Your Guide: How To Repel Armadillos From Yard Fast!

Is an armadillo tearing up your grass? How to get rid of armadillos naturally and fast means stopping them from digging for food or making burrows in your yard. Armadillos dig in yard areas mainly to find tasty bugs like grubs. This digging can cause a lot of armadillo damage quickly. You want to prevent armadillo damage and keep your yard nice. This guide will show you how to repel armadillos using simple, natural ways and other methods to get them out quickly and keep them away.

How To Repel Armadillos From Yard
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Grasping Why Armadillos Visit Your Yard

Why do these little armored visitors pick your yard? Armadillos are always looking for food. They love to eat insects, worms, and especially grubs that live in the soil. Your soft, well-watered lawn is like a giant buffet for them.

Deciphering Armadillo Behavior

Armadillos are mostly active at night or in the early morning and evening. They have poor eyesight but a great sense of smell. They use their long claws and strong snouts to dig into the ground. This is how they find their food.

Digging for Food: When you see holes, little divots, or overturned soil, an armadillo was probably digging for insects. This is the most common armadillo digging in yard problem people see.
Making Burrows: Armadillos also dig larger tunnels for shelter. An armadillo burrow in yard spaces can be a sign they plan to stay a while. These burrows can damage foundations or sidewalks if too close to structures.

So, to get rid of them, you need to either make your yard less tasty or make it feel unsafe for them. Or both!

Natural Ways to Make Armadillos Leave

You want to repel armadillos without using harsh chemicals. Natural armadillo repellent methods are often the first step. They are safer for your family, pets, and the environment. How to get rid of armadillos naturally often involves using strong smells or making the ground uncomfortable.

Using Strong Scents They Don’t Like

Armadillos rely a lot on their sense of smell. Strong smells can bother them and make them go away. You can use items you might already have. This is part of making a homemade armadillo repellent.

Cayenne Pepper or Other Spicy Powders: Sprinkle cayenne pepper, chili powder, or even black pepper around areas where they dig. Armadillos have sensitive noses. The strong, irritating smell can deter them.
- How to use: Sprinkle a good amount directly on the holes they make or along the edges of your yard where they enter. Reapply after rain.
Garlic and Onion: The strong smell of garlic and onions can also keep them away.
- How to use: Chop up garlic and onions and scatter them around the affected areas. Or, make a liquid spray by boiling chopped garlic and onions in water, straining it, and spraying the liquid.
Vinegar: The sharp smell of vinegar is often unpleasant for animals.
- How to use: Soak rags in white vinegar and place them near burrows or digging spots. Re-soak the rags often as the smell fades.
Ammonia: Ammonia has a very strong smell that mimics the scent of predator urine.
- How to use: Soak rags in ammonia and place them in or near the armadillo burrow in yard areas. Be careful when using ammonia; wear gloves and avoid breathing the fumes. Keep pets and children away from treated spots until the smell fades a bit.
Mothballs: Mothballs have a strong chemical smell that many animals dislike.
- How to use: Place mothballs near armadillo digging in yard spots or burrow entrances. Use them sparingly as they can be toxic to pets if eaten. Check local laws about using mothballs as animal repellents.

Remember, rain will wash away sprinkled powders and weaken liquid sprays and scents on rags. You will need to reapply these natural repellents regularly, especially after it rains, to keep the smell strong and the armadillos away. Consistency is key!

Making the Ground Annoying

Armadillos dig with their sensitive noses and claws. Making the soil irritating or difficult to dig in can discourage them.

Prickly Things: Laying down chicken wire, hardware cloth, or thorny branches flat on the soil surface can make digging uncomfortable.
- How to use: Cut pieces to fit the area where they dig. Pin them down firmly so the armadillo cannot easily move them.
Diatomaceous Earth: This is a fine powder made from fossilized algae. It feels like tiny shards of glass to insects and is drying. While it targets their food (insects), it can also irritate the armadillo’s skin and nose if they dig in it.
- How to use: Sprinkle food-grade diatomaceous earth around digging areas. Use gloves and a mask when applying to avoid breathing the dust. It is harmless to pets and humans once settled, but breathing the dust can be irritating.

These methods make the act of digging unpleasant for the armadillo, encouraging them to find easier ground elsewhere.

