Want to know how to stop armadillos from ruining your beautiful lawn? The best ways to keep these little diggers out of your yard include using physical barriers like fences, making your yard less appealing by getting rid of their food, and sometimes using natural deterrents. You might see signs of armadillos in yard spaces as small holes and overturned dirt patches, which is often armadillo digging damage from them looking for food underground. This constant digging causes noticeable lawn damage from armadillos. This guide will show you how to stop them from tearing up your grass and flower beds.
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Grasping the Armadillo Problem
Armadillos are interesting creatures. They are known for their tough, bony shell. They are mostly active at night. They use their strong claws to dig. They dig for food and to make burrows. While fascinating, their digging can cause a lot of trouble for homeowners.
Signs of Armadillos in Your Yard
It is important to know if armadillos are the problem. Look for these signs:
- Small holes: These holes are usually 3 to 5 inches wide and deep. They look like someone poked the ground with a stick.
- Loose soil patches: They flip over bits of grass or soil to find bugs.
- Uprooted plants: They sometimes dig around plants, causing them to fall over.
- Burrows: They might dig larger holes near foundations, porches, or bushes. These are their homes. Burrows can be quite big, up to 15-20 feet long.
- Tracks: Look for small, three-toed tracks in soft ground.
If you see these signs, you likely have an armadillo visitor. This means you are dealing with armadillo digging damage.
How Armadillos Damage Your Yard
The main problem is their constant digging. They search for food just under the surface. This search leads to many small holes all over your lawn. Flower beds, gardens, and even under shrubs are not safe. This type of lawn damage from armadillos is more than just messy. It can hurt the roots of your grass and plants. It makes your yard look bad. It can even be a tripping hazard.
Deciphering Why They Dig
Why do armadillos dig so much? It is simple: they are looking for food. What do armadillos eat? Their diet is mostly insects and other small creatures living in the soil.
Armadillo Food Sources
Armadillos are insectivores. This means they love bugs. Their favorite meals include:
- Grubs (larva of beetles)
- Ants
- Termites
- Crickets
- Earthworms
- Spiders
- Snails
They might also eat small amounts of fruit, berries, or even small reptiles. But their main diet is finding insects underground. Your healthy, green lawn is a buffet for them. A yard full of tasty bugs is like a giant restaurant sign saying, “Come and dig!” If you have a lot of these insects in your soil, you are likely to attract armadillos.
Fixing the Damage Left Behind
Once an armadillo has visited, your yard will show it. You will need to fix the torn-up areas. Repair armadillo damage as soon as you can. This helps your lawn recover and makes it look better.
Steps to Repair Armadillo Damage
- Fill the holes: Push the loosened soil back into the holes they dug.
- Pat it down: Gently press the soil so it is level with the rest of the ground.
- Replace sod or reseed: If they flipped over pieces of sod, place them back and press them down. If the area is bare, sprinkle grass seed over the repaired spot.
- Water the area: Water gently so the soil settles and new grass can grow.
- Protect the spots: Keep pets and people off the repaired areas until the grass has grown back.
Repairing the damage is the first step. But it does not stop them from coming back. You need to prevent them from digging in the first place.
Preventing Armadillos From Entering
The best way to deal with armadillos is to stop them before they start digging. There are several ways to make your yard less welcoming.
Making Your Yard Less Appealing
Armadillos like places where they can find food easily. They also like places where they can hide or build burrows.
Controlling the Bug Buffet
Since they dig for food, reducing the number of insects in your soil can help.
- Treat your lawn for grubs: Grubs are a favorite armadillo food. Using grub control products can make your yard less attractive. Follow product instructions carefully.
- Reduce moisture: Armadillos are drawn to moist soil because it is easier to dig and has more worms and insects near the surface. Do not overwater your lawn. Fix leaky sprinklers or hoses.
- Remove hiding spots: Clear away piles of brush, wood, or dense ground cover. These can be places where armadillos build burrows or feel safe.
Reducing their food source is a key part of armadillo pest control for your yard.
Building a Physical Barrier
A fence is one of the most effective ways to keep armadillos out. They are not good climbers, but they are excellent diggers. This means a simple fence won’t work. You need an armadillo fence that goes deep into the ground.
