How To Get Rid Of Armadillos: Humane, Evidence‑Based Methods
Armadillos can cause extensive damage to lawns, gardens, and landscaping as they dig for insects and grubs. Effective control focuses on understanding their behavior, removing what attracts them, and using humane, legal methods to exclude or remove them.
Below is an up‑to‑date, fact‑based guide on how to get rid of armadillos, based on wildlife agency and university extension recommendations.
Understanding Armadillo Behavior
Why Armadillos Are in Your Yard
Nine‑banded armadillos (the common species in the U.S.) are primarily insectivores. According to the University of Florida IFAS Extension, they feed mostly on insects, grubs, and other invertebrates and are especially active at night or in the early morning, rooting in soil and turf for food (UF/IFAS Extension, “Armadillos”). That’s why well‑watered lawns, mulched beds, and areas rich in soil invertebrates are prime targets.
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension notes that armadillos are attracted to:
- Moist, loose soils rich in insects and grubs
- Mulched or irrigated garden beds
- Sheltered areas for burrows, such as brush piles or under decks and foundations
They typically create burrows 7–8 inches in diameter and can dig multiple burrows across a property.
Step 1: Confirm That Armadillos Are the Problem
Before you try to get rid of armadillos, confirm they are the source of the damage.
Common signs (described by Texas A&M AgriLife and UF/IFAS) include:
- Conical holes in soil or turf, about 1–3 inches deep, where they root for food
- Uprooted plants or disturbed mulch in beds
- Burrow openings approximately 7–8 inches in diameter, often near structures, tree roots, or brush piles
If you see these signs plus nighttime activity or tracks (four toes in front, five behind, with a long tail mark), it’s likely armadillos rather than raccoons, skunks, or other wildlife.
Step 2: Reduce What Attracts Armadillos
Manage Food Sources
Armadillos are highly food‑driven. Reducing their food can make your property less attractive, although wildlife agencies caution that this alone may not remove an established animal.
Recommendations from university extensions and wildlife agencies include:
- Improve lawn health and drainage: Over‑irrigation can increase soil invertebrates that armadillos seek. Proper irrigation and turf maintenance can reduce grub populations and the loose, moist soils armadillos prefer.
- Use grub and insect management where appropriate: Some extensions note that reducing grub populations can lessen digging pressure, but they also emphasize it may not fully stop armadillos because they eat a variety of invertebrates. Follow local regulations and product labels if you use any pest management products.
Remove Shelter and Cover
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and other wildlife resources recommend reducing hiding and denning spots:
- Remove brush piles, woodpiles, and thick groundcover near buildings.
- Repair low openings under sheds, decks, and porches with proper exclusion methods (see fencing below).
- Keep vegetation around structures trimmed to reduce the appeal of these areas for burrows.
These steps are preventive—they make your yard less appealing to new armadillos once current animals are removed.
Step 3: Use Fencing and Exclusion
Armadillo‑Resistant Fencing
Physical barriers are among the most reliable long‑term solutions.
Wildlife guidance (such as from state extensions and the U.S. Department of Agriculture) generally recommends:
- Fence height: Around 2 feet above ground. Armadillos are poor climbers but can jump when startled, so a modest height is usually enough.
- Buried barrier: Extend the fence 12–18 inches below ground in an L‑shape facing outward to prevent them from digging under.
- Mesh size: Hardware cloth or wire mesh with small openings so armadillos cannot squeeze through.
Fencing is especially useful around:
- Garden beds and landscaping
- Foundations, decks, and crawlspaces
- Sensitive areas like newly sodded lawns
For detailed, practical guidance on wildlife‑resistant fencing, resources like the Mississippi State University Extension Service and other land‑grant university extensions provide diagrams and construction tips in their wildlife damage management materials.
Step 4: Trapping Armadillos (Where Legal)
Check Local Laws First
Many states regulate or restrict capturing, relocating, or killing armadillos. State wildlife agencies, such as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, emphasize that landowners must follow local regulations and may need permits for certain control methods.
