Can you keep armadillos out of your garden? Yes, you can! By using a combination of deterrents, barriers, and exclusion methods, you can effectively keep armadillos out of your garden and protect your plants. This guide will explore five proven ways to deter armadillos and safeguard your garden from their digging habits.
Armadillos, with their unique bony armor and impressive digging skills, can be a real nuisance for gardeners. Their primary goal is to find food – grubs, insects, earthworms, and other invertebrates – which often leads them straight to our well-tended flower beds and vegetable patches. As they dig, they can unearth delicate plants, damage roots, and leave unsightly holes that are not only unattractive but also tripping hazards. Fathoming how to manage these creatures is key to successful garden protection. This article delves into practical and effective strategies to deter armadillos, stop armadillos from entering your garden, and implement lasting garden protection. We’ll focus on humane armadillo control and natural armadillo deterrents to ensure your garden remains a safe haven for your plants and a less appealing destination for these burrowing mammals.
Why Armadillos Visit Gardens
Before we dive into the solutions, it’s helpful to grasp why armadillos are attracted to gardens in the first place. Gardens, especially those with rich, moist soil and plenty of organic matter, are prime hunting grounds for armadillos. They possess a keen sense of smell and can detect prey hidden just beneath the surface.
- Food Source: The most significant draw is the abundance of insects, grubs, earthworms, and other invertebrates that thrive in garden soil. These are a staple of an armadillo’s diet.
- Ideal Habitat: Soft, loamy soil, often found in well-maintained gardens, is easy for armadillos to dig into. They also appreciate areas with ground cover that provides shelter and moisture.
- Water Sources: Access to water, like leaky hoses or ponds, can also attract them.
5 Ways to Deter and Protect Your Garden from Armadillos
Effectively keeping armadillos out of your garden involves a multi-pronged approach. Focusing on making your garden less attractive and less accessible is the most humane and sustainable way to achieve this.
1. Physical Barriers: The First Line of Defense
One of the most effective ways to stop armadillos is by physically preventing their access to your garden. This involves creating robust armadillo barriers that they cannot breach.
Creating a Secure Fence
A well-constructed fence is perhaps the most reliable method for armadillo exclusion. However, not just any fence will do. Armadillos are surprisingly adept at digging and can burrow under flimsy barriers.
- Material Choice:
- Hardware Cloth: This is an excellent material. It’s made of galvanized steel wire woven into a mesh. A 1/2-inch or 1/4-inch mesh is ideal to prevent even smaller armadillos from squeezing through.
- Galvanized Steel Sheet Metal: This is also effective but can be more costly and harder to work with.
- Depth is Key: The crucial element for an effective fence is burying it deep enough into the ground. Armadillos are diggers, so you need to prevent armadillo digging by extending the barrier downwards.
- Recommendation: Bury the fence at least 12 to 18 inches deep. This depth makes it difficult for them to excavate underneath.
- The L-Footer: To further strengthen the barrier against digging, create an “L-footer.” This involves bending the bottom 6 inches of the hardware cloth outwards, forming an L-shape at the base of the fence. This outward bend makes it harder for them to get leverage to dig under. When burying, ensure this L-shape lies flat on the ground, with the ground surface covering it.
- Height Matters: While depth is critical for digging, the fence also needs adequate height. Armadillos can climb to some extent, though they are not proficient climbers.
- Recommendation: A fence height of at least 2 to 3 feet is generally sufficient.
- Gate Security: Ensure all gates are equally secure. They should fit snugly and also incorporate the same depth and L-footer principle if possible. Keep gates closed at all times.
Examples of Effective Fencing:
- Treated Wood Posts with Hardware Cloth: Use sturdy wooden posts driven firmly into the ground. Attach the hardware cloth securely to these posts using heavy-duty staples or screws.
- Rolled Hardware Cloth Fencing: You can purchase fencing rolls designed for animal exclusion. Ensure you have enough material to achieve the recommended depth and L-footer.
