is legal in your area before you buy or place a trap.
2. Place a live trap directly at the active entrance, not farther away.
3. Use appropriate bait (such as peanut butter) and check traps frequently per local requirements.
4. Relocate according to local guidance, many areas require specific distances or permits.

When to call a wildlife or rodent control professional

Call a professional when chipmunks are under decks, in porches, in crawlspaces, or where they could be inside walls or attics. Those situations can lead to mess, structural risk, and unsafe access during removal.

1. Contact a pro if burrows are under a deck, porch, foundation, retaining wall, or near vent openings.
2. Call if you hear scratching inside walls, ceiling spaces, or attic areas.
3. Use a pro when you cannot access tunnels safely without damaging structures or landscaping.

Make the Burrow Unusable Before Repairing It

Chipmunks will keep digging if the tunnel still functions. You need to identify the main passage and side exits, then ensure the burrow is empty before you seal anything.

Find the main tunnel and any side exits

Chipmunks often create more than one opening. If you seal only one entrance, the animals can escape and you may trap them in place when you fill.

1. Probe around the entrance with a gloved hand or small tool to find connected voids.
2. Look for additional openings within the same area, especially along borders and under cover.
3. Clear loose topsoil carefully so you see where the tunnel truly runs before you start filling.

Confirm the burrow is empty before sealing

A sealed burrow with an animal inside becomes a cleanup nightmare and can increase damage. Confirm emptiness by observation and by checking during a time window when animals are least likely to be using it.

1. Observe the openings at dawn and dusk for repeated activity before you seal.
2. If activity is present, stop and remove animals first, then recheck.
3. Only when there is no activity and no fresh digging do you proceed with backfilling.

Avoid trapping animals inside walls, decks, or porches

When burrows connect to voids under structures, sealing the wrong opening can trap chipmunks inside cavities. Chipmunks can also move through small gaps and wiring or siding spaces.

1. Do not seal entrances that could connect to wall or deck voids.
2. Keep work focused on the garden-side openings until you have full access to all related exits.
3. If you see signs of inside activity, stop and call a professional to prevent trapping.

Fill Chipmunk Holes the Right Way

The goal is a stable, compacted fill that will not settle. Loose dirt collapses after rain, and that reopens the entry point.

Pack the tunnel with soil in layers, not loose fill

Backfilling works when you compact. If you dump dirt in one time, it settles and creates a low spot the chipmunks reuse.

1. Remove loose debris from the opening so you can see the tunnel opening.
2. Fill with soil in layers (about 2 to 3 inches at a time).
3. Tamp each layer firmly before adding the next.
4. Finish so the surface sits level with the surrounding ground.

Use gravel or wire mesh where collapse is likely

If the tunnel is deep or located near structures where the soil supports less weight, use reinforcement. Gravel and wire mesh add stability and reduce future collapse.

1. For deep voids, add a layer of gravel partway down before final soil fill.
2. Where collapse is likely near a foundation edge, install wire mesh (hardware cloth) as a barrier over the void.
3. Finish with compacted soil over the mesh so it blends into the grade.

Match the surface so rain does not reopen the hole

Chipmunks return to convenient openings, rain is what creates that convenience again. Level the repaired area and shape it so water runs away from the filled spot.

1. Rake the surface flat and remove low dips around the former entrance.
2. Lightly compact the top layer so it does not sink during watering.
3. Check grading after a rain, the area should stay level and not show a new depression.

Repair the Garden Damage Left Behind

After the holes are filled, restore plants and fix the ground so chipmunks cannot claim the repaired area as an easy food route. A tidy, growing garden also reduces cover and hiding spots.

Replant disturbed bulbs, seedlings, and roots

Bulbs often survive if you act quickly, but they need the right depth and firm contact. If roots were pulled, replant promptly and firm the soil around them.

1. Remove loose soil and replace with clean garden soil or composted material.
2. Plant bulbs at the correct depth for the species, firm the soil gently with your hands.
3. For seedlings, replant at the same soil line and press the soil around the stem base.

Level sunken areas and reseed bare spots

Backfilling can leave small depressions, so correct grade now to prevent pooling and future digging opportunities.

1. Rake over the repaired area and pull up any remaining clumps.
2. Add topsoil as needed until the surface matches the surrounding grade.
3. Reseed bare spots, then water lightly to keep the top layer moist until germination.