Always verify current rules on your state wildlife or natural resources agency website before trapping or removing armadillos.
Live Trapping Methods
Where permitted, live trapping is a commonly recommended removal method by university extensions:
- Use a sturdy live trap (often 10x10x32 inches or similar), sized for raccoon‑type animals.
- Place the trap on active travel paths or directly at burrow entrances. Armadillos often use the same paths along fences, foundations, or natural edges.
- Use wings or funnel boards: Extensions describe using short boards or wire panels set at angles to guide the animal into the trap. Armadillos have poor eyesight and tend to follow barriers.
- Bait may be optional: Some agencies note that armadillos can be effectively trapped without bait by funneling them, but if bait is used, spoiled fruit or earthworms are sometimes recommended. Always secure bait so it doesn’t interfere with the trap mechanism.
Because capture and disposition of wildlife raise legal and humane concerns, many wildlife agencies suggest contacting a licensed wildlife control operator if you are unsure how to proceed.
For a practical, regulation‑oriented overview, consider consulting state extension resources and wildlife agency pages on armadillo damage management, such as those referenced in armadillo control sections by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and similar land‑grant universities.
Step 5: Lethal Control and Professional Help
Lethal Removal
Some states allow landowners to humanely kill nuisance armadillos under certain conditions; others restrict or prohibit this or require special permits. Wildlife agencies stress:
- Methods must be humane and comply with state law.
- In many areas, discharge of firearms is restricted in residential zones.
- Relocation may be regulated or discouraged because of disease and ecological concerns.
Because these regulations vary, your state wildlife agency website is the authoritative source on what is allowed. For example, agencies like the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department publish up‑to‑date rules and guidance on nuisance wildlife control.
When to Call a Professional
If:
- You have multiple burrows or ongoing damage,
- Local laws are complex, or
- You’re uncomfortable trapping or handling wildlife,
contacting a licensed nuisance wildlife control operator is often the safest and most efficient option. State wildlife or natural resources agencies usually maintain directories of licensed operators; for instance, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and similar agencies in other states provide lists or guidance on finding permitted professionals.
What About Repellents and Home Remedies?
University and wildlife agency sources generally report limited or inconsistent evidence for most home remedies and consumer repellents against armadillos:
- Ultrasonic devices, household chemicals, or scattered products are not consistently supported by controlled studies.
- Some commercial repellents target armadillos indirectly by making soil less attractive, but extensions often note that these may offer only short‑term or mixed results.
Because these methods are poorly supported in the scientific and extension literature, wildlife agencies usually recommend prioritizing habitat modification, exclusion, and (where legal) trapping over relying on repellents.
For evidence‑based evaluations of wildlife repellents, resources from land‑grant universities and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA‑APHIS) offer science‑based assessments.
Preventing Future Armadillo Problems
Once you have removed current armadillos, prevention focuses on making your property a less attractive habitat:
- Maintain well‑drained lawns and avoid excessive irrigation.
- Use grub and insect management judiciously to reduce food availability, following all label and local requirements.
- Keep areas under decks, sheds, and porches closed off with buried hardware cloth or similar barriers.
- Remove brush piles and dense ground cover close to structures.
- Consider permanent fencing around especially valuable or vulnerable areas.
Resources like the University of Florida IFAS Extension’s armadillo factsheets and similar documents from other land‑grant universities provide additional detail on long‑term habitat management and exclusion.
Key Takeaways
- Armadillos are attracted to moist, insect‑rich soil and available cover.
- The most reliable, evidence‑based methods to get rid of armadillos are:
- Confirming the species and activity,
- Reducing food and shelter,
- Installing exclusion fencing, and
- Using legal, humane trapping or professional removal where necessary.
- Always check your state’s wildlife regulations before attempting trapping, relocation, or lethal control.
By combining habitat modification, exclusion, and lawful, humane removal—guided by reputable sources such as university extensions and state wildlife agencies—you can manage and prevent armadillo damage effectively and responsibly.
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