Table: Common Natural Armadillo Repellents

Repellent Type	How It Works	Application Method	Notes
Scent-Based	Strong, bad smells	Sprinkle powders, spray liquids, place soaked rags	Needs reapplication, especially after rain.
Cayenne/Chili Powder	Irritating smell	Sprinkle on ground	Simple, needs frequent reapplication.
Garlic/Onion	Pungent smell	Scatter chopped pieces, use liquid spray	Smell fades quickly.
Vinegar	Sharp smell	Soak rags, place near activity	Rags need re-soaking often.
Ammonia	Strong, predator smell	Soak rags, place near burrows	Use with caution, keep pets/kids away.
Mothballs	Strong chemical smell	Place near digging/burrows	Potentially toxic, check local rules.
Physical/Irritant	Uncomfortable to dig	Lay on ground surface	More permanent, less aesthetic.
Chicken Wire/Cloth	Prickly surface	Lay flat, pin down	Can be visible.
Diatomaceous Earth	Irritating powder	Sprinkle on ground	Use food-grade, avoid inhaling dust. Targets food too.

These natural methods are a great start on how to get rid of armadillos naturally. They are often effective for mild problems or as a first defense.

Tackling the Food Source: Armadillo Grub Control

Why do armadillos love your yard so much? Usually, it’s because it has a good supply of their favorite food: grubs and other insects in the soil. If you reduce their food source, your yard becomes less attractive to them. This is called armadillo grub control.

How to Control Grubs Naturally

You can reduce the number of grubs without using harmful chemicals.

Beneficial Nematodes: These are tiny worms that live in the soil. Certain types attack and kill grubs, sod webworms, cutworms, and other soil-dwelling pests that armadillos eat. They are natural and do not harm people, pets, or plants.
- How to use: Buy beneficial nematodes from a garden supply store. Apply them to your lawn using a sprayer or watering can, following the product instructions. Apply in the evening or on a cloudy day as sunlight can harm them. The soil should be moist.
Milky Spore: This is a natural bacterium that specifically targets Japanese beetle grubs. It is very effective against these grubs and lasts for many years in the soil once established.
- How to use: Apply the powder to your lawn in spots or broadcast it evenly. Water it in after application. It takes time to build up in the soil but offers long-term control of Japanese beetle grubs.

Reducing the grub population makes your yard less of a food hotspot. This is a key part of how to get rid of armadillos naturally and prevent armadillo damage long-term.

Are Chemical Grub Killers an Option?

Yes, chemical grub killers are available and can work fast. However, they are chemicals.
* They can harm beneficial insects in your yard.
* They might pose risks to pets or children who play on the lawn.
* They are not a ‘natural’ method.

If you choose this path, read product labels carefully. Use them as directed. Apply at the right time of year for the grubs in your area (often late summer/early fall). Combining grub control with other methods works best.

Building Barriers: Armadillo Fence Deterrent

Sometimes, repellents and grub control are not enough. Armadillos are determined diggers. A physical barrier can be very effective. An armadillo fence deterrent stops them from getting into your yard in the first place.

Making a Fence That Works

A regular fence is not enough. Armadillos can climb a little, but they are expert diggers. Your fence needs to go into the ground.

Height: The fence should be at least 1-2 feet tall above ground.
Depth: This is the crucial part. The fence needs to go into the ground at least 1 foot deep.
Material: Sturdy materials work best, like hardware cloth, chicken wire, or solid fencing. Hardware cloth (with smaller holes) is generally better than chicken wire (with larger holes).
Angle (Optional but Recommended): Bend the bottom 1 foot of the fence material outwards at a 90-degree angle before burying it. This forms an L-shape facing away from your yard. When the armadillo tries to dig down along the fence, they will hit this buried horizontal section. This makes it very difficult for them to dig under.

How to Install an Armadillo Deterrent Fence

Choose Material: Get enough sturdy fencing material (like 1/2 inch hardware cloth).
Measure: Figure out how long the fence needs to be to protect the area you want to secure (garden, whole yard).
Dig a Trench: Dig a trench along the fence line. Make it about 10-12 inches deep and about 8-12 inches wide.
Place the Fence: Put the fence material into the trench. If using the L-shape method, bend the bottom foot outwards before putting it in.
Fill the Trench: Backfill the trench with soil, packing it down firmly. Make sure the fence is straight and secure.
Secure Above Ground: Attach the top part of the fence to posts if needed, or just make sure it’s stable if it’s a shorter barrier around a specific area.

An armadillo fence deterrent is one of the most reliable ways to prevent armadillo damage because it physically blocks their entry. It takes more effort and cost than repellents but offers longer-lasting protection.

Modifying Your Yard to Make It Less Welcoming

Armadillos are drawn to yards that offer food, water, and shelter. By making your yard less appealing in these ways, you can help keep them away. This works with other repellent methods to prevent armadillo damage.

Reduce Water Sources

Armadillos need water. Standing water, leaky sprinklers, or constantly wet areas can attract them.

Fix leaky pipes or sprinklers.
Do not overwater your lawn or garden. Water only when needed.
Empty pet water bowls at night.

