The presence of an armadillo burrow can quickly escalate from a minor nuisance to a serious structural concern, as these tunnels can undermine sidewalks, porches, and foundations. Armadillos, driven by foraging and nesting instincts, cause significant damage to lawns and landscaping overnight. Successfully addressing this issue requires a strategic approach: removing the animal, repairing the damage, and implementing long-term prevention measures.
Identifying the Burrow and Armadillo Presence
Confirming an armadillo is the culprit is the first step, as other animals like skunks or gophers create different types of damage. The primary armadillo burrow is typically a single, large opening, approximately seven to eight inches in diameter, often shaped like a half-moon or an inverted U. These main burrows can extend up to fifteen feet in length and are frequently situated near dense cover, beneath low shrubs, or adjacent to structures like foundations, decks, or large rocks.
Secondary signs are shallow, cone-shaped foraging holes scattered across the lawn, measuring one to three inches deep and three to five inches wide. These small excavations occur as the nocturnal armadillo roots through the soil to locate insects and grubs. Skunk or squirrel foraging holes tend to be smaller, making the distinctive pattern of armadillo rooting a reliable indicator. Look for disturbed mulch beds or uprooted seedlings, which are often collateral damage from their nighttime search for food.
Humane Methods for Armadillo Removal
Removing the animal requires either live trapping or exclusion. Live trapping is highly effective and involves using a large cage trap, ideally measuring at least 10 inches by 12 inches by 30 inches. Placement is far more important than bait, as armadillos have poor eyesight and instinctively follow edges.
The most effective trap placement is directly in the armadillo’s travel path, such as along a fence line or right in front of the burrow entrance. Success increases by creating a funnel leading into the trap opening using six-foot-long boards or temporary fencing. Armadillos are insectivores and are not strongly attracted to food; however, commercial grub lures, earthworms, or overripe fruit can be used to motivate them into the trap.
Exclusion is a non-trapping method that uses a one-way door or funnel placed over the main burrow entrance. This device allows the armadillo to exit the tunnel to forage but prevents it from re-entering the space. Before installing the exclusion funnel, inspect the surrounding area and block any other secondary burrow entrances with heavy materials like steel mesh. This ensures the armadillo is forced to use the funnel to exit, after which it will not be able to return to its established home.
Check all traps or funnels daily, preferably in the morning, since armadillos are nocturnal. Contact your local wildlife agency to understand regulations regarding trapping and relocation. In many regions, particularly where the nine-banded armadillo is not native, it may be illegal to transport and release the animal elsewhere. Do not use exclusion methods during the spring, as a mother armadillo may have young inside the burrow, leading to the young perishing.
Repairing the Burrow and Landscape Damage
After removing the armadillo, you must confirm the tunnel is empty before beginning repairs. A simple method to check for activity is to loosely plug the entrance with wadded newspaper or crumpled leaves. If the plug remains undisturbed for two or three consecutive nights, you can be reasonably confident the armadillo has left and the burrow is vacant.
The physical hole must be filled to prevent collapse and deter other animals. Filling the extensive tunnel system is best done using soil, or a mixture of earth and pea gravel, which adds stability and makes it harder for animals to re-dig. Avoid using concrete or a solid plug, as this can redirect a persistent armadillo to dig a new hollow next to the sealed spot, worsening structural compromise.
Address shallow foraging holes by raking the disturbed soil back into the divots and covering the area with topsoil or fresh sod. Always wear gloves when working in an active area, as a precaution against potential contact with pathogens. Regular watering and fertilization will encourage the turf to fill in the disturbed patches and restore the landscape.
Making Your Yard Armadillo Proof
Long-term deterrence focuses on modifying the environment to remove the two main attractants: food and shelter. Armadillos primarily feed on soil invertebrates, so reducing their food source is the most effective prevention strategy. You can treat your lawn for grubs and other insects using a targeted insecticide or by introducing beneficial nematodes, which are a natural alternative.
Since armadillos are attracted to moist, loose soil, reducing excessive lawn irrigation makes your yard less appealing. Addressing drainage issues that create constantly damp areas helps keep the soil harder and less conducive to digging. Eliminate daytime hiding spots by removing piles of brush, wood, or dense, low-hanging ground cover where armadillos prefer to rest.
For a physical barrier, install a perimeter fence that extends both above and below the ground. The fence should stand at least 24 inches high and must be buried a minimum of 12 inches deep to prevent burrowing underneath. For maximum protection, bend the buried portion of the wire mesh outward at a 90-degree angle, creating an eighteen to twenty-four-inch horizontal apron beneath the soil surface. This buried “L” shape provides a false bottom that the armadillo cannot dig past, effectively excluding them.