Proven Ways How To Deter Armadillos From Yard

What are the best ways to keep armadillos out of my yard? The most effective ways to deter armadillos involve a combination of habitat modification, physical barriers, repellents, and discouraging their food sources.

Armadillos, with their distinctive bony armor and impressive digging skills, can quickly turn a manicured lawn into a series of unsightly divots. These fascinating creatures, though often beneficial insectivores, can become unwelcome guests when their digging habits disrupt gardens, landscapes, and even foundations. Fortunately, a variety of proven methods exist to discourage these nine-banded visitors and protect your property. This comprehensive guide will explore effective strategies for keeping armadillos out of your garden and yard, focusing on humane armadillo removal and prevention.

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Deciphering Armadillo Behavior for Effective Deterrence

To successfully deter armadillos, it’s crucial to understand their habits and needs. Armadillos are primarily nocturnal, emerging at dusk to forage. They are drawn to areas with abundant insect life, particularly grubs, beetles, ants, and termites, which they locate by smell and then unearth with their powerful claws. Their digging is primarily for finding food, but they also excavate burrows for shelter.

What Attracts Armadillos?

Several factors make a yard an inviting haven for armadillos:

• Abundant Food Sources: Moist soil rich in insects is a primary attractant. Overwatering lawns or gardens can create ideal foraging conditions.
• Shelter: Dense vegetation, brush piles, woodpiles, and cluttered areas offer safe havens for armadillos to rest and escape predators.
• Accessible Burrows: Existing burrows, such as those dug by rabbits or gophers, can be readily adopted by armadillos.
• Moist Soil: Armadillos prefer damp soil for easy digging and to keep their skin from drying out.

Why Armadillos Dig

The primary reasons armadillos dig are:

• Foraging for Insects: This is their most common activity. Their keen sense of smell allows them to detect insect larvae and adults beneath the soil surface.
• Excavating Burrows: They dig burrows for nesting, sleeping, and protection from predators and extreme weather. These burrows can be extensive and often have multiple entrances.
• Seeking Water: In dry periods, they may dig in moist areas, like near leaky faucets or irrigation systems.

Proven Strategies for Armadillo Deterrence

Employing a multi-pronged approach is key to effectively deterring armadillos. Combining several of these methods will yield the best results in discouraging armadillos.

1. Habitat Modification: Making Your Yard Less Appealing

The simplest and often most effective way to deter armadillos is to remove what attracts them.

Removing Food Sources

• Reduce Insect Populations: This is paramount. Healthy lawn care practices that minimize insect infestations will naturally make your yard less attractive.
  • Proper Watering: Avoid overwatering. Water deeply but infrequently to encourage deeper root growth, which can deter some surface-dwelling insects.
  • Reduce Thatch: Excessive thatch can harbor insects. Dethatch your lawn annually.
  • Natural Pest Control: Use beneficial nematodes or other organic methods to control grub populations.
  • Clean Up Spills: Pet food and birdseed spills can attract insects, which in turn attract armadillos.

Eliminating Shelter

• Clear Brush Piles and Debris: Armadillos seek cover. Remove any leaf litter, woodpiles, compost heaps, or overgrown areas that provide hiding places.
• Seal Off Potential Shelters: Block access to spaces under sheds, decks, porches, and crawl spaces. Use sturdy materials like hardware cloth or concrete.
• Trim Dense Vegetation: Keep shrubs and ground cover trimmed back from the foundation of your home and other structures.

2. Physical Barriers: Building a Defense

Physical barriers are excellent for preventing armadillos digging in specific areas, like gardens or around structures.

Armadillo Fencing

Constructing effective armadillo fencing is a reliable method. The key is to create a barrier that armadillos cannot easily breach or tunnel under.

• Height: The fence should be at least 2 to 3 feet tall.
• Material: Use sturdy materials like galvanized hardware cloth (1/2-inch mesh is ideal), wire mesh, or solid wood.
• Depth: This is crucial. Bury the bottom of the fence at least 12 to 18 inches into the ground. This prevents them from digging underneath.
• Inward Lape: Bend the bottom 6 inches of the fence outward at a 90-degree angle (forming an “L” shape). This buried flange makes it harder for them to dig under. You can also place rocks or pavers along the base.