A drier yard is less attractive to both armadillos and the insects they eat.

Remove Shelter and Clutter

Armadillos like places to hide. Piles of leaves, brush, firewood, or other clutter offer perfect hiding spots or places to start a burrow.

Clean up yard debris regularly.
Stack firewood neatly away from the house and off the ground if possible.
Trim back thick bushes or low-hanging branches near the ground.

Making your yard open and tidy reduces potential armadillo hotel spots.

Secure Garbage and Pet Food

While their main diet is insects, armadillos are opportunistic eaters. Unsecured garbage or pet food left outside can be an easy meal.

Use sturdy garbage cans with tight-fitting lids.
Bring pet food bowls inside, especially overnight.
Clean up any spilled birdseed or fruit that falls from trees.

Removing easy food sources makes your yard less appealing as a regular stop.

Considering Professional Help: Wildlife Removal Armadillos

You’ve tried natural repellents, grub control, and tidying up. But the armadillos are still digging and causing damage. Or perhaps you have a serious armadillo burrow in yard area that you cannot handle yourself. This is when you might need to call professionals. This is known as wildlife removal armadillos.

When to Call a Professional

When armadillos are causing major structural damage (burrows near foundations).
When other methods have failed after consistent effort.
If you have multiple armadillos.
If you are not comfortable trying to deter them yourself.

What Wildlife Removal Professionals Do

Professional wildlife removal services have experience dealing with armadillos. They often use traps to catch the animals.

Trapping: They use live traps baited with food that armadillos like (sometimes fruit or grubs). They place the traps in strategic locations, often near burrows or active digging spots.
Relocation or Other Measures: Once an armadillo is caught, the professional will handle it according to local regulations. Rules vary greatly by area regarding relocating trapped wildlife. Some areas require euthanasia. Discuss this with the service before they begin.
Identification of Entry Points: They can help identify where the armadillos are entering your property.
Advice: They can offer advice on preventing future problems.

Using a professional service for wildlife removal armadillos can solve the immediate problem quickly. However, unless you also address why the armadillos were attracted to your yard (food, shelter), new ones might move in later.

Choosing a Professional

Look for companies with experience in armadillo removal.
Check reviews and ask for references.
Make sure they are licensed and insured.
Ask about their methods and how they handle the trapped animals.
Get a clear estimate of the cost.

While potentially more expensive than DIY methods, professional wildlife removal armadillos can be very effective for stubborn or severe armadillo problems.

What is the Best Armadillo Repellent?

People often ask, “What is the best armadillo repellent?” The truth is, there is no single magic spray or device that works every time for everyone. The most effective approach usually involves using several methods together.

A Combination Approach

The “best” repellent is often a mix of strategies:

Make Food Hard to Find: Start with armadillo grub control. Reduce the main reason they are in your yard.
Use Unpleasant Scents: Apply natural armadillo repellent sprays or powders in areas where you see armadillo digging in yard. Reapply often. Homemade armadillo repellent options are good for this.
Build a Barrier: If possible, install an armadillo fence deterrent around key areas or your whole yard. This is a long-term solution to prevent armadillo damage.
Clean Up Your Yard: Remove shelter and water sources.
For Stubborn Cases: If the problem continues, consider professional wildlife removal armadillos.

So, the best armadillo repellent is not just one product. It’s a plan that tackles food, uses repellents, blocks entry, and makes your yard less inviting overall.

Putting Your Plan into Action

Ready to get those armadillos out? Here’s a simple plan using the steps we’ve discussed.

Step-by-Step Action Plan

Confirm It’s Armadillos: Look for the type of damage. Small, conical holes (like someone poked a stick in) or larger torn-up patches usually mean digging for food. Larger holes with mounds of dirt nearby could be a burrow entrance.
Clean Up the Yard: Remove anything that offers shelter – wood piles, brush, low bushes. Secure trash cans. Empty water sources.
Address the Food: Apply beneficial nematodes or milky spore for armadillo grub control. If you choose chemicals, follow instructions strictly.
Apply Repellents: Sprinkle spicy powders or use liquid sprays (homemade armadillo repellent or natural armadillo repellent options) on areas they are actively digging. Target entry points too. Reapply every few days and after rain. Rotate scents if one stops working.
Consider Barriers: If digging is focused on one area (like a garden bed), install a temporary or permanent armadillo fence deterrent around that spot. For widespread problems, a full perimeter fence might be needed but is a big project.
Be Consistent: Keep reapplying repellents and maintaining your yard. It takes time to convince them to move on.
Monitor Activity: Check your yard daily for new digging. This tells you if your methods are working or if you need to try something else.
Know When to Get Help: If damage continues, burrows are close to structures, or you feel overwhelmed, contact a professional for wildlife removal armadillos.

