There is no one “quick fix” for getting rid of armadillos and keeping them away. You may have to try a combination of things over time. You can use scent repellents and fencing, as discussed above, to try and keep them out in the first place.
Full Answer
How do you keep armadillos out of your yard?
You can try putting boards down along the bottom of a fence to keep armadillos from digging under, or put down chicken wire in known problem areas. The chicken wire, in particular, will make it hard to dig without killing the plants and grass underneath.
Can you put a fence around an armadillo?
Though having just one armadillo may not warrant putting up a fence, if it is a recurring problem a fence may be your best option. The material of the fence doesn't matter as long as it's sturdy and is installed a foot into the ground.
Do armadillos dig up the ground?
If an armadillo locates a good source of food on your property, they can do a lot of damage trying to dig up the ground to get to it more easily. Armadillos are also known for their strong power of smell which assists them in finding food.
What will repel an armadillo?
The best deterrent is to make your yard smell. Armadillos hate the smell of ammonia, vinegar and mothballs [source: MSU]. Using any of these items regularly will ward off armadillos. Trapping For effective trapping, place more than one trap in various locations, especially near the armadillos' burrows.
How do moth balls get rid of armadillos?
Some people try to use mothballs to keep armadillos away, since the are are small enough that they can be sprinkled around the fence without being an eyesore. However, this commonly-used repellent does absolutely nothing to deter armadillos, and it in fact poisons the environment and is a human carcinogen.
What repels armadillos naturally?
Pungent odors like garlic can disrupt armadillos' ability to smell and might be unpleasant enough to deter them from your property. Try placing cloves of crushed garlic where you suspect armadillos are lurking. Similar to garlic, cayenne pepper's natural qualities may deter armadillos.
What is the best way to get rid of armadillos?
Use an effective castor oil-based repellent to drive armadillos out and to prevent them from digging for food on your property. Castor oil is an all-natural oil that penetrates the ground, and repels armadillos in two ways: spoils the food sources (insects, grubs, etc.) underground, making them unpleasant to eat.
Does Pine Sol repel armadillos?
Armadillo experts recommend using a mix of moth balls and soil in styrofoam cups scattered around the perimeter of your yard or flowerbeds you want to protect. TIP: You can also use ammonia, vinegar, pine cones or Pine-Sol cleaner in cups or other disposable containers.
Does cayenne pepper keep armadillos away?
Like many burrowing animals, armadillos have poor eyesight but an extremely sensitive nose. The smell of insects drives them into your yard. To keep them out of your yard, sprinkle cayenne pepper around the perimeter. Armadillos don't like the strong smell, so they'll likely search elsewhere for food.
What time of night do armadillos come out?
Be sure to check local ordinances regarding discharge of firearms. However, as armadillos are primarily nocturnal–especially during the summer–shooting may not be a practical control. They are most active in the very late hours of the morning (2:00 to 5:00 a.m.), at least during the hot summer months.
Will vinegar get rid of armadillos?
You can spray around the ground of your yard with vinegar to deter armadillos. Be careful not to spray vinegar on your plants, as it can harm or kill some plant species. You can sprinkle some vinegar around the ground to keep them away from your garden soil.
How deep are armadillo burrows?
5 feet deepWhen building burrows, armadillos first use their nose and forefeet to pull back soil until submerged underground. Burrows can extend anywhere from 4 to 24 feet wide and 5 feet deep. As such, armadillo digging can potentially cause structural damage if near foundations and/or driveways.
Can an armadillo hurt you?
They are wild animals, and any wild animal should be treated with caution and respect, but the average armadillo is not a dangerous creature. They are capable of harming people with their strong claws if they are handled incorrectly, but in most cases they will run away when they feel that they are in danger.
Are armadillos good for anything?
While you don't want armadillos tearing up your lawn, they do provide a great service by eating undesirable insects.
What kind of hole does an armadillo dig?
The armadillo usually digs a burrow 7 or 8 inches in diameter and up to 15 feet in length for shelter and raising young. Burrows are located in rock piles, around stumps, brush piles, or terraces around brush or dense woodlands. In your yard they also like to burrow under air conditioning units.
