Chipmunks are cute little creatures, but they can turn your beautiful yard into a maze of holes and tunnels. If you’ve been wondering how to fill chipmunk holes properly, you’re not alone. These tiny critters can dig extensive tunnel systems that stretch up to 30 feet underground, creating multiple entry points that make your lawn look like Swiss cheese.
Learning how to fill chipmunk holes the right way is important for several reasons. First, the holes can be a safety hazard where people might trip and get hurt. Second, the tunnels can weaken the ground under patios, sidewalks, and even foundations over time. Finally, these holes just make your yard look messy and unkempt.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about filling chipmunk holes effectively. You’ll learn how to identify the holes, choose the best materials, and prevent the chipmunks from coming back. By following these steps, you can restore your yard and keep it looking great.
1. Find and Identify Chipmunk Holes in Your Yard
Before you can start filling chipmunk holes, you need to know what you’re looking for. Chipmunk holes are small, usually about 2 to 3 inches across. Unlike mole holes, they don’t have piles of dirt around them because chipmunks are very tidy diggers. They actually store the dirt in their cheek pouches while digging and carry it away.
These holes are perfectly round and sit flat with the ground. You won’t see any raised mounds like you would with ant hills or mole holes. This makes them harder to spot, especially if you’re not looking carefully.
Check these common areas where chipmunks like to dig:
- Around the base of large trees and stumps
- Near woodpiles and rock piles
- Along foundation walls
- Under patios, decks, and stairs
- Around retaining walls
- In flower beds and gardens
- Near bird feeders and pet food areas
Chipmunk tunnels can be much bigger than they appear on the surface. Some tunnel systems stretch 20 to 30 feet underground and go about 3 feet deep. They often have multiple entrance holes, so finding one hole usually means there are others nearby.
Take a walk around your property and mark all the holes you find with small flags or spray paint. This will help you keep track of which ones you’ve filled and watch for new ones that might appear.
2. Check for Safety Before You Start
Safety should always come first when filling chipmunk holes. The most important thing is making sure no chipmunks are currently living in the tunnels. Filling holes with animals inside is not only cruel but also ineffective since they’ll just dig new exits.
The best time to fill holes is during late summer or early fall when chipmunks are most active and likely to be out foraging for food. Avoid filling holes during winter when chipmunks might be hibernating inside, or during spring when they might have babies in the burrows.
Here’s how to check if holes are active:
- Loosely fill the holes with leaves, straw, or loose dirt
- Come back the next day to see if the material has been cleared out
- If the debris is gone, chipmunks are still using that tunnel
- If it stays undisturbed for several days, the hole is probably empty
You’ll also want to gather some basic safety equipment:
- Heavy work gloves to protect your hands
- A small shovel or trowel
- Safety glasses if you’re working with dusty materials
- Knee pads if you’ll be kneeling a lot
Remember, you need to get rid of the chipmunks first before filling holes permanently. Otherwise, you’ll be playing a never-ending game of fill and refill as they keep digging new entrances to their tunnel system.
3. Pick the Best Material for Filling Holes
Choosing the right material is crucial for successfully filling chipmunk holes. Not all materials work the same way, and some are much better than others at keeping chipmunks from digging back through.
Fine Gravel (Best Choice) Fine gravel is the top choice for most situations. The small, loose pieces make it almost impossible for chipmunks to dig through because the gravel shifts and fills any space they try to clear. Choose gravel that’s no bigger than 1/4 inch in diameter. This material also helps with drainage and won’t harm your plants or lawn.
Coarse Sand Coarse sand works similarly to gravel. As chipmunks try to dig, the sand slides right back into the space they’ve cleared. It’s like trying to dig a hole at the beach – the sand just keeps filling back in. Regular sandbox sand is too fine, so look for coarser construction sand.
Used Cat Litter If you have a cat, used litter can be effective because it smells like a predator to chipmunks. However, this method has some downsides. The ammonia in cat urine can harm nearby plants, and there are health concerns with handling used litter. Only use this method away from gardens and always wear gloves.
Quick-Setting Cement For permanent solutions, especially near foundations and walkways, cement is the most effective option. Mix quick-setting cement with sand and fill the holes completely. This method works best for areas where you don’t plan to plant anything.
Materials to Avoid Don’t use regular dirt or topsoil alone, as chipmunks can easily dig through these. Also avoid mothballs or liquid chemicals, which can be harmful to pets, children, and the environment without being very effective.