Table: Fence Construction Checklist
| Feature | Recommendation | Why it Works |
|---|---|---|
| Material | 1/2-inch or 1/4-inch hardware cloth | Strong, small mesh prevents passage and deter digging. |
| Depth | 12-18 inches below ground | Prevents burrowing underneath. |
| L-Footer | 6-inch outward bend at the base | Denies leverage for digging under the barrier. |
| Height | 2-3 feet above ground | Discourages climbing over. |
| Gate Security | Snug fit, potentially with L-footer, always closed | Prevents entry through openings. |
2. Repellents: Making Your Garden Unappealing
Using armadillo repellent is another strategy to deter armadillos. While no repellent is 100% foolproof, a combination of scents and tastes can make your garden an undesirable location for them. It’s important to note that repellents often require reapplication, especially after rain or watering.
Natural Armadillo Deterrents
Many gardeners prefer to use natural armadillo deterrents to avoid harsh chemicals. These often rely on strong smells or tastes that armadillos dislike.
- Castor Oil: This is a widely recommended natural repellent. Armadillos dislike the taste and texture of castor oil.
- How to Use: Mix castor oil with water and a small amount of liquid dish soap (to help the oil emulsify). Apply this mixture liberally to the soil and plants in your garden, especially around the perimeter. You can use a garden sprayer for this.
- Frequency: Reapply every few weeks or after heavy rain.
- Garlic: The strong odor of garlic can be off-putting to armadillos.
- How to Use: You can crush garlic cloves and scatter them around the garden, or create a garlic spray by blending garlic with water and spraying it on the soil.
- Cayenne Pepper/Hot Pepper Flakes: Armadillos are sensitive to spicy substances.
- How to Use: Sprinkle cayenne pepper or hot pepper flakes around the garden beds. Be cautious when handling these as they can irritate your skin and eyes. Reapply frequently.
- Ammonia-Soaked Rags: The smell of ammonia is also thought to deter armadillos.
- How to Use: Soak rags in household ammonia and place them strategically around your garden’s perimeter, particularly near entry points. This method needs frequent refreshing as the ammonia smell dissipates.
- Peppermint Oil: The strong scent of peppermint can be a deterrent.
- How to Use: Mix peppermint essential oil with water and a bit of dish soap. Spray this solution around your garden.
Commercial Repellents
There are also commercial armadillo repellent products available, often made from natural ingredients like castor oil or essential oils. Always follow the product instructions carefully for application and safety. Some commercial repellents may also contain predator urine (like fox or coyote urine), which can act as a psychological deterrent.
Important Considerations for Repellents:
- Application: Always apply repellents to the soil and perimeter of the garden, not just on plants, as armadillos primarily forage in the soil.
- Reapplication: Be prepared to reapply repellents regularly, especially after rain or irrigation, as they can wash away.
- Combination: Using a combination of different repellents might be more effective as armadillos can become accustomed to a single scent.
- Taste Aversion: Repellents that affect taste are generally more effective for long-term control armadillo damage.
3. Habitat Modification: Removing the Appeal
Making your garden less attractive to armadillos by modifying the habitat is a crucial aspect of humane armadillo control. If they can’t find food and shelter, they are less likely to visit.
Reducing Food Sources
- Control Insect Populations: While difficult to eliminate entirely, managing lawn and garden pests can reduce the armadillo’s food supply. Healthy soil with a balanced ecosystem is less prone to overwhelming insect infestations.
- Avoid Over-Watering: Armadillos are drawn to moist soil where earthworms and grubs are abundant. Avoid over-watering your lawn and garden, which can create ideal conditions for their prey.
- Clean Up Debris: Remove fallen fruit, vegetable scraps, and compost piles that might attract insects, which in turn attract armadillos.
Eliminating Shelter
- Clear Brush Piles: Armadillos seek shelter in dense vegetation, brush piles, and under sheds or decks. Keeping your yard tidy and removing such hiding spots makes it less appealing.
- Seal Entry Points: If armadillos are burrowing under sheds, decks, or other structures, seal off these areas. Use the same hardware cloth and burial techniques recommended for fencing to block these potential shelters.
4. Creating Traps and Exclusion Zones
For persistent problems, you might consider using traps or creating exclusion zones. This is a more direct way to manage existing populations and stop armadillos.
Live Trapping
Live traps are a humane way to capture armadillos.
- Trap Selection: Use a sufficiently large live trap, typically around 10 inches wide by 12 inches high by 30 inches long, with a solid floor.
- Baiting: Common baits include earthworms, grubs, or canned cat food placed at the back of the trap.
- Placement: Set traps along known armadillo pathways or near their burrows.
