Expert Tips: How To Get Rid Of Armadillos From Your Yard Safely and Naturally

Can you get rid of armadillos from your yard safely and naturally? Yes, you absolutely can! This comprehensive guide will walk you through effective, humane, and natural methods for dealing with armadillo problems, ensuring your yard remains a peaceful retreat without harming these unique creatures. We’ll cover everything from understanding why they’re in your yard to implementing long-term solutions that make your property less appealing to them.

Armadillos, with their distinctive bony armor, are fascinating creatures, but their digging habits can wreak havoc on gardens, lawns, and even foundations. If you’re finding holes scattered across your property, you’re likely dealing with these nocturnal diggers. Fortunately, you don’t need harsh chemicals or cruel traps to manage them. This article provides in-depth advice on armadillo pest control using methods that are both effective and eco-friendly.

Why Are Armadillos Invading Your Yard?

Before we dive into removal techniques, it’s important to comprehend why armadillos choose your yard as their dining and dwelling place. Their presence usually indicates a readily available food source and suitable habitat.

Food Availability: Armadillos are primarily insectivores. They feast on insects, grubs, earthworms, ants, termites, and other invertebrates found in the soil. Lawns with rich soil and a healthy population of these critters are a magnet for them. If your soil is damp and full of life, armadillos will see it as an all-you-can-eat buffet.
Shelter: Armadillos need safe places to live, especially for raising young and escaping predators or extreme weather. They dig burrows in soft soil, often under sheds, porches, decks, fallen logs, or dense vegetation. Areas with good cover and undisturbed soil are prime real estate.
Water Sources: Like all animals, armadillos need water. Access to ponds, puddles, or even consistently moist garden areas can contribute to their presence.
Grubs and Other Soil-Dwelling Pests: Ironically, the very pests you might be trying to eliminate from your lawn (like grubs) are what attract armadillos in the first place.

Natural Armadillo Repellents: Making Your Yard Less Appealing

The most effective way to get rid of armadillos is to make your yard an unpleasant place for them to be. This involves using natural armadillo repellents that disrupt their senses of smell and taste, or make their food sources inaccessible.

Scent-Based Deterrents

Armadillos have a keen sense of smell, which they use to locate food. Strong, unpleasant odors can drive them away.

Castor Oil: This is a popular and generally safe option. When applied to the soil, castor oil can create an unpleasant texture and taste for the armadillos as they dig and forage. You can mix castor oil with water and a bit of mild soap to help it emulsify and spray it around areas where armadillos are active, especially along the perimeter of your garden beds. Reapplication is usually needed after rain.
Cayenne Pepper or Chili Powder: The capsaicin in these spices can irritate an armadillo’s sensitive nose and feet. Sprinkle liberally around burrow entrances, vegetable gardens, and areas where they frequently dig. Be cautious when handling and avoid inhaling the powder.
Garlic and Onion: The strong odor of garlic and onions can be off-putting to armadillos. You can chop up garlic cloves and onions and scatter them around your yard or create a garlic spray by boiling minced garlic and onions in water, letting it steep, straining, and then spraying the liquid.
Peppermint Oil: Essential oils, particularly peppermint oil, are known to deter many pests. Mix a few drops of peppermint oil with water in a spray bottle and apply it to affected areas. The strong scent can disorient and discourage them.
Used Coffee Grounds: Some gardeners report success with used coffee grounds. The scent and texture may be unpleasant for armadillos. Scatter used coffee grounds generously around your garden and lawn.

Taste-Based Deterrents

These methods focus on making the soil or plants unappetizing.

Vinegar: The strong scent and taste of vinegar can deter armadillos. Mix equal parts white vinegar and water and spray it around the perimeter of your lawn and garden. Like other spray deterrents, it will need frequent reapplication.

Important Note on Natural Repellents: Natural repellents often require consistent application and may not be 100% effective on their own, especially if the armadillo population is large or food sources are abundant. They are best used as part of a multi-pronged approach.

Armadillo Exclusion: Building Barriers

One of the most effective ways to prevent armadillos from digging and burrowing is to create physical barriers. This is part of armadillo exclusion and armadillo proofing yard strategies.

