Do you have armadillos digging up your yard? This common problem can ruin lawns, gardens, and even damage structures. Fortunately, there are several effective ways to get rid of armadillos in your yard. You can deter them, remove them safely, or prevent them from returning.
Armadillos are fascinating creatures, but their burrowing habits can cause significant damage to yards and gardens. These nocturnal mammals, often recognized by their bony armor, are primarily insectivores, using their sharp claws to dig for grubs, worms, and other invertebrates. While they don’t typically pose a direct threat to humans or pets, their digging activities can create unsightly holes, trip hazards, and even destabilize small structures. Dealing with armadillos in the yard requires a multifaceted approach, combining prevention, deterrents, and, when necessary, removal.
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Why Armadillos Invade Yards
Armadillos are drawn to yards for a few key reasons. The most significant attractant is a readily available food source. Grubs, earthworms, ants, and beetles found in healthy, moist soil are a primary food staple. Lush, well-watered lawns and gardens, especially those with compost piles or mulch, provide an ideal buffet for these digging mammals.
Another draw is suitable habitat. Armadillos are excellent burrowers and seek out areas that offer shelter and protection. Soft, loamy soil is perfect for digging burrows, which they use for nesting and escaping predators or extreme weather. Areas with dense ground cover, leaf litter, or overgrown vegetation offer concealment and potential nesting sites.
Finally, access to water can also play a role, particularly during dry periods. While they obtain much of their moisture from their food, access to puddles, leaky faucets, or even pet water bowls can be an added incentive.
Identifying Armadillo Activity
Before you can effectively get rid of armadillos, it’s crucial to identify their presence and the extent of their activity. Look for the following signs:
- Shallow Holes: These are the most common indicators. Armadillos typically dig shallow depressions (1 to 3 inches deep) as they forage for insects. You’ll often find these in lawns, flowerbeds, and around tree roots.
- Deeper Burrows: Armadillos also dig deeper burrows, which can be 6 to 8 inches wide and up to 15 feet long. These are their primary shelters. You might find entrances near foundations, under sheds, porches, decks, or in dense vegetation.
- Tracks: Armadillo tracks are distinctive. They have four toes with claws on the front feet and five toes with claws on the back feet. The tracks often show drag marks from their tails.
- Damaged Plants: Their digging can disturb the roots of plants, causing them to wilt or die. They may also uproot smaller plants in their search for food.
- Noise: While primarily nocturnal, you might hear rustling or digging sounds in your yard during the evening or early morning hours.
Effective Armadillo Control Methods
Dealing with armadillos effectively requires a combination of strategies. The goal is to make your yard less attractive to them and to remove any existing populations.
1. Habitat Modification and Prevention
The most sustainable way to manage armadillos is to make your yard inhospitable to them. This involves removing their food sources and making it difficult for them to burrow.
Reducing Food Availability
- Limit Grubs and Insects: Healthy lawns are often the primary target for armadillos. Reducing grub populations can significantly decrease their interest.
- Proper Watering: Avoid overwatering your lawn, which can encourage grub and earthworm activity. Water deeply but infrequently.
- Natural Predators: Encourage natural predators like birds, toads, and beneficial insects by creating a diverse and healthy ecosystem in your yard.
- Beneficial Nematodes: Apply beneficial nematodes, microscopic worms that prey on grub larvae. These are natural and safe for pets and beneficial insects.
- Insecticides (Use with Caution): If grub infestation is severe, consider using grub control products. Opt for environmentally friendly options when possible and follow application instructions carefully to avoid harming beneficial organisms.
- Clean Up Debris: Remove leaf litter, woodpiles, compost heaps, and dense vegetation where armadillos can hide and find food. Keep your yard tidy.
Making Digging Difficult
- Physical Barriers: Installing barriers can prevent armadillos from accessing certain areas or digging in your yard altogether.
- Underground Fencing: Bury chicken wire or hardware cloth at least 12-18 inches deep around garden beds or the perimeter of your yard. The mesh should extend at least 6-8 inches above ground and be bent outwards at a 90-degree angle to deter climbing.
- Solid Fencing: While less common for armadillos due to their digging ability, solid fencing can be effective if buried deep enough and secured.
- Soil Management: Compacted soil is harder for armadillos to dig through. However, this can be detrimental to lawn health. Consider this for specific problem areas rather than your entire yard.
2. Armadillo Deterrents
Deterrents aim to make your yard unpleasant for armadillos, encouraging them to move elsewhere. These methods often involve strong smells or tastes that armadillos dislike.
Repelling Armadillos
- Commercial Repellents: Various commercial repellents are available, often containing castor oil, essential oils (like peppermint or eucalyptus), or ammonia. These need to be reapplied regularly, especially after rain.
- Home-Based Repellents:
- Castor Oil Spray: Mix castor oil with water and a little dish soap. Spray liberally around problem areas. The oily residue can be unpleasant for their sensitive skin and taste.
- Cayenne Pepper/Chili Powder: Sprinkle cayenne pepper or chili powder around the perimeter of your yard or in affected areas. Armadillos are sensitive to capsaicin, the compound that makes peppers hot.
- Ammonia-Soaked Rags: Soak rags in ammonia and place them near burrow entrances or digging sites. The strong smell can be repulsive.
- Coffee Grounds: Some anecdotal evidence suggests that coffee grounds can deter armadillos. Scatter used coffee grounds liberally.
- Peppermint Oil: Soak cotton balls in peppermint oil and place them strategically around your yard.