- Relocation: If you catch an armadillo, it’s crucial to relocate it responsibly. Check local wildlife regulations regarding trapping and relocating animals. Relocating them far from human habitation is often recommended. Remember that relocating an animal without addressing the attractants in your yard might just mean another armadillo takes its place.
Exclusion Zones
This involves creating a buffer zone around your garden that is actively managed to make it undesirable for armadillos.
- Granular Repellents: Some granular repellents can be spread around the perimeter of your garden. These often contain ingredients like castor oil or essential oils that create an unpleasant sensation when the armadillo encounters them.
- Water Features: While not a deterrent, ensuring water sources are not easily accessible or are properly maintained can help.
5. Maintaining Vigilance and Combining Strategies
The most successful approach to control armadillo damage and ensure long-term garden protection involves combining these methods and remaining vigilant.
- Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Think of armadillo control as part of an overall garden health strategy. By making your garden a less hospitable environment, you naturally reduce their presence.
- Regular Inspections: Periodically inspect your fences and barriers for any signs of damage or potential entry points.
- Consistent Application: Repellents need regular reapplication, and habitat modifications should be an ongoing effort.
- Observe and Adapt: Pay attention to where armadillos are entering or causing the most damage in your garden. This information can help you focus your efforts on the most vulnerable areas.
- Community Effort: If you live in an area with a significant armadillo population, consider discussing armadillo exclusion strategies with your neighbors. A coordinated effort can be more effective.
Dealing with Armadillo Holes
When armadillos have already begun their digging, addressing the holes is important for both garden aesthetics and safety.
- Immediate Repair: Fill in any freshly dug holes promptly. This discourages them from returning to the same spots and prevents potential tripping hazards.
- Soil Compaction: When filling holes, compact the soil firmly to make it less appealing for future digging.
- Monitor for New Activity: After filling holes, remain vigilant. If armadillos are still active in the area, they will likely dig new ones.
Frequently Asked Questions About Armadillos in Gardens
Q1: Are armadillos harmful to humans?
A1: Armadillos are generally not aggressive towards humans. However, they can carry the bacterium that causes leprosy. It is advisable to avoid handling them directly. If you encounter an armadillo, give it space.
Q2: Can armadillos damage my foundation?
A2: While their primary activity is foraging in gardens, armadillos can sometimes burrow under structures like sheds or decks. If they burrow near a house foundation, it could potentially cause minor damage, though this is less common than garden damage. It’s best to prevent armadillo digging near any structures.
Q3: What is the most effective natural armadillo deterrent?
A3: Castor oil is often cited as one of the most effective natural armadillo deterrents due to the unpleasant taste and texture it imparts to the soil. Combining it with other strong scents like garlic or pepper can enhance its effectiveness.
Q4: How quickly do armadillos reproduce?
A4: Armadillos typically give birth to four identical young at a time. The gestation period is around 150 days. This means their population can grow relatively quickly.
Q5: Can I use mothballs to deter armadillos?
A5: While some people have used mothballs, they are generally not recommended as an effective or safe armadillo repellent. Mothballs contain naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene, which are toxic chemicals. Their effectiveness is often temporary, and they can be harmful to children, pets, and other wildlife. There are more humane and effective alternatives.
Q6: What should I do if an armadillo is trapped in my garage?
A6: If an armadillo accidentally gets into your garage, open the garage door widely and block off any other escape routes. Place food or water (like worms or water in a shallow dish) just inside the open door to entice it out. Give it plenty of time and space to leave on its own. Avoid cornering it, as it might become defensive.
Q7: Do armadillos hibernate?
A7: No, armadillos do not hibernate. They are active year-round, which means garden protection measures need to be in place consistently, especially in warmer climates where they are most prevalent.
Q8: Are there any predators that control armadillo populations?
A8: Yes, natural predators like coyotes, bobcats, foxes, large birds of prey (like owls and hawks), and domestic dogs can prey on armadillos. However, in many suburban and urban environments, these natural predators are less common, leading to higher armadillo populations in gardens.
By implementing these five strategies – robust physical barriers, effective repellents, habitat modification, judicious trapping, and consistent vigilance – you can significantly improve your garden protection and keep armadillos from causing damage. Remember, a multi-faceted approach focusing on prevention and making your garden an unappealing destination is the key to humane armadillo control.