Stop Damage: How To Repel Armadillos From Your Yard

Armadillos can turn a beautiful lawn into a mess of holes. They cause unsightly and costly armadillo digging damage. Many homeowners want to know how to stop this problem and how to repel armadillos from their yard. The good news is you can use several methods, from making your yard less inviting to using barriers or repellents, to stop armadillos from digging and keep them away. This article will show you different ways to protect your yard and keep armadillos out of the garden.

How To Repel Armadillos From Your Yard
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Deciphering Why Armadillos Are In Your Yard

Before you try to get rid of armadillos, it helps to know why they are there. Armadillos are looking for food. They love to eat insects and other small things in the ground. Your yard might be a perfect buffet for them.

Grasping Their Diet

Armadillos eat mostly bugs. This includes:

Grubs (larvae of beetles)
Ants
Termites
Worms
Spiders
Small bugs in the soil

Sometimes they eat other things like berries or small animals, but insects from the ground are their main food. They use their strong claws and long snout to dig for these tasty treats. If your lawn is full of grubs and worms, it’s like a big dinner sign for armadillos.

Identifying Signs of Armadillos

How do you know if an armadillo is the one causing the mess? Look for specific signs of armadillos in yard.

Small holes: They dig shallow holes, often 1 to 3 inches deep and 3 to 5 inches wide. These holes look like someone poked the ground with a stick or trowel.
Patches of disturbed soil: They might dig up areas looking for food, leaving messy patches.
Up-rooted plants: Sometimes they dig around plants, lifting them out of the ground.
Trails: They might leave narrow paths through tall grass as they walk the same way often.

Finding these signs, especially the small, cone-shaped holes, points to armadillos. This is the classic armadillo digging damage.

Addressing Their Food Source

The best way to make your yard less attractive to armadillos is to take away their food. This is called armadillo food source removal. If they can’t find enough to eat easily, they will go somewhere else.

Targeting Grubs and Insects

Grubs are a favorite food for armadillos. Getting rid of grubs can help a lot.

Beneficial Nematodes: These are tiny worms that live in the soil. They attack and kill grubs and other harmful insects. You can buy them and add them to your lawn. They are safe for people, pets, and plants. Apply them when grubs are active, usually in late summer or early fall. Follow package directions carefully.
Milky Spore: This is a natural disease that kills Japanese beetle grubs. It is very slow-acting but can work for many years once it’s in the soil. It only affects Japanese beetle grubs, not other types.
Insecticides (Use with Caution): Some lawn products kill grubs and insects. Be very careful with these. Use them only if needed. Choose products that target grubs specifically. Always read the label and follow instructions exactly. Think about how chemicals might affect other living things, like bees or pets. Many people prefer natural methods to avoid chemicals.

Caring for Your Lawn

A healthy lawn can also help.

Proper Watering: Water your lawn well, but don’t keep it too wet all the time. Very wet soil can be easier for armadillos to dig in and might attract more worms and insects to the surface. Water deeply but less often.
Mowing Height: Keep your grass a bit longer. Taller grass blades can make it harder for armadillos to walk and dig easily.
Fertilizing: A healthy lawn can recover faster from any digging damage.

By reducing the bugs in your lawn, you make your yard a less appealing place for armadillos to look for food. This is a key step in stop armadillos from digging.

Using Repellents

Many people look for things to spray or place in their yard to make armadillos stay away. These are called repellents. There are different types, including natural and homemade options.

Exploring Natural Armadillo Repellents

Many people want to use safe, natural things to repel armadillos. These options try to use smells or tastes that armadillos don’t like.