How to keep armadillos from digging holes?
Armadillos often dig burrows, or large holes, as they are scavenging for food in the ground. If an armadillo has left a burrow in your yard, fill it up with dirt. This will discourage other armadillos from continuing work on the burrow and further disrupting your lawn.
How to keep armadillo from returning?
To deter armadillos from returning, install a fence that begins at least 1 foot below the ground.
How to catch an armadillo?
1. Purchase a live trap . An animal trap is a hands-free way to humanely catch an armadillo and get it out of your hair for good. Purchase a large one-door animal trap from a store like Home Depot or Walmart. Make sure that the trap you purchase is a live trap, also known as a catch-and-release trap.
How long do you keep armadillos in a trap?
Remember to treat armadillos kindly after you capture them! Don't keep them in the trap for more than an hour or so, and try to release them in a hospitable environment.
What to do if you have armadillos in your garden?
6. Purchase parasitic worms. If you are having trouble with armadillos in your garden, spread parasitic worms in your garden or flower beds. Parasitic worms feed on many of the insects that armadillos eat.
Where to place an armadillo trap?
If the armadillo likes a certain area of underbrush, place the trap with the mouth facing the path the armadillo usually takes. In general, armadillos prefer to crawl along the outskirts of a space rather than through the middle. Avoid placing the trap in the middle of the room or yard unless you've seen the armadillo there often.
When to set a trap for armadillo?
Since armadillos usually come out at nighttime and in the early morning, set your trap up during the afternoon when the armadillo is out of sight. Place the trap in an area you have seen the armadillo crawl through. If the armadillo has a burrow, place the trap with the mouth of the trap near the hole.
Are Armadillos Good to Have Around?
Armadillos are generally harmless little creatures. The main reason people want to get rid of them is the problems they can cause in lawns and gardens.
Can an Armadillo Hurt You?
Armadillos have spikes on their body armor as well as sharp claws. While they don’t make a point of attacking or attempting to injure anyone, they may scratch and thrash around if you try to handle them.
How Do You Get Rid of Armadillos?
Armadillos are not the easiest wildlife to get rid of, but they’re not the hardest to get rid of either. As long as you know what you’re doing, there are several methods of getting rid of armadillos that are highly effective.
How to Stop Armadillo Digging?
If you don’t mind having the armadillos around but don’t want them rooting up your lawn and flower beds, you may be wondering if there’s anything you can do to keep them from digging where you don’t want them to.
What Smells Do Armadillos Hate?
The most effective scent repellent for armadillos is castor oil. Armadillos, like other forms of wildlife, hate the smell of it and will move on to another area if you use it.
How Do You Keep Armadillos Out of Your Yard?
There is no one “quick fix” for getting rid of armadillos and keeping them away. You may have to try a combination of things over time.
Conclusion
There are several different ways you can get rid of armadillos. You can try trapping and relocating them, chasing them out of their burrows, using scent repellents to keep them away, and putting down barriers to keep them from digging, but please do NOT kill them!
How to keep armadillos away from my yard?
Try Pine Needles or Pine Bark. Some people who have had success keeping armadillos away from their yards insist that the smell of pine needles and/or pine bark can also deter them. On top of this, adding pine needles or bark to the yard may make it difficult for the armadillo to dig through the soil.
Why are armadillos considered pests?
Armadillos are also known for their strong power of smell which assists them in finding food.
How big should a live armadillos trap be?
Thus, it can be smart to purchase a live trap at a local hardware or department store. The ideal trap will be about 12” x 10” x 30”, large enough to capture the animal.
When do armadillos sleep?
They tend to be most active in the early morning hours. For approximately 16 hours a day, the average armadillo will sleep in a burrow. Early morning is when they emerge to forage. If you’re trying to catch armadillos on your property, this may be the best time to keep an eye out for them.
Can armadillos dig through the soil?
On top of this, adding pine needles or bark to the yard may make it difficult for the armadillo to dig through the soil.
Can armadillos be kept off your lawn?