Following these steps gives you the best chance to repel armadillos from yard fast and prevent armadillo damage in the future.

Long-Term Strategies to Keep Them Away

Getting rid of armadillos is great. Keeping them away is the next step.

Maintain Your Yard

Continue Grub Control: Apply beneficial nematodes yearly or maintain milky spore effectiveness. A yard with fewer bugs is less appealing.
Regular Cleanup: Don’t let clutter build up again.
Water Wisely: Avoid overwatering that attracts insects and provides drinking water.
Secure Everything: Keep trash cans closed and pet food indoors.

Vary Repellents (If Still Needed)

If you occasionally see signs of armadillos, you can reapply natural repellents. Some people find that rotating different scents keeps armadillos from getting used to one.

Check Your Fence Deterrent

If you installed an armadillo fence deterrent, check it regularly. Make sure it is still secure and no new digging is happening right against it.

Long-term prevention relies on making your yard consistently unattractive to armadillos as a food source and home.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are answers to common questions about dealing with armadillos.

Q: Are armadillos dangerous?
A: Armadillos are generally not aggressive. They usually run away if approached. However, they can carry diseases like leprosy (though transmission to humans is rare) and their claws are sharp. It’s best to avoid touching them and keep pets away. Their digging is the main problem for most homeowners.

Q: Do armadillos bite?
A: Armadillos are not known to bite humans unless they feel trapped or are handled. They are more likely to try to scratch or roll into a ball.

Q: Can armadillos climb?
A: Yes, surprisingly, armadillos can climb and swim. They are not great climbers, but they can get over low fences or other obstacles if motivated. This is why an armadillo fence deterrent needs to be sturdy and ideally have an underground section.

Q: What time of day are armadillos most active?
A: Armadillos are usually most active at night or in the cooler hours of dawn and dusk, especially in warmer weather. This is often when they do most of their digging.

Q: Will armadillos leave on their own?
A: Sometimes they might move on if they don’t find enough food or feel unsafe. But if your yard is a good source of grubs or has easy shelter, they are likely to stay or keep coming back. Taking action is usually necessary to prevent ongoing damage.

Q: Are there electronic armadillo repellents?
A: Yes, there are ultrasonic or motion-activated sprinklers marketed as animal repellents. Ultrasonic devices have mixed results and may not affect armadillos much. Motion-activated sprinklers can startle them with water, which might work as a temporary deterrent for some animals, but armadillos might ignore it if they are focused on digging for food. They are generally not considered as reliable as physical barriers or addressing the food source.

Q: Will mothballs really get rid of armadillos?
A: Mothballs are a common homemade armadillo repellent attempt because of their strong smell. They might deter armadillos in a small area temporarily, but they are not a guaranteed solution. Using many mothballs can also be harmful to the environment, pets, and people. Check local regulations on their use outdoors.

Q: What smells do armadillos hate the most?
A: Armadillos seem to dislike strong, irritating smells. This includes spicy scents (like cayenne), garlic, ammonia, and vinegar. Predator urine scents are also sometimes used in commercial repellents.

Q: If I see an armadillo, what should I do?
A: Observe it from a distance. Do not try to catch it or corner it. If it’s just passing through, it might leave on its own. If it starts digging or seems to be settling in, you can begin applying repellent methods.

Q: How deep can an armadillo burrow go?
A: Armadillo burrows can vary in size. They often go 2-5 feet deep and can be up to 25 feet long. They can have multiple entrances. A large armadillo burrow in yard areas needs careful handling, possibly by professionals, especially if it’s near structures.

Q: Can trapping be a DIY solution?
A: Live trapping armadillos requires knowledge of their behavior, setting traps correctly, and knowing what to do with the animal once caught. Laws about relocating wildlife vary greatly and are often strict. It’s usually safer and more effective to use professional wildlife removal armadillos services for trapping.

Q: Does lawn fertilizer attract armadillos?
A: Some people believe fertilizer attracts grubs, which then attract armadillos. This isn’t always direct. Healthy lawns (often achieved with fertilizer) can support larger insect populations. Focusing on grub control methods (like beneficial nematodes) is a better approach than avoiding fertilizer altogether.

Q: How can I repair my yard after armadillo damage?
A: Fill in holes with soil and reseed or lay new sod. For larger damaged areas, you might need to level the ground before replanting. Address the armadillo problem first, or they will likely come back and dig up your repairs.

Dealing with armadillos takes patience and the right methods. By making your yard less inviting and using deterrents, you can protect your lawn and garden.