{"id":7952,"date":"2022-02-06T18:51:18","date_gmt":"2022-02-06T18:51:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/?p=7952"},"modified":"2026-08-07T23:54:17","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T23:54:17","slug":"how-to-get-rid-of-armadillos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-get-rid-of-armadillos\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Get Rid of Armadillos in Your Yard"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes has-medium-font-size\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th><strong>Key takeaways<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>&nbsp;\u2022 <strong>Armadillos dig<\/strong> for grubs, worms, and soil insects. Remove their food, and they\u2019ll move on.<br>&nbsp;\u2022 <strong>No repellent<\/strong>, mothball, or instant poison is proven to work.<br>&nbsp;\u2022 <strong>Buried, outward-slanted fencing<\/strong> and live-trapping near burrows and along barriers are the best fixes.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here\u2019s how to get rid of armadillos: Treat your lawn for grubs and other soil-dwelling insects to remove their food, block access with buried fencing, and live-trap any that remain. Skip the repellents; none are proven to work.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Armadillos are mostly nocturnal, so you\u2019ll wake up to cone-shaped holes and uprooted plants across your lawn. Left unchecked, they\u2019ll also dig burrows near foundations and decks that can cause structural damage.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A grub-free lawn is your best long-term defense, and Lawn Love&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/near-me\">local lawn care pros<\/a> can help you get there.<\/p>   <div class=\"wp-block-ub-table-of-contents-block ub_table-of-contents\" id=\"ub_table-of-contents-e0c6fa32-d561-46cf-b0f9-fc7d596acd4c\" data-linktodivider=\"false\" data-showtext=\"show\" data-hidetext=\"hide\" data-scrolltype=\"auto\" data-enablesmoothscroll=\"false\" data-initiallyhideonmobile=\"false\" data-initiallyshow=\"true\"><div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-header-container\" style=\"\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-header\" style=\"text-align: left; \"> \t\t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-title\" style=\"\">In this article:<\/div> \t\t\t\t \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-extra-container\" style=\"\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-container ub_table-of-contents-1-column\"> \t\t\t\t<ul style=\"\"><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-get-rid-of-armadillos\/#0-what-attracts-armadillos-to-your-yard\" style=\"\">What attracts armadillos to your yard?<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-get-rid-of-armadillos\/#1-armadillo-holes-and-yard-damage\" style=\"\">Armadillo holes and yard damage<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-get-rid-of-armadillos\/#2-how-to-get-rid-of-armadillos\" style=\"\">How to get rid of armadillos<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-get-rid-of-armadillos\/#8-are-armadillos-dangerous\" style=\"\">Are armadillos dangerous?<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-get-rid-of-armadillos\/#9-do-armadillo-repellents-work\" style=\"\">Do armadillo repellents work?<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-get-rid-of-armadillos\/#11-faqs\" style=\"\">FAQs<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>   <h2 id=\"0-what-attracts-armadillos-to-your-yard\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"what-attracts-armadillos-to-your-yard\">What attracts armadillos to your yard?<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Armadillos come for the food under your lawn. Their diet consists of about 90% invertebrates, such as grubs, <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/pros-cons-earthworms-yard\/\">earthworms<\/a>, beetles, and <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/pros-and-cons-of-ants-in-your-yard\/\">ants<\/a>. A moist, <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/lawn-watering-mistakes\/\">well-watered lawn<\/a> with loose soil is the easiest place to find them.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Beyond food, armadillos are drawn to yards with easy shelter like brush piles, woodpiles, and gaps under decks. Properties near forests or woodlands are especially vulnerable as armadillos move in from the tree line in search of food.<\/p>    <h2 id=\"1-armadillo-holes-and-yard-damage\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"armadillo-holes-and-yard-damage\">Armadillo holes and yard damage<\/span><\/h2>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AdobeStock_1772843308.jpg\" alt=\"A close-up of a single cone-shaped hole dug into a lawn by a foraging armadillo, surrounded by torn and uprooted grass blades and exposed dry soil.\" class=\"wp-image-47191\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AdobeStock_1772843308.jpg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AdobeStock_1772843308-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AdobeStock_1772843308-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AdobeStock_1772843308-610x406.jpg 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A hole in a lawn caused by a foraging armadillo. Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/images\/hole-damage-in-lawn-grass-from-armadillo-foraging-pest-control-lawn-care\/1772843308\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Brett<\/a> \/ Adobe Stock<\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The most common sign of armadillos is shallow, cone-shaped holes scattered across your lawn, typically 1 to 3 inches deep and 3 to 5 inches wide. You\u2019ll also notice uprooted plants, <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-mulch\/\">disturbed mulch<\/a>, and patches of torn-up turf where they\u2019ve been rooting for insects.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since armadillos are nocturnal, the damage appears overnight. You may also notice a faint musty odor near active burrow sites.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Armadillos also dig burrows up to 15 feet long, often near foundations, driveways, decks, or brush piles. Over time, these can undermine structures, damage tree roots, and expose pipes and wiring.