Protect new plants while the area settles

New plantings are vulnerable during the first weeks after repair. Use physical protection so chipmunks do not dig again while roots establish.

1. Use small plant cages or cloches for bulbs and seedlings.
2. Spread a thin layer of mulch after replanting, keep it away from direct burrow openings.
3. Watch for new digging during the settling period, address it immediately before the tunnel expands again.

Stop Chipmunks From Reopening the Same Area

Repairing the hole is only half the job. If food and cover remain, chipmunks will reuse nearby openings and restart the cycle.

Remove food sources, shelter, and cover

Chipmunks follow reliable resources. Remove what makes your yard easy to feed in and easy to hide in.

1. Pick up fallen fruit and store it away from the yard overnight.
2. Reduce brush piles and tidy dense ground cover along borders.
3. Keep the area around beds and paths trimmed so there is less hiding space.

Use humane deterrents around beds and borders

Deterrents work best when paired with cleanup and exclusion. Place them where chipmunks approach, such as along bed edges and around problem entry points.

1. Apply a humane repellent product labeled for chipmunks, follow the label rate and reapply after rain.
2. Use physical barriers such as hardware cloth buried 6 to 12 inches at the edge of vulnerable beds.
3. Keep deterrents consistent, chipmunks learn patterns when the yard stays unchanged.

Keep pots, feeders, and compost from attracting them

Even one reliable food source can bring chipmunks back to your garden. Control what they can reach easily.

1. Store compost in a closed bin with a secured lid, do not leave uncovered piles.
2. Move bird feeders away from the garden, clean up dropped seed daily.
3. Keep outdoor pet food indoors overnight and store it in sealed containers.

Know When the Holes Mean a Bigger Problem

Some chipmunk burrows signal risk beyond garden damage. Larger nesting areas, structural voids, and foundation impacts need a different response.

Signs chipmunks are nesting under a deck or porch

Nesting under structures usually means ongoing activity and more than one entrance or access point. You may see scratching, repeated dirt disturbance, or increased movement under the deck edge.

1. Look for multiple entrance holes along the same structure perimeter.
2. Watch for frequent reentry and exit across short time windows.
3. Check for droppings and chewed material under floor edges and near vents.

Warning signs of activity in walls or the attic

If chipmunks have access to interior spaces, you may hear rustling or scratching sounds. Entry points can be small, and damage can accumulate behind siding or in the attic.

1. Listen for sounds at night, scratching and scampering usually increase in the evening.
2. Look for new gaps around utility lines, vents, and soffits.
3. Check attic access points and eaves where debris appears.

When burrows are damaging a foundation or retaining wall

A foundation-edge burrow can undermine soil support and worsen cracking. A retaining wall burrow can also create voids that lead to shifting.

1. Inspect for new cracks, uneven settling, or gaps near the burrow area.
2. Look for bulging soil or movement at retaining walls.
3. Stop DIY sealing if the damage affects foundations or wall integrity, call a professional to assess the risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if a chipmunk hole is still active?

Look for fresh dirt at the entrance, cleanly disturbed edges, and repeated movement near the opening. If the hole stays unchanged for several days and no activity appears at dawn or dusk, it may be abandoned, but you should confirm before filling it.

What is the best way to fill holes made by chipmunks?

After confirming the burrow is empty, backfill in layers and tamp each layer to prevent future collapse. If the tunnel is deep or near structures, add gravel or use wire mesh in part of the void, then finish with compacted soil that matches the grade.

Can I just pour dirt into a chipmunk hole?

You can, but loose dirt often settles and sinks again, especially after watering or rain. Layered backfilling with tamping gives you a stable repair that does not create a renewed low spot at the entrance.

Will chipmunks come back to the same hole?

They can if food, shelter, or an easy tunnel network still exists nearby. Repair the hole properly, remove attractants, and monitor for fresh digging for at least a few weeks.

Should I use poison to get rid of chipmunks?

Poison is generally not the best choice for garden chipmunks because it can harm pets, wildlife, and non-target animals. Humane removal and exclusion methods are safer and work better for most homeowners.

When should I call a professional for chipmunk burrows?

Call a professional if burrows are under a deck, porch, foundation, or retaining wall, or if you suspect chipmunks inside walls or the attic. Those situations can create structural damage and are harder to fix safely.