The presence of the nine-banded armadillo, the most common species encountered in the United States, is often first recognized by the damage left behind in lawns. These armored mammals forage primarily at night, leaving behind numerous shallow, cone-shaped holes as they root through the soil. This persistent digging mars the appearance of a manicured yard and results in uprooted bedding plants and disturbed garden beds. Regaining control of the property requires a multi-faceted approach that addresses the armadillo’s motivations for entering the space.
Addressing the Primary Food Source
Armadillos are prolific diggers driven by a highly developed sense of smell used to locate their preferred food source: soil invertebrates. While omnivores, their diet consists largely of insects, grubs, earthworms, and other small organisms found just beneath the surface. The continual search for these subterranean meals is the direct cause of the holes that appear overnight.
Removing or significantly reducing this food supply makes the yard a far less attractive foraging area. One effective strategy involves treating the lawn for larval insects, particularly grubs, which are a favored meal. This can be accomplished using chemical grub control products or by applying biological controls such as beneficial nematodes, which prey on soil-dwelling pests.
Reducing the amount of moisture in the soil also plays a significant role in reducing the insect population and making the ground harder to dig. Armadillos prefer to burrow and forage in moist soil, as damp conditions increase the activity and accessibility of earthworms and other invertebrates. Adjusting irrigation schedules to reduce overall saturation can make the yard less appealing to both the armadillos and the insects they seek.
Installing Physical Exclusion Barriers
While eliminating the food source reduces motivation, physical barriers provide the most reliable long-term solution by preventing entry. Armadillos are not adept climbers or jumpers, meaning a low, properly installed fence can be an effective deterrent. The fence material should be heavy-gauge wire mesh or hardware cloth, standing approximately one to two feet above the ground.
The design below the surface is far more important than the visible height, as armadillos tunnel under obstacles. The mesh must be buried a minimum of twelve to eighteen inches deep to deter successful burrowing. For added security, experts recommend creating an L-shaped barrier by bending the bottom twelve inches of the wire mesh outward before burying it. This underground flange creates a horizontal obstruction that the armadillo encounters when attempting to dig down, causing it to abandon the effort.
It is also important to inspect and secure all potential entry points, particularly underneath decks, porches, and around foundation edges. Armadillos frequently attempt to establish burrows in these sheltered locations, which can lead to structural damage.
Deterrent and Repellent Applications
Methods relying on scent, taste, or sound are generally less dependable than exclusion or food control, but they can supplement other strategies. Commercial chemical repellents often utilize ingredients like capsaicin or naphthalene, which aim to irritate the armadillo’s sense of smell. The effectiveness of these products is often limited, as they require frequent reapplication, especially after rain, and may not penetrate the soil deeply enough to reach the food source.
Some products containing castor oil are marketed as repellents because they are designed to give the soil invertebrates an offensive taste, encouraging the armadillos to search elsewhere. This approach targets the animal’s motivation, but it requires thorough saturation of the affected area to be successful. Motion-activated devices, such as sprinklers or bright lights, offer a sensory deterrent that startles the animal upon detection. These devices are best used temporarily or to protect small, high-value areas, as armadillos may acclimate to the disruption over time.
Safe and Legal Removal Methods
If preventative measures fail and an armadillo has become established, live trapping remains the most practical method for immediate removal. Armadillos do not respond well to food baits because they instinctively forage beneath the soil, making trap placement the most important factor. Traps should be large, ideally a raccoon-sized cage trap.
The trap must be positioned directly in the armadillo’s known travel path, such as alongside a fence line or near an active burrow entrance, to intercept the animal as it moves. Using wooden planks or fencing wings to funnel the armadillo directly into the trap opening increases the probability of capture. Before attempting any trapping or relocation, homeowners must contact local Animal Control or state wildlife agencies. Regulations concerning the handling, transport, and release of nuisance wildlife vary significantly by jurisdiction, and relocation is often illegal without a proper license.