Armadillo Fence Requirements
To be effective, a fence must meet certain needs:
- Height: It should be at least 2 feet above the ground. This is high enough that they won’t try to climb it.
- Depth: This is the most important part. The fence material must go at least 1 foot (12 inches) deep into the ground. Angle the bottom edge outwards at a 90-degree angle (an ‘L’ shape) for another foot if possible. This stops them from digging under it.
- Material: Strong wire mesh (like chicken wire or hardware cloth) is a good choice. The mesh holes should be small enough that they cannot squeeze through.
- Sturdy: The fence needs to be well-supported by posts so they cannot push it over.
How to Build an Armadillo Fence Section
Here are simple steps for a small area:
- Buy galvanized wire mesh at least 3 feet wide (2 feet for height, 1 foot for burying).
- Dig a trench about 10-12 inches deep where you want the fence.
- Place the bottom 10-12 inches of the wire mesh into the trench.
- You can bend the bottom outwards in an ‘L’ shape before placing it in the trench for extra security (bury this angled part).
- Use sturdy fence posts to support the mesh above ground. Attach the mesh securely to the posts.
- Fill the trench back in with soil, making sure the buried part of the fence is covered tightly.
A fence like this is a long-term solution to prevent armadillos from getting in. Building a complete fence around a large yard can be a big job, but it’s very effective.
Using Scents and Sounds They Dislike
Some people try using things that armadillos supposedly don’t like the smell or sound of. These are often called natural armadillo deterrents. Their success varies greatly.
Natural Armadillo Deterrents
Common ideas for natural deterrents include:
- Strong smells: Garlic, vinegar, ammonia, or mothballs. People suggest soaking rags in these liquids and placing them near digging spots or burrows.
- Spicy smells: Cayenne pepper sprinkled on the ground.
- Certain plants: Some gardeners believe marigolds or other strong-smelling plants deter armadillos.
The problem with these methods is they are often temporary. Rain washes away smells quickly. Armadillos might just dig a few inches away from the treated spot. There is little scientific proof that these natural methods work well or for long.
Armadillo Repellent Spray
You can buy commercial repellents. These sprays often contain ingredients like castor oil or predator urine. Castor oil is thought to make the insects and grubs taste bad. Predator urine might make the armadillo feel unsafe.
- How they work: You spray these products on your lawn. The idea is the smell or taste makes the armadillo want to leave and find food elsewhere.
- Application: You usually need to reapply them often, especially after rain.
- Effectiveness: Like natural methods, results vary. Some people report success, while others say they did not work at all. They might work best when used with other methods, not by themselves.
Sonic or vibration devices are also sold as deterrents. These devices are placed in the ground and make sounds or vibrations meant to bother armadillos and other digging animals. Again, scientific proof of their long-term effectiveness is limited.
Table: Comparing Deterrent Methods
| Method | Description | Pros | Cons | Effectiveness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Habitat Control | Reduce food (bugs), reduce moisture, clear clutter | Addresses the root cause, long-lasting | Takes time, might need professional pest help | High (indirect) |
| Physical Fence | Bury wire mesh deep around the yard | Very effective barrier, permanent | Can be expensive and a lot of work to install | Very High (direct) |
| Natural Scents | Garlic, vinegar, mothballs, pepper | Inexpensive, easy to try | Washes away fast, limited evidence it works | Low to Very Low |
| Commercial Repellents | Sprays with castor oil, predator urine | Easy to apply | Need frequent reapplication, variable results | Low to Moderate |
| Sonic/Vibration Devices | Stakes that make noise or vibrate in ground | Easy to install | Limited evidence of effectiveness, can be costly | Low to Very Low |
When Prevention Isn’t Enough: Removal
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, an armadillo might still get into your yard or be living there already. In these cases, removal might be needed.
Considering Professional Help
If you have a serious armadillo problem, or if you cannot manage it yourself, calling a professional pest control service is an option.
Armadillo Pest Control Services
Pest control experts have experience dealing with armadillos. They can:
- Confirm it’s an armadillo issue.
- Find burrows and main digging areas.
- Offer solutions, which might include trapping.
- Repair armadillo damage sometimes as part of the service.
