How To Get Rid Of Armadillo? (7 Effective Ways)

If you have noticed little holes around your yard, you may have an armadillo problem! Even though they are small, Armadillos can be a major nuisance and not only tear up your yard, but also your garden!

Although armadillos have been known to be almost impossible to catch, if you do it the right way, you can have your armadillo problem under control in no time. So, if you want to learn how to get rid of armadillos, keep reading!

How To Get Rid Of Armadillos

Even though they have a hard shell, armadillos are actually considered mammals! The name armadillo means “little armored one” because they have tough armor around their bodies.

Although these pests cause significant damage to gardens, they actually don’t prefer your fruits and vegetables. While armadillos may eat some fruits, their main food source consists of live grub-like insects and worms.

This is why they dig shallow holes in your dirt and travel through burrows, and shuffle through the mulch in your garden!

Even though armadillos can be tricky to get rid of, we have you covered! Here are the best ways to get rid of the armadillos on your property and keep them gone for good!

1. Clean Up Your Garden

Armadillos love overgrown bushes and tall grass because these areas usually have a plethora of insects to feast on. If you want to get rid of armadillos in your yard, trim back any shrubs or bushes, and mow any overgrown grass.

You can also use wire mesh to cover your gardens. This will guard your fruits and vegetables and other flowers and plants that may get dug up while the armadillo is scavenging for food.

It is also wise to clean up any over-ripe fallen fruit in your garden or from your trees, as these are great ways for armadillos to find insects.

Also, remove any dead plants or flowers around your yard, as these can attract many insects as well.

2. Repel Insects

Another step you can take to eliminate armadillos from your yard is to cut off their food source. Since armadillos love to eat insects and worms, you should consider using an insecticide to get rid of the insects.

However, there are a few downsides to eliminating insects from your garden. Plants rely on a hospitable environment with insects and worms, so eliminating too many insects and worms could kill your plants too.

Also, removing insects could create more burrows in your yard as they search for other food sources.

3. Try Electric Deterrents

Try Electric Deterrents

Electrical deterrents are another option that may prove handy in getting rid of armadillos. Things like motion-activated lights and sprinklers will scare off any armadillos that come close enough for them to activate.

They also make ultrasonic armadillo-deterring lawn lights that use bright flashing lights to scare away armadillos and other pests. These are solar-powered and have a coverage area between 30 and 2425 feet!

Although this will likely not completely eliminate the armadillos, it is a useful tool to use with other measures to deter them from places like your garden or other areas that they are attracted to.

4. Natural Solutions

If you are lucky, using armadillo repellent could be enough to repel these pests out of your yard completely. There are a few natural Armadillo repellents you can try first before resorting to commercial repellents.

Armadillos have a heightened sense of smell, so a strong odor, such as garlic, could be enough to deter these pesky critters. You can sprinkle crushed garlic near their burrows and in your garden, or you could even consider growing garlic in your garden!

You can also consider using peppers along with garlic. Cayenne peppers specifically contain a chemical called capsaicin, which wreaks havoc on an animal’s digestive system once consumed. You can grow cayenne peppers and other peppers containing this chemical and even sprinkle it around your garden. You can also make a mixture of ground cayenne peppers and water to spray around your house and other areas that the armadillos frequent.

Keep in mind using cayenne pepper around your garden will need to be something you do quite often, as it can easily be washed away when a storm comes through.

Other strong household ingredients you can try are vinegar, ammonia, or pine cleaner.

5. Commercial Repellents

If you would rather use a commercial repellent, there are a few options. Luckily, even commercial repellents are made to be safe for your garden, so you can safely spray them without damaging your lawn and precious crops.

Castor oil has been known to create a bad odor, so placing it inside an armadillo burrow could be enough to drive it out.

They also make yard and garden sprays, such as Dillo Dun, that you can find at most home and garden stores and online. These sprays utilize things like essential oils to repel armadillos and other creatures.

6. Set Cage Traps

Set Cage Traps

If you have tried all of the other options and you still have pesky armadillos ravaging your yard, the next step is to set a trap. Setting a trap isn’t as daunting as it sounds, and if done the right way, it can prove to be very successful!

Placement is key for trapping armadillos; they move underground, digging burrows to create a tunnel. To successfully trap an armadillo, you need to place the trap right outside its burrow.

The first step is locating the burrow, or burrows, that the armadillo uses. Armadillos usually run alongside buildings and bushes, as these places are filled with insects.

Once you locate the burrow, set the trap right in front of it, blocking off any areas the armadillo may escape. Think of it as creating a funnel.

You don’t have to use bait to trap armadillos; they usually just walk right in. However, if you choose to use bait, opt for stinky meat or a sugary substance such as marshmallows. You could also use a bowl of earthworms if you can find them.

Be sure to check in with your local wildlife laws before setting a live trap with or without bait. Live traps are illegal in some places, so you want to be sure you won’t be breaking the law before moving forward.

Pro tip: Try using two pieces of 4×4 plywood if the area is out in the open or there are too many open spaces for the armadillo to escape. You can use the plywood to attach “wings” to the trap, eliminating their chance of escaping.

7. Call a Professional

If you have too many armadillos, you have not had success getting rid of them on your own, or you don’t feel comfortable setting a live trap, you may have to call a pest control service for armadillo removal.

These professionals are trained and will remove the armadillos from your property humanely without causing any damage.

Extended tips

Extended tips

  • set up a trail cam in your yard so you can see where the armadillos travel. This will let you know where the hole is that the armadillo uses and how many armadillos you are dealing with. This will also let you know that you have an armadillo on your hands and not another critter, such as gophers or moles.
  • Once you have got rid of your armadillos, consider installing an in-ground fence. Armadillos can climb, but they usually stay underground. Make sure you install the fence. At least a foot underground, at around a 40-degree angle, and at least 3 feet above the ground. Alternatively, you can install an electric fence around your property. However, this is not a good option if you have children or pets, as electric fences can be quite dangerous and even fatal to children and animals
  • If you have one armadillo, you may have 5! Female armadillos have four babies at once, so even though they only bear young once a year, your garden may have been the perfect home for the armadillo to make her nest.
  • It is important to note make sure you practice safety with armadillos and make sure you wear gloves before handling them.
  • Armadillos carry the bacteria known to cause Hanson’s disease, also known as Leprosy. They also have extremely sharp claws and can scratch you, so try not to handle an armadillo unless absolutely necessary.

Conclusion

Armadillos are not a creature you want living in your yard and can cause extensive damage to your property if not taken care of quickly. Luckily, there are a few different ways you can handle your armadillo problem safely.

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