Keeping Armadillos Off Your Lawn: 24 Remedies and Signs. On their own, armadillos are relatively harmless animals. The problem is, they can become pests for homeowners in certain situations. Armadillos are strong diggers and can do a lot of damage to a garden or lawn if they find their way onto your property when looking for food.
Can armadillos spread disease?
You should also know that armadillos can spread disease. This doesn’t happen often, but it is by no means impossible. Obviously, they aren’t the kinds of pests you want to have on your property. Luckily, there are many ways you can get rid of them without calling pest control.
How to keep armadillos out of your yard?
The following are some of the methods you can use to keep Armadillos out of your yard: Buy a fence. Establish small exits at the burrows. Make your yard inhospitable for the Armadillo. Remove organisms in your soil that attract the Armadillo. Use of Mothballs. Trapping the Armadillos.
How to prevent armadillo dogs?
They don't even seem to care about big scary dogs. The best armadillo prevention technique is actually strudy fencing, which goes down at least a foot into the ground, around the perimeter of the property. They'll easily dig under fencing that merely touches the ground. If you need help, we service the entire USA!
Why do dillos dig holes?
Dillos dig with the intention of looking for insects to eat or creating a place to hide in case predators or humans come around. They are therefore considered destructive animals. Constant digging of holes in people’s yards inconveniences many people and they come to consider Armadillos as a nuisance.
Where can I find armadillos in the US?
How to keep Armadillos out of your yard - Armadillos are wild animals found in Central regions of South America and in the central regions of the United States of America. They usually feed on insects primarily and sometimes on selected fruits of their preference.
Can armadillos dig through wood?
It is difficult for an Armadillo to dig through a hard wood chip. Get rid of small organisms that Armadillos feed on in your soil. By doing this, Armadillos will not be interested in the soil in your yard since it has nothing sumptuous to offers. Use of Mothballs Doesn't Work.
Do armadillos jump high from the ground?
Buy a durable and strong fence. The fence does not have to be tall because Armadillos do not jump high from the ground. A short strong fence that goes deep into the ground in recommended. The armadillo will not be able to dig a hole through the fence through the ground.
Can armadillos get trapped?
The Armadillos can get trapped and killed depending on how lethal the trap is. If you have an armadillo issue already you can keep them out of your yard with little or more strategic effort, but in a situation where the effort prove to be ineffective you can hire a professional to do that for you.
How to keep armadillos out of your yard?
Keeping Them Out of Your Yard. Now that we know where these holes come from and why the armadillos are digging them, it is time to take measures to keep them from doing so. Though they are not a threat to you, your vegetation, or your pets, no one wants to deal with a multitude of holes in the yard. Start by building a durable fence.
What is the best way to repel armadillos?
For those looking to implement a homemade method of repelling the armadillos, cayenne pepper can be great. Sprinkling the cayenne around your home can be effective at getting rid of the little grey pests. When they smell the cayenne, they will leave without hesitation.
Why do armadillos dig holes?
Armadillos dig holes mostly because they are looking for food. They look for worms, grubs, and other types of underground bugs and pests to snack on. Armadillos also tend to dig so that they can crawl into a dark, cool spot to sleep. It is not uncommon to find huge labyrinths created by these notorious little diggers.
How many hours do armadillos sleep?
Because armadillos are predominantly nocturnal, you may never actually see one. They tend to sleep about 16 hours each day and will only come out to forage around the times of dusk and dawn.
Where do armadillos live?
This makes sense given that armadillos typically live in warm and temperate habitats. That includes grasslands, rain forests, and semi-deserts. The grasslands and dry temperatures are particularly why they take up ...
Why are dogs good for armadillos?
Dogs are great because they can also literally chase away some pests. Keep in mind that there are some armadillos that can be quite stubborn and may not even care that there are dogs around to pose a threat to their habitat. With the most difficult of armadillos, trapping them may be the only recourse.
How to keep nocturnal animals from hiding?
Start by removing woodpiles, low-lying bushes, brush, and shrubs in which they can hide. Keeping your yard wide open gives them fewer options for shelter.