Important Note: Deterrents are often most effective when used in conjunction with other methods. Their effectiveness can vary, and reapplication is usually necessary.
| Deterrent Type | How It Works | Application | Effectiveness/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Castor Oil | Unpleasant taste and texture | Mix with water and dish soap, spray on soil/plants | Reapply after rain. Can stain. |
| Cayenne Pepper | Irritant to senses | Sprinkle on soil and around plants | Reapply after rain. May harm beneficial insects if overused. |
| Ammonia | Strong, repulsive odor | Soak rags, place near burrows/digging sites | Needs frequent reapplication. Be cautious around pets. |
| Peppermint Oil | Strong, disliked scent | Soak cotton balls, place around yard | Can be effective in small, targeted areas. |
| Commercial Repellents | Various (odor, taste, or irritation) | Follow product instructions | Read labels carefully; some may not be safe for all plants. |
3. Humane Armadillo Removal
If deterrents and prevention aren’t enough, you may need to consider removing the armadillos. Humane removal is often the most ethical and effective long-term solution.
Armadillo Traps
Live traps are a common method for armadillo pest control. The goal is to capture the animal safely and relocate it to a more suitable habitat.
- Choosing a Trap: Select a live trap that is appropriately sized for an armadillo (typically around 10″x12″x30″). Cage traps with a single-door trigger mechanism are generally effective.
- Baiting the Trap: Armadillos are attracted to insects. Consider using:
- Mealworms or Grubs: Place a handful of these live insects inside the trap.
- Canned Cat Food: Some people have success with moist cat food.
- Sardines or Peanut Butter: These can also be effective baits.
- Trap Placement: Place the trap along active armadillo trails, near burrow entrances, or in areas where digging is most prevalent. Position the trap on a flat surface to ensure the trigger mechanism works correctly. You can also create a “runway” leading to the trap using logs or rocks to guide the armadillo inside.
- Checking the Trap: Check the trap frequently, at least twice a day (morning and evening). It’s crucial to avoid leaving an animal trapped for extended periods, especially in extreme weather, as this can cause stress and harm.
- Relocation: Once an armadillo is caught, it’s important to know your local regulations regarding wildlife relocation. Generally, you should relocate the animal to a suitable habitat at least 10-15 miles away from your property to prevent it from returning. Ensure the new location has appropriate food sources and shelter.
Important Considerations for Trapping:
- Timing: Armadillos are most active at dawn and dusk.
- Seasonality: Trapping may be less effective during colder months when armadillos are less active.
- Legality: Always check local and state wildlife regulations regarding trapping and relocating animals.
4. Armadillo Exclusion
Exclusion involves physically blocking armadillos from entering specific areas, such as under sheds, decks, or crawl spaces, where they often create burrows.
- Solid Barriers: Install solid barriers around structures. This can involve:
- Wire Mesh: Burying chicken wire or hardware cloth at least 12-18 inches deep and extending 6-8 inches above ground, bent outwards. This is highly effective.
- Concrete: Pouring a concrete barrier around the foundation of structures can also deter them.
- Sealing Entry Points: Inspect buildings and outdoor structures for any gaps or openings that armadillos might use to gain access. Seal these with appropriate materials like hardware cloth, concrete, or sturdy lumber.
- Removing Shelter: If armadillos have created burrows under sheds or decks, you may need to fill these in after you are certain the animal is no longer present. This often involves trapping and removing them first.
5. Professional Armadillo Control
If you are struggling to manage an armadillo infestation or are uncomfortable with trapping and relocation, consider contacting a professional wildlife control service. These experts have the experience and tools to safely and humanely remove armadillos from your property and can offer tailored solutions for long-term prevention. They are familiar with local wildlife laws and best practices for dealing with armadillos.
FAQs About Getting Rid of Armadillos
Q1: Are armadillos dangerous?
A1: Armadillos are generally not dangerous to humans or pets. They are shy and will usually try to flee if approached. While they can carry diseases like leprosy, the risk of transmission to humans is extremely low. Their digging, however, can create hazards like tripping holes.
Q2: Can armadillos dig through concrete?
A2: No, armadillos cannot dig through solid concrete. However, they can burrow under or around concrete foundations if there is soft soil or gaps present.
Q3: How long does it take to get rid of armadillos?
A3: The time it takes to get rid of armadillos depends on the method used and the severity of the infestation. Prevention and deterrents may take time to make your yard unattractive, while trapping can be effective relatively quickly, but requires persistence.
Q4: What is the best time of year to deal with armadillos?
A4: The best time to deal with armadillos is typically during the spring and summer months when they are more active and breeding. However, humane removal and habitat modification can be done year-round.
Q5: Can I use poison to kill armadillos?
A5: It is generally not recommended to use poison to kill armadillos. Poisons can be indiscriminate, harming non-target animals, pets, and even humans. Additionally, they are often inhumane and can lead to secondary poisoning of scavengers. Humane trapping and relocation are preferred methods.
Q6: How do I stop armadillos from coming back?
A6: To prevent armadillos from returning, maintain your deterrents, continue habitat modification to reduce food sources and hiding places, and ensure any exclusion barriers are intact and secure. Regularly inspect your yard for signs of new activity.
Conclusion
Dealing with armadillos in your yard requires patience and a strategic approach. By modifying your habitat, employing effective deterrents, and utilizing humane removal or exclusion methods, you can reclaim your lawn and garden from these determined diggers. Remember that a combination of techniques often yields the best results, leading to a peaceful coexistence with nature while protecting your property. If the problem persists or you are finding it difficult to manage, professional help is always a valuable option.