Armadillos are unique mammals known for their bony, protective armor, and they are expanding their range across the southern and central United States. These primarily nocturnal animals use powerful claws to dig extensively, a habit that conflicts with manicured lawns and gardens. The damage they cause is a direct result of their feeding and sheltering behaviors, leading many homeowners to seek methods of identification and removal.
Physical Damage and Potential Health Concerns
The most common sign of armadillo activity is the creation of shallow, conical holes across turf and garden beds. These foraging pits typically measure between one and three inches deep and three to five inches wide as the animal searches for food just beneath the soil surface. This constant rooting uproots ornamental plants and destroys the smooth appearance of lawns, often leaving behind a pock-marked surface.
Beyond surface damage, armadillos construct larger burrows for shelter and nesting. These main tunnels are substantial, often seven to eight inches in diameter and extending up to 15 feet in length, though some can reach 25 feet. When dug near structures, these deep burrows can compromise the stability of sidewalks, driveways, patios, and even the foundations of homes.
Armadillos are associated with the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae, which causes Hansen’s disease (leprosy). The nine-banded armadillo is a known natural reservoir for this microbe. While the risk of transmission to humans is low, contact with the animal’s blood, tissue, or droppings presents a possible route of infection. Direct handling of live or deceased armadillos should be avoided.
Distinguishing Armadillo Signs from Other Pests
Identifying armadillo damage requires observing the distinct pattern of their foraging and burrowing, which differs significantly from other common lawn pests. The shallow, cone-shaped holes are characteristic of an armadillo using its snout to root out subterranean insects. These holes are generally uniform in size and scattered randomly where the animal has detected food.
This damage contrasts with the work of moles, which create raised ridges or tunnels just below the surface and symmetrical, volcano-shaped mounds of dirt. Skunks also dig for grubs, but they often leave smaller, more precise holes than the armadillo’s wider, conical pits.
Targeting the Underlying Food Source
The primary reason armadillos are attracted to residential areas is the presence of their preferred diet, which consists mainly of soil invertebrates. They actively seek out beetle larvae, earthworms, and especially grubs using their strong sense of smell. Because the animal is driven by this food source, the most effective long-term strategy for deterring armadillos involves managing the insect population in the yard.
Reducing the concentration of subterranean insects makes the yard less appealing, encouraging the armadillo to seek food elsewhere. Homeowners can apply targeted grub control treatments or introduce beneficial nematodes, which parasitize insect pests in the soil. While chemical control is an option, it requires careful application and consistent re-treatment. Removing the armadillo’s incentive to forage provides a non-confrontational means of habitat modification.
Exclusion and Humane Removal Strategies
Direct intervention involves using physical barriers to exclude the animals from vulnerable areas. To prevent armadillos from burrowing under structures like decks, sheds, or fences, a trench should be dug and lined with galvanized wire mesh or hardware cloth. This mesh should be buried at least 12 to 18 inches deep and extended outward at a 90-degree angle, creating an “L-footer” that the armadillo cannot dig past. The above-ground portion of any fence should be at least three feet high and angled outward to prevent the animal from climbing or jumping over it.
While some homeowners experiment with strong scents, no commercial repellents have been scientifically proven to be consistently effective against armadillos. When activity persists, live trapping remains a common method of removal. A single- or double-door cage trap (such as 10x12x32 inches) should be set along a known armadillo pathway or near a burrow entrance. Trapping is most successful when wooden “wings” are used to funnel the animal directly into the cage, often eliminating the need for bait. Homeowners must first consult local and state wildlife regulations regarding the trapping, handling, and relocation of wild animals. Professional wildlife control assistance is advisable for legal compliance and safe handling.