4. Get Your Tools and Supplies Ready
Having the right tools makes filling chipmunk holes much easier and more effective. You don’t need anything fancy, but having everything ready before you start will save time and frustration.
Essential Tools:
- Small shovel or garden trowel for filling holes
- Funnel or folded piece of cardboard to direct materials into holes
- Bucket or wheelbarrow to carry your filling material
- Garden hose for washing hands and tools
- Measuring cup for smaller holes
Helpful Extras:
- Long screwdriver or metal rod to push material deeper into tunnels
- Garden gloves for protection and comfort
- Knee pads if you have many holes to fill
- Small rake for leveling soil afterward
- Spray bottle with water for settling dust
Calculate How Much Material You’ll Need: Each chipmunk hole might look small on the surface, but remember that the tunnels go deep. A typical hole might need 2 to 4 cups of filling material, depending on how deep the tunnel goes. If you found 10 holes, plan on having at least 2 to 3 bags of gravel or sand on hand.
Buy your materials from a hardware store or garden center. Many stores sell small bags of pea gravel or coarse sand that are perfect for this job. If you have many holes to fill, you might save money by buying materials in bulk.
Set up a work station near your holes with all your tools and materials. This way, you won’t have to keep walking back and forth, and you can work more efficiently.
5. Clean the Area Around Each Hole
Before you start filling chipmunk holes, take time to clean up the area around each one. This step is often overlooked, but it makes the job much easier and more effective.
Remove any leaves, sticks, or debris that might be covering or near the holes. This helps you see the true size and shape of each opening. Sometimes what looks like a small hole is actually much larger once you clear away the covering.
Pull up any weeds or overgrown grass around the holes. Chipmunks often use thick vegetation to hide their entrances, so clearing this away helps prevent them from returning to the same spots.
If you have mulch in the area, pull it back a few inches from each hole. You can replace it later, but for now, you want clear access to work.
Check to see if any holes connect to each other. Sometimes you’ll find that pouring material into one hole causes it to come out of another nearby hole. This tells you that you’re dealing with a connected tunnel system.
Use a flashlight to look inside each hole if possible. This can help you understand how deep the tunnel goes and which direction it heads. Some holes go straight down, while others angle off to the side.
Take photos of the holes before you start filling them. This helps you remember where they were located so you can check those spots later for new activity.
Make note of which holes seem most active. Look for fresh digging, small paw prints in the dirt, or scattered food bits nearby. These are the holes you’ll want to monitor most carefully after filling.
6. Fill Each Hole with Your Chosen Material
Now comes the main event – actually filling chipmunk holes. The key to success is getting your filling material as deep into the tunnel as possible, not just covering the surface opening.
Start with the Deepest Holes First: Begin with holes that seem to go straight down rather than those that angle off to the side. These are usually easier to fill completely.
Use a Funnel for Better Results: A funnel or piece of cardboard folded into a cone shape helps direct your material exactly where you want it. This prevents waste and gets more material into the tunnel rather than scattered around the opening.
Fill in Stages: Pour some material into the hole, then use a long screwdriver or metal rod to push it deeper into the tunnel. Add more material and repeat this process. The goal is to fill the first 4 to 6 inches of the tunnel completely, as this is usually enough to discourage chipmunks from digging back through.
Pack as You Go: After adding material, gently tap or press it down to pack it in place. Don’t pack it so hard that you compress it too much, but firm it up enough that it won’t just settle and leave gaps.
Watch for Connected Tunnels: If material starts coming out of other holes while you’re filling one, you know you’ve found connected tunnels. Fill the connected holes at the same time to prevent material from just moving around underground.
Fill to Ground Level: Continue adding material until it’s level with the surrounding ground. You don’t want it mounded up high, but you also don’t want it to sink below the surface.
Work systematically from one area to another so you don’t miss any holes or accidentally fill the same hole twice.
7. Cover and Finish the Surface Area
After filling chipmunk holes with your chosen material, you need to finish the surface properly to blend the filled areas with the rest of your yard and prevent the chipmunks from easily finding and re-digging the spots.
Add a Layer of Topsoil: Cover each filled hole with 2 to 3 inches of good quality topsoil. This serves several purposes. It hides the filling material from view, gives you a surface where grass or plants can grow, and makes it harder for chipmunks to detect where their old holes used to be.