Table: Armadillo Fencing Specifications

Feature	Recommendation
Height	2-3 feet
Material	Galvanized hardware cloth (1/2-inch mesh), wire mesh, solid wood
Burial Depth	12-18 inches
Base Reinforcement	6-inch inward outward bend, rocks, or pavers

Protecting Gardens and Flower Beds

Specific areas can be further protected:

• Raised Beds: Planting in raised beds makes them less accessible.
• Wire Mesh Liners: Line the bottom and sides of raised beds with hardware cloth before filling them with soil.
• Edging: Use sturdy, buried edging materials around garden beds.

3. Repellents: Discouraging with Scent and Taste

Armadillo repellent options can be effective, particularly when used consistently. While there’s no single magical solution, combining different repellent types can enhance their effectiveness.

Natural Armadillo Deterrents

Many gardeners prefer natural armadillo deterrents that are safe for pets, children, and the environment.

• Castor Oil: This is a popular repellent for armadillos. Mix castor oil with water and a small amount of biodegradable liquid soap (to help emulsify the oil and water). Spray generously around the perimeter of your yard, garden beds, and any areas where armadillos have been active. Reapply after rain.

  • DIY Castor Oil Spray:
    • 2 tablespoons castor oil
    • 1 tablespoon biodegradable liquid soap
    • 1 gallon of water
    • Mix well and spray liberally.

• Essential Oils: Certain strong-smelling essential oils can deter armadillos. Peppermint oil, castor oil, eucalyptus oil, and citronella oil are often cited.

  • Application: Soak cotton balls or rags in these oils and place them strategically around affected areas, reapplying every few days as the scent fades. Be cautious with essential oils around pets, as some can be toxic if ingested.

• Garlic and Pepper Sprays: A mixture of garlic, cayenne pepper, and water can create an unpleasant taste and smell for armadillos.

  • DIY Garlic/Pepper Spray:
    • 1 whole bulb of garlic, minced
    • 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
    • 1 quart of water
    • Let steep for 24 hours, strain, and spray.

• Predator Urine: Products containing the urine of natural predators like coyotes or foxes can create a scent that makes armadillos feel unsafe. Follow product instructions for application.

• Coffee Grounds: Some anecdotal evidence suggests that used coffee grounds can deter armadillos, possibly due to the caffeine or the scent. Sprinkle generously around the yard.

Commercial Repellents

A variety of commercial armadillo repellent products are available. These often contain ingredients like castor oil, essential oils, or predator urines. Always read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.

• Granular Repellents: These are sprinkled on the ground.
• Liquid Sprays: These can be applied to lawns and garden areas.

Important Note on Repellents: Armadillos have a strong sense of smell, but they can become accustomed to a particular scent over time. Rotating different types of repellents for armadillos or reapplying them frequently is often necessary for continued effectiveness.

4. Discouraging Food Sources Directly

Beyond general insect control, consider these specific tactics:

• Secure Trash Cans: Armadillos may be attracted to the insects that gather around decaying food waste. Ensure trash cans have tight-fitting lids.
• Remove Fallen Fruit: Rotting fruit attracts insects, which then attract armadillos. Clean up any fallen fruit from trees promptly.
• Avoid Over-Fertilizing: Excessive fertilizer can promote insect growth.

5. Trapping and Relocation (Humane Removal)

While deterrence is preferred, in cases of persistent infestation, humane armadillo removal through trapping might be considered.

• Live Traps: Use a large live trap (e.g., a Havahart trap for raccoons or similar-sized animals).
• Bait: Use earthworms, mealworms, or canned sardines as bait. Place the bait in the back of the trap to ensure the armadillo enters fully.
• Placement: Set traps along known armadillo pathways or near active burrows.
• Check Traps Frequently: It is crucial to check traps at least twice a day (morning and evening) to avoid stressing or harming the trapped animal.
• Relocation: If you trap an armadillo, relocation must be done responsibly. Check local wildlife regulations, as it is illegal in some areas to relocate wildlife. If permitted, choose a suitable habitat far from residential areas, ideally with access to water and food sources. Releasing an armadillo into an unfamiliar territory can be detrimental to its survival.