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not sure if it&#8217;s an armadillo? <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-get-rid-of-moles-in-yard\/\">Moles<\/a> leave raised tunnels and mounds rather than open holes, and skunk or squirrel damage tends to be under 3 inches wide and less than 3 inches deep.<\/p>    <h2 id=\"2-how-to-get-rid-of-armadillos\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"how-to-get-rid-of-armadillos\">How to get rid of armadillos<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No single method will do it, but the more methods you combine, the better your results.<\/p>    <h3 id=\"3-1-remove-their-food-source\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"1-remove-their-food-source\">1. Remove their food source<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since armadillos dig for grubs and worms, treating your lawn for <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-get-rid-of-grubs-in-your-lawn\/\">grubs<\/a> is the most effective long-term deterrent. <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/beneficial-nematodes-for-pest-control\/\">Beneficial nematodes<\/a> or a labeled grub insecticide shrink the food supply that draws them in.<\/p>    <h3 id=\"4-2-clear-hiding-spots\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"2-clear-hiding-spots\">2. Clear hiding spots<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Remove brush piles, <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/best-way-to-remove-leaves-from-your-yard\/\">leaf litter<\/a>, and woodpiles from around your yard, and seal gaps under decks and sheds. A tidy, open yard gives armadillos fewer places to burrow and shelter.<\/p>    <h3 id=\"5-3-install-fencing\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"3-install-fencing\">3. Install fencing<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A buried fence is the most reliable way to protect high-value areas like gardens and flowerbeds. <a href=\"https:\/\/ask.ifas.ufl.edu\/publication\/UW082\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UF\/IFAS<\/a> recommends fencing that is about 24 inches above ground, buried about 18 inches deep, and angled outward at roughly 40 degrees so armadillos can&#8217;t dig under or climb over.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;When done correctly, exclusionary fences will keep out the majority of armadillos and reduce the need for other mitigation techniques,&#8221; says <a href=\"https:\/\/rwfm.tamu.edu\/people\/blum-marcus\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Marcus Blum<\/a>, PhD, assistant professor and extension wildlife specialist at Texas A&amp;M AgriLife Extension.<\/p>    <h3 id=\"6-4-live-trap-and-relocate\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"4-live-trap-and-relocate\">4. Live-trap and relocate<\/span><\/h3>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AdobeStock_499447062.jpg\" alt=\"A wildlife trapper in camouflage clothing kneeling beside a live trap cage containing a captured armadillo, surrounded by green plastic fencing set up in a residential backyard.\" class=\"wp-image-47192\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AdobeStock_499447062.jpg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AdobeStock_499447062-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AdobeStock_499447062-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AdobeStock_499447062-610x406.jpg 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A person kneeling beside a live trap cage containing a captured armadillo. Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/images\/trapper-trapped-an-armadillo-in-a-live-trap-wildlife-control\/499447062\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Carl Banks<\/a> \/ Adobe Stock<\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Armadillos don&#8217;t take bait, so trap placement is everything. Set a raccoon-sized cage trap at a burrow entrance or along a fence or wall they travel. Cover the wire bottom with leaf litter or soil to encourage entry.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Blum recommends &#8220;using funnel systems to direct armadillos into traps rather than attracting them with bait. You can use long boards or the sides of your house or fence to help funnel them into the trap.&#8221;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Pro tip: <\/strong>Before setting traps, check your state&#8217;s relocation laws.<\/p>    <h3 id=\"7-5-call-a-wildlife-or-pest-pro\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"5-call-a-wildlife-or-pest-pro\">5. Call a wildlife or pest pro<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If digging continues or burrows threaten your foundation, call a wildlife-removal expert. They can safely and legally trap and remove armadillos, and are often the fastest fix for a stubborn problem.<\/p>    <h2 id=\"8-are-armadillos-dangerous\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"are-armadillos-dangerous\">Are armadillos dangerous?<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Armadillos aren&#8217;t aggressive and rarely bite, but they&#8217;re not harmless. According to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/leprosy\/causes\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CDC<\/a>, they can carry the bacteria that cause leprosy (Hansen&#8217;s disease), and human cases have been linked to armadillo contact in Texas, Louisiana, and Florida.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/missouripoisoncenter.org\/armadillo-the-little-armored-one\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Missouri Poison Center<\/a> warns they may also carry rabies, so don&#8217;t handle armadillos bare-handed, and keep pets away.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h2 id=\"9-do-armadillo-repellents-work\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"do-armadillo-repellents-work\">Do armadillo repellents work?<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mostly no. According to <a href=\"https:\/\/edis.ifas.ufl.edu\/publication\/UW082\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UF\/IFAS<\/a>, no repellents, toxicants, or fumigants are registered or proven to get rid of armadillos. Save your money and effort for what works: removing grubs, fencing, and trapping.