Level Everything Out: Use a rake or your hands to level the topsoil so it matches the height of the surrounding ground. You don’t want bumps or dips that make it obvious where the holes were located.
Add Mulch or Grass Seed: In garden areas, replace any mulch you removed earlier. For lawn areas, sprinkle grass seed over the topsoil and lightly rake it in. The new grass will help the area blend in naturally.
Water Lightly: Give the area a gentle watering to help settle the soil and get any grass seed started. Don’t use too much water, as this might wash away your filling material.
Consider Camouflage: In heavily planted areas, you can add small stones, pine cones, or other natural materials to help camouflage the filled spots. This also makes it less obvious to chipmunks that something has changed.
Mark Your Work: Keep track of where you filled holes by taking notes or photos. This helps you monitor these spots later to make sure the chipmunks don’t return.
The goal is to make the filled areas look as natural as possible while creating a surface that chipmunks will find less appealing for digging new holes.
8. Add Barriers to Stop Future Digging
Installing physical barriers is one of the most effective ways to prevent chipmunks from digging new holes in the same areas. These barriers work by making it much harder for chipmunks to dig, encouraging them to look elsewhere for places to burrow.
Hardware Cloth Barriers: Hardware cloth with 1/4 inch mesh is excellent for protecting specific areas. Bury it 6 to 12 inches deep and extend it 2 to 3 feet above ground. This works especially well around foundations, garden beds, and other problem areas. The small mesh size prevents chipmunks from squeezing through while still allowing water and air to pass.
Gravel Borders: Create 2 to 3 foot wide borders of gravel around buildings, sheds, and other structures where chipmunks like to dig. The loose gravel makes digging difficult and uncomfortable for their small paws. Plus, gravel borders look neat and help with drainage.
Underground Fencing: For larger areas, install fencing that goes at least 8 inches underground. Make sure there are no gaps larger than 2 inches anywhere in the fence, as chipmunks can squeeze through surprisingly small spaces.
Rock Mulch: In garden areas, consider replacing organic mulch with decorative rock mulch around vulnerable plants. The rocks make digging much more difficult while still looking attractive.
Concrete Barriers: Around patios, walkways, and foundations, pour a concrete border that extends a few inches underground. This creates a permanent barrier that chipmunks cannot dig through.
Remember that barriers work best when combined with other methods. They’re particularly effective around high-value areas like vegetable gardens or expensive landscaping where you really don’t want chipmunk damage.
9. Use Natural Methods to Keep Chipmunks Away
Natural deterrents can be very effective at keeping chipmunks away from areas where you’ve filled holes. These methods are safe for pets, children, and the environment while still being unpleasant enough to discourage chipmunks.
Cayenne Pepper: Sprinkle cayenne pepper around filled holes and problem areas. The spicy powder irritates chipmunks’ noses, mouths, and paws, teaching them to avoid these spots. Reapply after rain or watering. You can buy cayenne pepper in bulk at warehouse stores to save money.
Coffee Grounds: Used coffee grounds work double duty in gardens. They help deter chipmunks while adding nutrients that acid-loving plants like azaleas and blueberries love. Ask your local coffee shop for their used grounds – most are happy to give them away.
Peppermint Oil: Soak cotton balls in peppermint oil and place them in small containers with holes around the area. The strong scent bothers chipmunks but smells pleasant to people. Replace the cotton balls every few weeks or after heavy rain.
Hot Pepper Spray: Mix hot pepper sauce with water in a spray bottle and apply it around filled holes and nearby plants. This creates an invisible barrier that chipmunks will learn to avoid. Use about 1 tablespoon of hot sauce per cup of water.
Predator Scents: Products containing fox or coyote urine can convince chipmunks that predators are in the area. These are available at many garden centers and hunting supply stores. Follow the package directions for application.
Plant Natural Repellents: Certain plants naturally repel chipmunks. Consider planting daffodils, alliums, marigolds, or geraniums around problem areas. These plants are either toxic to chipmunks or have scents they dislike.
Rotate between different deterrents every few weeks so chipmunks don’t get used to any one scent or taste.
10. Check Your Work and Watch for New Holes
Filling chipmunk holes isn’t a one-time job. Success requires ongoing monitoring and maintenance to make sure your efforts are working and to catch any new activity early.
Daily Checks for the First Week: For the first week after filling holes, check the area daily for signs of new digging. Look for fresh holes, disturbed soil, or partially filled holes that chipmunks might be trying to reopen. Early detection makes it much easier to address problems.
