Armadillos are distinctive, armor-plated mammals known for their relentless burrowing habits, which often bring them into conflict with homeowners. These animals possess powerful claws and an instinct to dig, making them highly efficient at excavating soil in search of food and shelter. This activity often results in extensive property damage, particularly to manicured lawns, flower beds, and sometimes the structural integrity of foundations and sidewalks. Understanding the motivations behind this behavior is the first step toward managing their presence.
Identifying the Primary Attractant
The presence of an armadillo is directly linked to the availability of its preferred food sources: invertebrates found within the soil. Their diet includes a variety of insects, grubs, earthworms, and small arthropods that thrive in moist, loose ground. The animal’s strong sense of smell allows it to detect prey up to six inches beneath the surface, prompting characteristic digging behavior.
Evidence of armadillo feeding appears as a series of small, shallow, conical holes scattered across a lawn or garden area. These foraging excavations typically measure one to three inches in depth and are created when the animal pushes its nose into the ground to root out a meal. Soft, damp soil, especially after rain or irrigation, makes the ground easier to dig and increases the accessibility of their invertebrate prey.
A primary step in deterring armadillos involves removing this food incentive. Treating a lawn or garden for grubs and other subsurface insects significantly reduces the area’s appeal. Homeowners can apply beneficial nematodes, which parasitize soil pests, or utilize chemical control products to eliminate the insect population. Making the soil a less reliable source of nutrition makes the area less attractive for future foraging.
Physical Exclusion and Barrier Methods
While addressing the food source is important, physical barriers offer a direct method for preventing armadillos from entering specific areas. Fencing is an effective exclusion technique, but it must be constructed to defeat the animal’s burrowing instinct. A standard fence will not suffice, as armadillos can easily tunnel beneath the structure to gain access.
A successful exclusion fence should be made of sturdy wire mesh and installed low to the ground. The bottom edge of the wire must be buried into the soil at least twelve to eighteen inches deep. Bending the buried portion of the mesh outward at a forty-degree angle creates a subterranean apron that discourages digging directly alongside the barrier.
For structural areas like porches, decks, sheds, and foundation gaps, exclusion must ensure the animal is not sealed inside. Armadillos frequently use these sheltered spaces for rest or to create deeper burrows. Before sealing gaps with durable materials like concrete or heavy-gauge wire, homeowners must confirm that all existing burrows are vacant.
Confirming vacancy can be done by loosely packing the burrow entrance with soil and observing it for several nights. Once the animal is confirmed gone, permanently blocking the access points prevents future intrusion. This physical modification is a long-term solution that eliminates potential den sites and travel corridors beneath structures.
Active Removal Using Trapping Techniques
Active trapping provides the most direct solution for immediate removal, utilizing large, sturdy live traps designed for medium-sized mammals. Traps measuring 24x12x10 inches or larger are recommended to accommodate the animal’s size. Trap placement is far more influential than the choice of bait, given the armadillo’s specialized diet.
Traps should be placed strategically along known travel paths, such as corridors adjacent to fences, foundations, or near burrow entrances. Armadillos follow established routes, so positioning the trap directly in their line of travel increases the likelihood of capture. The most effective placement involves creating a funnel that guides the animal directly into the trap opening.
Funneling can be accomplished using wooden boards, fencing sections, or concrete blocks to create a chute leading straight to the entrance. Obstructing the animal’s path on both sides ensures the only clear way forward is through the enclosed trap. This method capitalizes on the armadillo’s tendency to follow the path of least resistance.
Baiting is challenging because their diet of live invertebrates makes commercial baits ineffective. Materials like overturned soil, spoiled vegetables, or earthworms in pantyhose can be used to mask the trap’s scent. The function of this material is to make the trap seem less foreign or encourage investigation, not to serve as a compelling food incentive.
Armadillos are nocturnal, meaning they are most active between dusk and dawn when foraging. Traps should be set in the late afternoon and checked early the following morning. This ensures any captured animal is not left exposed for an extended period.
Safety and Legal Considerations for Wildlife
After trapping an armadillo, property owners must understand that subsequent steps are governed by local regulations concerning nuisance wildlife. Laws regarding the relocation, release, or disposal of captured animals vary significantly by municipality and state. Contact local animal control services or state wildlife agencies before trapping to understand the specific legal requirements for handling the animal.
Handling any wild animal requires extreme caution. Armadillos are known carriers of certain pathogens, including the bacteria that causes leprosy, and they pose a low risk of transmitting rabies. Thick, protective gloves must be worn when approaching or moving a trap containing a captured armadillo.
The trap should be covered with a dark cloth or blanket to help keep the animal calm before transport. The animal should never be touched directly, and movement of the trap must be slow and deliberate. Following the guidance of local wildlife authorities ensures compliance and minimizes the risk of injury or disease transmission.