- Give advice on preventing future problems.
Hiring a professional is often the quickest and most effective way to remove armadillos. They know the laws about trapping and relocation in your area.
Trapping as a Last Resort
Trapping armadillos humanely is possible but requires care and knowledge of local laws. Trapping should usually be the last step after prevention methods have failed or if you have an animal living under your house or porch.
Humane Trapping Methods
Live traps are the most humane way to catch an armadillo.
- Type of trap: Use a large live trap, often called a raccoon trap or nuisance animal trap. It should be at least 10x12x32 inches.
- Placement: Place the trap near the armadillo’s burrow entrance or along paths they seem to use, like near a fence line or beside your house. Armadillos tend to walk along edges.
- Bait: Unlike many animals, armadillos are not easily attracted by bait like fruit or peanut butter. They want live insects. Some suggest using overripe fruit, but a more effective method is to set up barriers (like boards) leading the armadillo into the trap when it is moving along a wall or fence it uses. You can also try putting some soil with grubs or worms inside the trap.
- Covering the trap: Sometimes covering the trap with a blanket or dark cloth can make it more appealing to the armadillo.
What to Do After Trapping
This is the critical part of trapping armadillos humanely.
- Check the trap often: Armadillos can get stressed in traps. Check it early in the morning if you set it overnight.
- Handle with care: Wear thick gloves if you must handle the trap. Do not touch the armadillo.
- Relocation: This is tricky. Many states have laws about moving wildlife. You may not be allowed to move the animal far from where you caught it. Check with your local wildlife agency. If you are allowed to move it, take it several miles away to a suitable habitat (like a wooded area) away from other homes.
- Release carefully: Point the trap away from you and open the door. Let the armadillo leave on its own.
Important Note: Releasing animals in new areas can spread disease or cause the animal to not survive. This is why many wildlife experts recommend prevention first. Trapping might only be a temporary fix if the new area is suitable for other armadillos, or if you have not fixed why the armadillo came to your yard (like abundant food).
If you trap an armadillo, you must decide the best course of action based on local laws and ethical considerations. Sometimes, professional help is the best way to ensure the animal is handled properly.
Keeping Up the Guard
Getting rid of an armadillo is only part of the solution. You need to keep using prevention methods to stop new ones from moving in.
- Regular yard checks: Look for new signs of digging often. Catching a problem early makes it easier to fix.
- Maintain fences: Check your armadillo fence regularly for damage. Make sure it is still buried correctly.
- Keep food sources low: Continue to manage insect populations in your soil. This is a key part of armadillo pest control.
- Manage moisture: Water your lawn only when needed.
By being watchful and keeping up with these simple steps, you can greatly reduce the chance of armadillos returning to dig up your yard.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What time of day are armadillos most active?
A: Armadillos are usually most active at night, especially around dawn and dusk. This is when they come out to look for food.
Q: Will armadillos hurt my pets?
A: Armadillos are not aggressive. They are more likely to run away or jump straight up when scared. They usually do not pose a direct threat to pets. However, they can carry diseases, so it’s best to keep pets away from them and their burrows.
Q: Can armadillos climb?
A: No, armadillos are not good climbers at all. This is why a short fence (2 feet) is usually enough height-wise, as long as it is buried deep.
Q: How deep do armadillo burrows go?
A: Their burrows can be quite extensive. They typically go 2 to 5 feet deep but can be up to 15-20 feet long.
Q: Do armadillo repellents really work?
A: The effectiveness of armadillo repellent spray and other deterrents varies. There is no guaranteed solution besides physical exclusion (fencing) or removing their food source. Many repellents have limited success and require frequent reapplication.
Q: Is it okay to fill in an armadillo’s burrow?
A: You can fill in burrows once you are sure the animal is not inside. Filling an active burrow could trap the animal. It’s often best to wait until the animal has been removed or has left the area permanently before filling in their home.
Q: How quickly can armadillos cause damage?
A: Armadillos can cause significant lawn damage from armadillos in just one night as they search for food. They are efficient diggers.
Keeping armadillos out of your yard takes effort. But by removing their food, building barriers, and being consistent, you can protect your lawn and garden from armadillo digging damage.