Burying Fencing

What to Use: Galvanized hardware cloth or sturdy wire mesh fencing is ideal. Ensure the mesh is fine enough to prevent small animals from squeezing through.
How to Install: Dig a trench about 12-18 inches deep around the perimeter of your yard, garden, or specific areas you want to protect. Bury the fencing vertically in the trench. Crucially, bend the bottom 6-8 inches of the fencing outward at a 90-degree angle before backfilling the trench. This “L-shape” prevents armadillos from digging underneath the barrier. The top of the fence should also extend at least 2-3 feet above ground.
Considerations: While effective, this is labor-intensive and can be costly for large areas. It’s best suited for protecting valuable garden beds or the immediate vicinity of your home’s foundation.

Securing Structures

Armadillos love to burrow under sheds, decks, and porches.

Skirting: Install solid skirting made of wood, concrete, or sturdy metal around these structures. Ensure there are no gaps where an armadillo can enter. Bury the skirting slightly into the ground to prevent them from digging underneath.
Solid Fill: For crawl spaces under decks, consider filling the perimeter with gravel or concrete to deter digging.

Rodent-Proofing and Pest Control

Address Grub Infestations: Since grubs are a primary food source, consider humane armadillo removal by first removing their food. Apply beneficial nematodes or milky spore disease to your lawn. These target grub populations naturally without harming other beneficial insects or the armadillos themselves.
Reduce Insect Access: Seal cracks and crevices in your home’s foundation and walls. This prevents insects like ants and termites from finding shelter, which in turn makes your home less attractive to armadillos hunting them.

Stopping Armadillos Digging: Managing Burrowing Behavior

Stopping armadillos digging requires understanding their motivations and making their burrowing activities impossible or undesirable.

Occupied Burrow Management

If you find an occupied burrow, the most humane approach is to wait for the armadillo to leave. Armadillos typically only use a burrow for a few days before moving on to dig a new one.

Observation: Try to observe the burrow during dusk and dawn, their active periods.
Gentle Deterrence: Once you suspect the burrow is empty, you can try filling it in. However, if you’re unsure, or if the burrow is near your home’s foundation, more direct armadillo burrow control might be necessary.
Blocking Entrances: After they’ve left, block the burrow entrances with soil, rocks, or concrete. This is a crucial step in armadillo exclusion.

Creating Unfavorable Burrowing Conditions

Soil Compaction: Armadillos prefer soft, loose soil. If you have areas of very soft soil, consider lightly compacting them or adding a layer of mulch or gravel.
Moisture Control: While armadillos do need water, excessively moist soil can make digging easier. Address any persistent drainage issues in your yard.

Trapping Armadillos: Humane and Effective Options

While natural repellents and exclusion methods are preferred, trapping armadillos can be an option in certain situations, especially for severe infestations. It’s essential to use humane traps and understand local regulations regarding trapping and relocation.

Live Traps

Type of Trap: Live traps, often called Havahart traps, are the most humane option. Choose a trap sized appropriately for an armadillo.
Baiting: Armadillos are attracted to insects. Try baiting the trap with mealworms, earthworms, or grubs. A small amount of fruit like bananas or melons can also be used. Place the bait at the back of the trap.
Placement: Set the trap near active burrows or frequently traveled paths.
Checking the Trap: Check the trap frequently – at least twice a day, morning and evening. Never leave a trapped animal out in the sun or in freezing temperatures.
Relocation: If you catch an armadillo, you’ll need to relocate it. Check your local wildlife agency’s guidelines. Relocation is often restricted due to concerns about spreading diseases or introducing animals into unsuitable environments. Relocating an armadillo too far from its territory might also be detrimental to the animal. Releasing it a few miles away on suitable habitat might be an option if permitted.
Important Considerations: Trapping is often a temporary solution. If the underlying reasons for the armadillo’s presence (food, shelter) aren’t addressed, other armadillos will likely move in.

Professional Removal Services

If you’re uncomfortable with trapping or if the problem persists, consider hiring a professional wildlife removal service specializing in humane armadillo removal. They have the expertise and equipment to safely and legally remove armadillos from your property. Ensure they practice humane methods.