Castor Oil: This is a very common natural ingredient for armadillo repellents. It works by making the ground taste bad to them and maybe irritates their noses. Mix castor oil with soap and water.
- How to make a simple castor oil mix:
  - Mix 6-8 ounces of castor oil with 1-2 ounces of liquid dish soap.
  - Mix this well. This is your concentrate.
  - To use, mix 2 tablespoons of this concentrate with 1 gallon of water.
  - Put this mix in a sprayer or watering can.
  - Spray or sprinkle it on the areas where armadillos are digging. Water it into the soil slightly so it gets into the ground.
- Apply this mix in the late afternoon or evening when armadillos are most active. You might need to apply it every few days, especially after rain, until the armadillos stop coming.
Cayenne Pepper or Other Spicy Sprays: Armadillos have a good sense of smell. Strong, spicy smells can bother them.
- You can sprinkle cayenne pepper powder around holes or garden beds.
- A spicy spray can be made by boiling spicy peppers (like jalapeños or habaneros) in water. Let it cool, strain out the pepper pieces, and put the liquid in a spray bottle. Add a little dish soap to help it stick. Spray this around the yard. Be very careful not to get this in your eyes or on your skin. Reapply often, especially after rain.
Garlic or Onion: Strong smells from garlic or onions might also bother armadillos.
- Crush garlic cloves or chop onions. Soak them in water. Strain the liquid and use it as a spray.
- You can also bury garlic cloves or onion pieces near where they dig.

These natural armadillo repellent options are generally safe but may need to be used often to work.

Creating Homemade Armadillo Repellents

Making your own repellents lets you know exactly what is in them. Many homemade recipes use ingredients you might already have.

Simple Soap and Water: Some people find that just spraying soapy water where armadillos dig can sometimes deter them. The soap can irritate their skin and make the ground less pleasant. Mix a few tablespoons of liquid dish soap in a gallon of water and spray.
Mixtures with Strong Smells: Combine ingredients known for strong smells:
- Recipe Example:
  - 1 gallon water
  - 1 cup castor oil
  - 1 cup dish soap
  - 1 head of crushed garlic or 1 chopped onion
  - Optional: A few tablespoons of cayenne pepper
  - Mix all ingredients well. Let it sit for a day, then strain out the solids. Use the liquid in a sprayer.
- Apply this mix where armadillos are active. The strong smell and taste should make them want to find food elsewhere.

Making homemade armadillo repellent can be a budget-friendly way to try to deter them. Keep in mind that the effectiveness of homemade repellents can vary. You might need to experiment to see what works best for your situation and the armadillos in your area. Regular reapplication is key.

Considering Commercial Repellents

Many products are sold in stores specifically to repel armadillos. These are often marketed as the best armadillo repellent. They usually contain ingredients like castor oil, predator urine (like coyote or fox urine), or strong-smelling plant oils.

How they work: Commercial repellents typically use strong smells or tastes that signal danger or make the food source unappealing to the armadillo. Predator urine is meant to make the armadillo think a predator is nearby. Castor oil and plant oils make the soil smell and taste bad.
Applying Commercial Products: Follow the label instructions exactly. They will tell you how much to use, how often to apply it, and where to spray or place the product. Commercial repellents often come in ready-to-spray bottles or granules you spread on the ground.
Effectiveness: Commercial repellents can work for some people, but results vary. Like homemade options, they often need to be reapplied regularly, especially after rain or watering. Read reviews and look for products specifically for armadillos.

Choosing the best armadillo repellent depends on your preference for natural vs. commercial options and what you find most effective in your yard. Repellents work best when used along with other methods, like reducing their food source.

Building Physical Barriers

Sometimes, the best way to keep armadillos out is to create a fence or barrier they cannot get past. This is known as an armadillo fence barrier.

Building a Simple Fence

Armadillos are not good climbers, but they are excellent diggers. Any fence needs to go into the ground to stop them.

Material: Use sturdy fencing material. Chicken wire, hardware cloth, or wire mesh are good choices. The holes should be small enough that they can’t squeeze through (though armadillos are relatively large).
Height: The fence doesn’t need to be very tall above the ground, maybe 1-2 feet.
Depth: The most important part is how deep the fence goes into the ground. It should go at least 1 foot deep, and bending the bottom foot outwards (away from the area you are protecting) in an ‘L’ shape helps even more. This outward bend stops them if they try to dig down right next to the fence.
Angle: Installing the fence at an outward angle (about 30-45 degrees) can also make it harder for them to push or dig their way in.
Posts: Use strong posts to hold the fence up. Place posts close enough together to keep the fence taut.
Installation: Dig a trench about 1 foot deep along the area you want to protect. Place the fencing in the trench, making sure the bottom foot is bent outwards. Backfill the trench with soil, tamping it down firmly. Secure the top of the fence to posts.