Ethical Considerations: Trapping should be a last resort. Many wildlife removal services offer humane trapping and relocation. If you are uncomfortable with the process, consider contacting a professional.

6. Other Deterrent Methods

• Motion-Activated Sprinklers: These can startle armadillos and other nocturnal animals, discouraging them from entering specific areas.
• Sound Devices: Some ultrasonic devices claim to repel pests, but their effectiveness against armadillos is often debated and can be inconsistent.

Preventing Armadillos Digging in Specific Areas

Targeting specific problem areas is often more effective than trying to protect an entire yard.

Garden Protection

• Buried Wire Mesh: As mentioned, lining garden beds with hardware cloth before planting is a highly effective barrier.
• Solid Edging: Use solid, buried barriers like landscape timbers or stone walls to create a physical deterrent around raised beds or entire gardens. Ensure these are well-seated in the ground.
• Natural Repellents: Apply homemade armadillo repellents or commercial products around the perimeter of your garden.

Lawn Protection

• Reduce Grub Infestations: This is the most direct way to stop armadillos from digging up your lawn in search of food.
• Fill Existing Holes: Promptly fill in any armadillo holes to prevent them from becoming larger or attracting more animals.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Deterring Armadillos

Here are answers to common questions about keeping armadillos away:

Q1: Will ammonia or mothballs deter armadillos?

A1: While ammonia and mothballs are sometimes suggested as repellents, they are generally not recommended. Ammonia is toxic and can harm plants and other wildlife. Mothballs are also toxic and can be harmful to pets and children if ingested. Their effectiveness is also often short-lived and can be unpleasant for humans as well. It’s better to stick to safer and more targeted natural armadillo deterrents.

Q2: Can I use strong scents like bleach or ammonia around my yard?

A2: It is strongly advised not to use bleach or ammonia. These chemicals are toxic and can harm your lawn, plants, pets, and other beneficial wildlife. They are not considered humane or environmentally sound armadillo control methods.

Q3: How quickly do these methods work?

A3: The effectiveness of deterrence methods varies. Physical barriers like armadillo fencing provide immediate protection. Repellents may take time and consistent application to become effective as the armadillo learns to avoid the treated areas. Habitat modification, like removing food sources, provides long-term benefits.

Q4: Are armadillos dangerous?

A4: Armadillos are generally not aggressive towards humans. They are more likely to flee or curl into a ball (only the three-banded armadillo can do this). However, they can carry leprosy, and it’s important to avoid direct contact with them and their droppings. If you encounter an injured armadillo, contact animal control.

Q5: What if an armadillo has burrowed under my house?

A5: If an armadillo has burrowed under your house or foundation, this is a serious issue that needs prompt attention. The burrow can weaken structures and provide entry points for other pests. You will likely need to use humane armadillo removal techniques, potentially involving professional assistance, to safely get the animal out and then permanently seal the entry points with sturdy materials like concrete or metal flashing. Simply blocking an entrance might trap the animal inside, leading to potential damage and odor.

Q6: Are there any plants that armadillos dislike?

A6: While not a primary deterrent, some gardeners report that armadillos tend to avoid areas with dense, thorny ground cover or plants with strong scents like rue or lavender. However, relying solely on plants is unlikely to be effective for serious armadillo control methods.

Q7: My dog keeps trying to dig up armadillos. What can I do?

A7: To prevent armadillos digging near your pets or to stop your dog from bothering them, consider using armadillo fencing around sensitive areas where the armadillos are active. You can also use repellents in areas your dog frequents, but ensure the repellents are safe for pets. If your dog is digging, consult a professional trainer to address the digging behavior.

Conclusion: A Comprehensive Approach to Armadillo Management

Effectively deterring armadillos from your yard requires a consistent and multi-faceted strategy. By understanding their needs and habits, you can make your property less attractive to them. Implementing habitat modification, installing robust armadillo fencing, utilizing safe and effective repellents for armadillos, and taking steps to prevent armadillos digging in key areas are all vital components of successful armadillo control methods. Remember to always prioritize humane and environmentally friendly solutions when dealing with wildlife. With patience and persistence, you can reclaim your yard from these persistent diggers and enjoy a pest-free outdoor space.