What To Do If You Find An Armadillo In Your Yard

Armadillos are an armored, burrowing creature you'll often see meandering through the grasslands of the southeastern United States. They dig through loose soil, creating elaborate burrows for shelter and to raise their young in. The little creatures use their long claws to dig for food such as grubs, earthworms, larvae, and other ground-dwelling insects. This behavior, unfortunately, marks them as an agricultural pest and a backyard nuisance. In addition, armadillos can spread diseases to people, which is why you may not want one in your yard.

Unlike other critters you may find in your backyard, such as rabbits, armadillos typically only carry one young at a time. They are also solitary creatures. The good news is, if you do have an armadillo problem, you're likely not dealing with an invasion. 

If armadillos keep digging little holes in your backyard, don't panic! You can naturally and humanely banish armadillos from your yard in a few different ways. There are three key aspects to preventing armadillos from hanging around on your property: removing their food source, making your yard smell bad, and putting up physical barriers. Essentially, the best way to keep armadillos out of your yard is to make it as unappealing as possible to the creature before you spot them.

Your first order of business is creating a yard an armadillo wouldn't care to hang around in. Start by removing their food source. Look for signs of grubs in your yard. They typically cause brown spots in your lawn. Peel back the turf in these damaged areas to see if grubs are lingering in the soil. If you find any of these C-shaped grubs, you can get rid of them with beneficial nematodes, milky spores, or simply implement better lawn care. Most importantly, don't overwater. To keep other insects at bay, maintain a debris-free lawn. Armadillos know this is where bugs like to hide, so they're drawn to piles of fallen leaves, mulch, and wood.

Another natural way to turn armadillos away is by using their strong sense of smell against them. There are several different strategies. Scents including coffee grounds, peppermint, castor oil, and cayenne pepper really can keep armadillos out of your yard. Dilute oil in water and spray liberally around the perimeter of your lawn or in areas where you notice them digging. Sprinkle cayenne or coffee grounds in the same areas. It's important to continue spraying or sprinkling regularly. Even a little precipitation can wash away the scent.

If you've been battling an armadillo problem for a while and nothing seems to work, you may need to explore more drastic measures. While these solutions aren't as simple or cost-effective, they offer more of a guarantee that these critters won't be able to dig in your yard anymore. Start by blocking the burrow entrances once you're certain the animal isn't inside. Fill it in with gravel and soil.

One of the most effective long-term solutions is burrow-proof fencing. The fence should extend at least 12 inches deep below the surface and face out at an angle for the best results. This underground barrier should be made of sturdy material like sheet metal. The exposed upper fencing should be no shorter than 18 to 24 inches.

If all else fails, you may need to set a trap to capture the little creature. Before you go this route, make sure this is legal in your area and check with your local wildlife experts on how to safely handle and relocate the armadillo. If you're a little squeamish at the thought of handling the creature yourself, there are plenty of humane pest control professionals who can come to your rescue, too.