Armadillo Deterrents: A Proactive Approach

Armadillo deterrents are methods and products designed to keep them away. This encompasses all the strategies we’ve discussed: making your yard unappealing through scent and taste, building physical barriers, and controlling their food sources. A proactive approach combines several of these tactics for maximum effectiveness.

Maintaining Your Landscape

Remove Debris: Clear away fallen logs, brush piles, and dense vegetation where armadillos might seek shelter.
Secure Trash Cans: Ensure your garbage cans are tightly sealed, as they can attract insects and other food sources that draw armadillos.
Water Management: Fix leaky faucets or irrigation systems that create consistently moist areas.

Using Motion-Activated Sprinklers

These devices can be surprisingly effective. When an armadillo approaches, the sprinkler activates, startling the animal with a burst of water. This can disrupt their foraging and encourage them to seek quieter, undisturbed areas.

Addressing the Root Cause: Sustainable Armadillo Management

Effective armadillo pest control isn’t just about removing the current problem; it’s about creating a long-term solution. This means addressing why they are attracted to your yard in the first place.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Consider an IPM approach, which emphasizes prevention, non-chemical methods, and targeted interventions. This aligns perfectly with using natural repellents and exclusion techniques.
Soil Health: While you want to reduce grubs, maintaining a healthy soil ecosystem is still important. Focus on sustainable lawn care practices that don’t rely on excessive chemical fertilizers or pesticides, which can sometimes harm beneficial soil organisms that help keep grub populations in check naturally.
Community Awareness: If your neighbors are also experiencing armadillo problems, consider discussing shared strategies. A neighborhood-wide approach to habitat modification can be much more effective.

What to Avoid When Dealing with Armadillos

Lethal Methods: Poisoning, shooting, or using kill traps are generally inhumane, often illegal, and can harm non-target animals, including pets and beneficial wildlife.
Harsh Chemicals: While some chemical repellents exist, they can be harmful to your pets, children, beneficial insects, and the environment. Stick to natural and safe alternatives whenever possible.
Ignoring the Problem: Armadillos can cause significant structural damage to foundations, crawl spaces, and underground utilities. Early intervention is key.

Frequently Asked Questions About Armadillos

Q1: Are armadillos dangerous?

Armadillos are generally not dangerous to humans. They are shy and timid creatures and will typically try to escape rather than confront a threat. They can dig holes, which can be a tripping hazard, and their sharp claws can inflict a minor scratch if they feel cornered, but they do not attack. They are also known to carry and transmit leprosy to humans, so it’s best to avoid direct contact and wear gloves if you must handle them.

Q2: Can armadillos damage my house foundation?

Yes, armadillos can cause damage to house foundations, especially if they decide to burrow underneath them. Their digging can weaken the soil around the foundation, and in some cases, they might even create entry points into crawl spaces or basements if there are existing gaps or weak spots. This underscores the importance of armadillo exclusion around structures.

Q3: How often do I need to reapply natural armadillo repellents?

The frequency depends on the type of repellent and environmental factors. Rain will wash away sprays and powders, so reapplication after rainfall is crucial. Generally, you might need to reapply scent-based repellents every few days to a week to maintain their effectiveness.

Q4: What is the best time of year to implement armadillo control measures?

While you can implement control measures year-round, spring and early summer are when armadillos are most active and may be establishing new territories or burrows. Addressing the problem before or during this period can be more effective.

Q5: Can I use ultrasonic devices to deter armadillos?

While ultrasonic devices are marketed as pest deterrents, their effectiveness against armadillos is largely unproven. Armadillos rely more on smell and touch than hearing for foraging, so these devices may not be a reliable armadillo deterrent.

Q6: My neighbor has armadillos, and they keep coming into my yard. What can I do?

This highlights the need for a cooperative approach. Discuss your concerns with your neighbor and explore implementing exclusion and deterrent methods on both properties. A unified effort is more likely to succeed in stopping armadillos digging and roaming the neighborhood.

By focusing on creating an unwelcoming environment through natural repellents, effective exclusion, and addressing their food sources, you can successfully manage armadillo populations on your property. Remember, patience and consistency are key to achieving a yard free from unwanted digging and burrowing.