Weekly Monitoring: After the first week, check weekly for new activity. Walk the same route each time so you don’t miss anything. Take photos if you’re not sure whether a hole is new or if you just missed it during filling.
Signs Your Method is Working: You’ll know your filling method is successful when you stop seeing new holes in the same areas, the filled holes stay filled, and you notice less chipmunk activity overall in your yard.
What to Do if Holes Reappear: If chipmunks dig new holes near where you filled old ones, they might be trying to access the same tunnel system from a different angle. Fill the new holes using the same method and consider adding more deterrents to the area.
Reapply Deterrents: Natural deterrents like cayenne pepper and coffee grounds need regular reapplication, especially after rain or watering. Set up a schedule to refresh these every 2 to 3 weeks.
Keep Records: Write down where you filled holes, what materials you used, and when you did the work. This information helps you see patterns and figure out which methods work best in your yard.
Seasonal Considerations: Chipmunk activity changes with the seasons. They’re most active in spring and fall, so you might see more new holes during these times. Winter activity is minimal, but don’t forget to check occasionally.
11. Remove Things That Attract Chipmunks
The best long-term solution for preventing chipmunk holes is making your yard less attractive to chipmunks in the first place. By removing food sources and hiding places, you encourage them to set up homes elsewhere.
Clean Up Food Sources: Bird feeders are chipmunk magnets. If you feed birds, use feeders with trays to catch fallen seeds, or place feeders at least 30 feet away from buildings. Clean up any spilled pet food daily, and store pet food in sealed containers.
Remove Hiding Places: Chipmunks love places where they can hide and feel safe. Move woodpiles away from your house, clean up brush piles, and remove rock piles where possible. If you must keep these items, place them as far from your home as possible.
Manage Your Landscape: Trim back overgrown shrubs and bushes, especially those near your foundation. Chipmunks prefer areas with lots of cover, so keeping your landscape neat and open makes it less appealing to them.
Create Open Spaces: Maintain open, mowed areas between wooded areas and your home. This removes the protected pathways that chipmunks prefer for traveling. A 20-foot open space is usually enough to discourage them.
Secure Garbage: Make sure garbage cans have tight-fitting lids and don’t leave bags sitting out. Even small amounts of food waste can attract chipmunks and other animals.
Garden Management: Clean up fallen fruit promptly, harvest vegetables as soon as they’re ripe, and consider using row covers to protect vulnerable crops. Plant bulbs that chipmunks dislike, such as daffodils, instead of their favorites like tulips.
Foundation Maintenance: Seal any cracks or gaps in your foundation where chipmunks might enter. Use concrete, steel wool, or hardware cloth to block access points.
Making these changes takes time, but the effort pays off by reducing the number of chipmunks attracted to your property in the first place.
12. Know When to Call for Professional Help
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, chipmunk problems are too big or complicated to handle on your own. Knowing when to call professionals can save you time, money, and frustration while ensuring the problem gets solved properly.
Large Infestations: If you’re dealing with more than 10 active holes or keep finding new ones faster than you can fill them, you might have a large family group or multiple families of chipmunks. Professional pest control services have the tools and experience to handle big infestations safely and effectively.
Structural Concerns: When chipmunk tunnels threaten the stability of patios, foundations, or walkways, it’s time for professional help. Structural damage from extensive tunneling can be expensive to repair, so getting expert advice early can save money in the long run.
Repeated Failures: If you’ve tried filling chipmunk holes multiple times using different methods and materials, but the chipmunks keep coming back, professionals can help identify what you might be missing. They can also access more powerful tools and methods that aren’t available to homeowners.
Legal and Safety Issues: Some areas have laws about how you can handle wildlife, and professionals know these regulations. They also have the proper equipment and training to handle situations safely, especially when dealing with large numbers of animals.
Time and Convenience: If you simply don’t have the time or physical ability to handle the problem yourself, hiring professionals might be worth the cost. They can typically solve chipmunk problems faster and more thoroughly than homeowners working alone.
What to Expect from Professionals: Good wildlife control services will inspect your property, identify the extent of the problem, explain your options, and provide a written estimate. They should use humane methods and offer guarantees on their work.
Before hiring anyone, check their licenses, read reviews, and get quotes from multiple companies. Make sure they explain their methods and offer some kind of warranty on their work.
Remember, the goal is solving your chipmunk problem permanently, not just temporarily reducing the number of holes.