This kind of fence can be very effective to keep armadillos out of garden beds or specific areas of your yard.

Protecting Specific Areas

You might not need to fence your whole yard. You can build smaller barriers around:

Flower beds
Vegetable gardens
Around the base of decks or sheds where they might try to live

Using fencing or even solid materials like stones or bricks placed deep in the ground around these spots can provide good protection. Remember, the key is preventing them from digging under the barrier.

A well-built armadillo fence barrier is one of the most reliable ways to prevent armadillo digging damage in a specific area.

Exploring Other Armadillo Control Methods

Besides taking away food, using repellents, and building fences, there are other ways homeowners try to manage armadillos. These are part of broader armadillo control methods.

Lights and Sound

Armadillos are nocturnal, meaning they are active at night. Bright lights or sudden noises might startle them and make them leave.

Motion-Sensor Lights: Install lights that turn on when something moves. If an armadillo walks into the area, the light suddenly turning on can scare it away. Place these lights around the edges of your yard or near problem spots.
Radios or Loud Noises: Some people try placing a radio playing loudly near where armadillos are active at night. Sudden loud noises might also deter them. However, armadillos can get used to these things over time, making them less effective. Also, consider your neighbors before using loud noises.

These methods are often temporary solutions and work better for startling an armadillo passing through than for one determined to find food in your yard.

Trapping (Use with Caution)

Trapping is an option, but it comes with challenges and responsibilities. It is often not the recommended first step for homeowners and may require contacting wildlife professionals.

Types of Traps: Live traps (like cage traps) are used to catch the animal without harming it.
How Trapping Works: You place the trap near where the armadillo is active, perhaps along a fence line or path they use. You might use bait, though armadillos are not easily lured by typical baits. A guiding fence leading into the trap is often more effective.
Challenges of Trapping:
- Effectiveness: Armadillos can be hard to trap.
- Relocation: Moving trapped armadillos can be difficult. In many places, it is illegal to move trapped wildlife and release it somewhere else. Relocated animals may not survive or could cause problems in a new area.
- Handling: Armadillos can carry diseases, including leprosy (though the risk to humans is very low with casual contact). Always wear heavy gloves and use caution if you must handle a trap with an armadillo in it.
- Regulations: Check local wildlife laws before attempting to trap. You might need a permit or be required to use a professional service.
Professional Help: If you have a serious armadillo problem and want to consider trapping, it is often best to call a professional wildlife removal service. They have the right equipment and know the laws for your area.

For most homeowners, focusing on preventing armadillos from wanting to be in the yard (food source removal, barriers, repellents) is a better approach than trapping.

Understanding Legal Aspects

Before using any armadillo control methods, especially trapping or lethal means (which are not covered here as the focus is on repelling), check the laws in your state and local area. Regulations on wildlife vary greatly. Some areas might protect armadillos or have specific rules about how they can be handled.

Combining Strategies for Better Results

No single method works 100% of the time for every armadillo. The best way to protect your yard is often to use several methods together. This combined approach increases your chances of success in controlling armadillo digging damage.

Layering Your Defenses

Think of it like having different layers of protection.

Layer 1: Make the yard less appealing. Focus on armadillo food source removal. Reduce grubs and insects. Improve lawn health. This is the base layer. If they can’t find food easily, they might not even try to dig.
Layer 2: Use repellents. Apply natural armadillo repellent or homemade armadillo repellent, or a best armadillo repellent from the store. Place these around the areas they are digging or where you want to keep them out. The unpleasant smell or taste adds another reason for them to leave. Remember to reapply regularly.
Layer 3: Build barriers. Install an armadillo fence barrier around gardens or parts of the yard you most want to protect. This physical block prevents them from reaching the protected area even if they are still trying to find food or passing through.
Layer 4: Add deterrents (optional). Motion-sensor lights can act as a surprise element if they still approach the yard.

By using multiple layers, you create a much stronger defense against armadillos and make it harder for them to settle in your yard or cause damage.

Consistency is Key

Whatever methods you choose, stick with them.

Keep up with lawn care to manage insects.
Reapply repellents as needed, especially after rain.
Check fence barriers regularly for any spots where they might be trying to dig under or around.

Being consistent makes your efforts much more effective at deterring armadillos over time and will help you stop armadillos from digging.