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;You can try repellents, but don&#8217;t be surprised if they ultimately fail,&#8221; Blum says.<\/p>    <h3 id=\"10-getting-rid-of-armadillos-what-works-vs-what-doesnt\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"getting-rid-of-armadillos-what-works-vs-what-doesnt\">Getting rid of armadillos: What works vs. what doesn&#8217;t<\/span><\/h3>    <figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Proven to work<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Doesn\u2019t work (skip these)<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Grub and insect control (removes their food source)<\/td><td>Mothballs<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Clearing brush, woodpiles, and hiding spots<\/td><td>Most sprinkle-on repellents(castor oil works as a limited, short-term deterrent)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Buried, outward-slanted fencing<\/td><td>Ammonia<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Live-trapping at burrows\/along barriers<\/td><td>Coffee grounds<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Professional wildlife removal<\/td><td>Ultrasonic repeller devices<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>    <h2 id=\"11-faqs\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"faqs\">FAQs<\/span><\/h2>    <div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1783438337674\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">How do I get rid of armadillos permanently?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">There&#8217;s no one-time fix. Permanent control means keeping the yard unappealing year-round by staying on top of grub control, maintaining your fencing, and promptly trapping or removing any armadillo that moves in.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1783438347765\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Will coffee grounds keep armadillos away?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">No. Coffee grounds are a popular home remedy, but there&#8217;s no evidence that they repel armadillos. Just like mothballs and ammonia, they don&#8217;t reliably work. Removing grubs and fencing the area are far more effective.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1783438360831\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Does cayenne pepper get rid of armadillos?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Not dependably. Cayenne or hot-pepper sprinkles may briefly irritate an armadillo&#8217;s nose, but they wash away with rain, and the animal comes back. No pepper-based product is proven to keep armadillos out.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1783438378487\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">What&#8217;s a natural way to repel armadillos?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">The most effective &#8220;natural&#8221; approach isn&#8217;t a repellent at all. Remove their food from the soil with beneficial nematodes or grub control, and eliminate places where they can shelter. Castor oil granules may help a little, but only briefly.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1783438393829\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">What&#8217;s the best product to get rid of armadillos?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Skip the repellent sprays. Your money is better spent on a sturdy live trap, hardware cloth or welded-wire fencing, and a grub-control product like nematodes or a labeled insecticide.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1783438402770\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">How do I fill armadillo holes and burrows?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Once you&#8217;ve confirmed the burrow is inactive, pack it with soil and gravel and tamp it down. Reseed bare spots so the lawn recovers and looks less inviting.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>    <h2 id=\"12-keep-armadillos-out-of-your-yard\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"keep-armadillos-out-of-your-yard\">Keep armadillos out of your yard<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Keeping armadillos out of your yard comes down to a healthy, grub-free lawn and a little vigilance. If you&#8217;d rather leave it to a pro, <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/near-me)\">Lawn Love<\/a> makes it simple \u2014 get an instant quote, pick a time, and a vetted local pro will handle the rest.<\/p>    <h3 id=\"13-get-a-free-estimate-near-you-%E2%86%92-\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span id=\"get-a-free-estimate-near-you-%e2%86%92\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/near-me\"><strong>Get a free estimate near you \u2192<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Main Image: A nine-banded armadillo foraging in a grassy yard. Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/photos\/armadillo-mammal-nature-fauna-3620078\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">KMcCall<\/a> \/ Pixabay<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Armadillos digging up your yard? Learn how to get rid of armadillos: remove their food source, fence them out, and trap them. Repellents don&#8217;t work. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":96,"featured_media":7956,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[294],"tags":[161],"class_list":["post-7952","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pest-control","tag-pest-control"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/rsz_1armadillo-g3d3e1ad59_1280.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Amanda Shiffler","author_link":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/author\/amanda-shiffler\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7952","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/96"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7952"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7952\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":48258,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7952\/revisions\/48258"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7956"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7952"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7952"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7952"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}