Preventing Future Problems

Once you have reduced or stopped the current armadillo activity, take steps to prevent them from coming back.

Continue Food Source Management: Keep your lawn healthy and continue to monitor for signs of large insect populations.
Maintain Barriers: Check and repair any fences or barriers you installed.
Reduce Shelter: Armadillos like to hide in dense bushes, under porches, or in piles of debris during the day. Clean up your yard to remove potential hiding spots. Trim low bushes, remove brush piles, and seal openings under structures.
Address Water: While not a primary draw like food, access to water can be a factor. Fix leaky faucets or irrigation heads that create puddles.
Educate Yourself: Learn about armadillo behavior in your area. Knowing when they are most active or what might attract them can help you take timely preventative steps.

By being proactive and making your yard less attractive and accessible, you can greatly reduce the chance of armadillos becoming a problem again.

Conclusion

Dealing with armadillos in your yard requires a bit of effort, but it is possible to protect your property from armadillo digging damage. The most effective approach involves understanding why they are there (food!) and using a combination of methods to discourage them.

Start by addressing the armadillo food source removal. Reducing grubs and insects in your lawn makes your yard less tempting. Then, consider using repellents, whether they are natural armadillo repellent, homemade armadillo repellent, or a purchased best armadillo repellent, to make the soil unpleasant. For key areas like gardens, installing a solid armadillo fence barrier that goes deep into the ground is a reliable way to keep armadillos out of garden beds. You can also try scare tactics like motion-sensor lights.

Using these different armadillo control methods together, and being consistent with your efforts, provides the best chance to stop armadillos from digging and keep your yard looking its best. Be patient, find the methods that work for your situation, and you can successfully repel armadillos from your yard.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

h4 Is it okay to trap and move an armadillo?

In many places, it is against the law to trap wild animals and move them somewhere else. Relocating animals can also harm the animal or cause problems in the new area. It is usually better to focus on making your yard unwelcoming to armadillos so they leave on their own. If you think trapping is necessary, check your local laws or call a professional wildlife service.

h4 Do coffee grounds repel armadillos?

Some people believe that strong smells like coffee grounds or mothballs can repel armadillos. However, there is little scientific proof that these methods work well or for very long. They are not usually listed among the most effective natural armadillo repellent options. Focusing on reducing their food source or using proven repellents like castor oil is likely to be more effective.

h4 Will mothballs keep armadillos away?

Mothballs contain chemicals (naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene) that have a strong smell. While the smell might be unpleasant, mothballs are not proven to be an effective way to repel armadillos. Also, mothballs can be harmful to pets, children, and other wildlife. Their use outdoors is often not recommended and can be against the law in some places because they can pollute the environment.

h4 How deep do armadillos dig?

Armadillos usually dig shallow holes, only a few inches deep (1-3 inches), when they are looking for food like grubs and worms. These are the holes that cause common armadillo digging damage in lawns. However, they can dig much deeper burrows (up to 15 feet long and 5 feet deep) for shelter, resting, or raising young. These burrows are usually under porches, decks, or near thick bushes and can cause more serious issues.

h4 When are armadillos most active?

Armadillos are mostly active at night, especially during the warmer months. They often come out around dusk and forage for food during the night. During cold or very hot weather, they might be seen during the day. This is why applying repellents or setting up deterrents in the late afternoon or evening can be useful.

h4 How can I keep armadillos out of my vegetable garden?

To keep armadillos out of garden beds, the most effective method is often a physical barrier. Build a fence around the garden that is about 1-2 feet tall above ground and goes at least 1 foot deep into the ground. Bend the bottom part of the fence outwards in an ‘L’ shape. This stops them from being able to dig underneath the barrier. You can also try using strong-smelling repellents around the garden border.

h4 Do armadillos cause damage to house foundations?

Armadillos looking for shelter might dig burrows under porches, sheds, patios, or sometimes near house foundations. While they aren’t trying to damage the foundation directly, their digging activity can weaken the soil support under structures. This can potentially lead to settling or cracking over time. This is a more serious form of armadillo digging damage than lawn holes and often requires professional help to address the animal and repair the area. Sealing off spaces under structures is a good preventative step.