8 Natural Ways to Get rid of Armadillos [Homemade Armadillo Repellent]

Armadillos are small mammals belonging to the family Dasypodidae. They are found mainly in Central and North America. There are 21 species of armadillo found in the world. Armadillos are found in warm and temperate habitats like grasslands, rainforests and semi-desert areas.

Armadillos are brownish in color and range in sizes from 6 inches long (Pichiciego) to 5 feet long (Giant armadillo). Armadillos, like pangolins, are unique animals that have natural armor.

This armor consists of a set of plates called carapaces which often cover their whole body. Armadillos feed on insects, snails, leeches, earthworms and any small creatures that they can find in the soil.

They are also fond of fruits and feed on the ones that have fallen from trees. Armadillos are nocturnal animals. They stay in their burrows during the daytime and come out to feed at night.

Despite their cute appearance armadillos are classified as pests due to their tendency to dig holes and cause destruction to structures. Apart from that, they are also carriers of leprosy.

Having armadillos around can be extremely harmful to both health and property. We have listed several natural methods to control armadillos.

10 Effective Ways to Get Rid of Armadillos Naturally

1. CageTrap

One of the best ways of getting rid of armadillos is to trap them in a cage and release them elsewhere. You can trap armadillos using a single-door raccoon or weasel trap cage. There is a trip pan inside the cage that triggers the door to shut when the animal steps on it.

The trap needs to be placed near the armadillo’s burrow in the path where the animal walks. Bait food is not required as armadillos always dig for their own food.

Required Material:

• Single door cage trap

Step by Step Process:

• Identify the armadillo’s burrow or hole.
• Place the cage in front of the burrow with the open end facing the burrow.
• Set up the trap by connecting the trigger rod to the trip pan.
• Leave it there till morning.
• If you are lucky, you might see the armadillo trapped inside. Relocate the animal to some other place outside your property.

Precautions:

Avoid touching the armadillo as it can carry diseases like leprosy which can be transmitted to humans.

2. Homemade Armadillo Trap (DIY)

Instead of purchasing a steel trap, you can also build your own wooden trap. Place the trap before the burrow entrance. The link to the video is given below. 

Required Material:

• Plywood boards for the sides 36”x12” (3 pieces).
• Plywood board for the top 30”x12” with a hole in the middle (1 piece).
• Plywood pieces for the doors 12”x2”x0.75” (12 pieces).
• Plywood piece for part of tripping mechanism 6”x2”x0.75” (1 piece)
• Small pulleys (4 pieces)
• Small hooks or eye screws(4 pieces).
• Plank for the top as shown in the video (1 piece)
• Small planks 14”x4”x0.75” (2 pieces)
• Planks 30”x4”x0.75” (4 pieces)
• Deck screws
• Drywall screws

Step by Step Process:

• Watch the video to understand as we take you through the steps.
• Screw 2 upright planks to the sidewall.
• Do the same with the other 2 upright planks on the other sidewall.
• Screw the two 14”x4” strips on each end of the sides of the trap.
• Do the same with the other side.
• Attach the bottom sheet with deck screws.
• Attach the top sheet with deck screws.
• Attach the 2×4 cross with deck screws.
• Attach the top with deck screws.
• Attach eye screws or hooks and pulleys and close eyelets.
• Attach the doors.
• Attach the lock.
• Create the trip mechanism which is a stick with a hole in it.
• Attach the trip mechanism to the pulleys and doors with strings
• When the armadillo bumps into the trip mechanism the door closes trapping the animal inside.
• Place the trap in front of the burrow with the open end facing the burrow.
• Leave it there till morning.
• If you are lucky, you might see the armadillo trapped inside. Relocate the animal to some other place outside your property.

Precautions:

Avoid touching the armadillo as it can carry diseases like leprosy which can be transmitted to humans.

3. White Vinegar

White vinegar has a strong smell to it that armadillos hate, making it an excellent repellent. If you have armadillos in your yard or property you can try this method.

Spray the area around the burrow or hole with vinegar. You can also soak a cloth with vinegar and keep it lying near the burrow.

The smell will drive the armadillo out and deter them from visiting your property. White vinegar is easily available in stores or can be ordered online.

Required Material:

• White vinegar
• Spray bottle
• Cloth

Step by Step Process:

• Identify the burrow or hole where the armadillo lives.
• Fill the spray bottle with white vinegar.
• Spray the area around the burrow opening.
• Alternatively, you can soak the cloth with white vinegar and place it near the burrow opening.
• The scent goes away over time, so repeated spraying may be necessary.

Precautions:

White vinegar is not harmful, so precautions are not necessary.

4. Pepper powder

Armadillos hate the smell of pepper. This method involves scattering pepper powder near the burrows dug by armadillos. You can also scatter the pepper around the perimeter of your yard or property.

The strong smell will deter the armadillos from coming again. Cayenne pepper has a pungent scent and is recommended for this method as it is easily available.

Required Material:

• Cayenne Pepper powder

Step by Step Process:

• Identify the armadillo burrows.
• Sprinkle the pepper powder in the area around the burrow opening.
• Sprinkle the pepper all around the yard perimeter.
• The strong smell will repel the armadillos and you will see the last of them.

Precautions:

Take care not to inhale the pepper powder as it can cause irritation in the nose, trachea, bronchi and lungs. Wear a mask while handling large quantities of pepper powder.

5. Predator Urine

Coyotes, dogs, foxes, wolves, bears and even raccoons prey on armadillos when they find them. You can use this to your advantage if you have armadillos burrowing in your property. Scatter predator urine granules near the burrows.

The armadillos with their strong sense of smell will pick up the scent. Fearing the presence of predators, they will leave in a quick time. You can purchase granules of bear, wolf, fox, raccoon and mountain lion urine from Amazon.

Required Material:

• Predator urine 

Step by Step Process:

• Identify the burrows where the armadillos are living.
• Scatter the urine granules near the entrance of the burrows.
• The strong scent of the predator urine will drive away the armadillos and deter them from coming near the area.

Precautions:

Use gloves while handling the urine granules. No other precautions are needed. 

6. Castor Oil

Castor oil is a good repellent of armadillos as they hate the smell. Spraying a solution of castor oil, dish soap and water near the burrow entrance can keep the armadillo at bay. Armadillos eat small bugs, earthworms and other creatures they can dig out of the ground.

Castor oil works by spoiling the taste of the armadillo’s food. With no good food available the armadillo soon leaves the area. Both castor oil and dish soap are easily available in stores.

Required Material:

• Castor oil
• Dish soap
• Water
• Bucket

Step by Step Process:

• Pour a gallon of water into a bucket.
• Mix castor oil and dish soap in the ratio 2:1 in the same bucket.
• Pour the solution all over your yard or property.
• Mix more if it is not enough.

Precautions:

Castor oil can cause stains, so be sure to wear old clothes while using this method. 

7. Motion activated sprinklers

Motion-activated sprinklers can be used to scare away armadillos from your yard or property. Once it detects motion the sprinkler will shoot a jet of water. In addition, some motion-activated sprinklers make noises too.

The water coupled with the noises is sure to scare the armadillos away. These sprinklers need to be placed at strategic locations like burrow entrances, property entry points and around the perimeter of your property.

The advantage of using this method is that not only does it deter armadillos but it also gets your plants watered.

Required Material:

• Motion activated sprinkler

Step by Step Process:

• Identify the armadillo’s burrow.
• Place the motion activated sprinklers near the burrow entrance, property perimeter and entry point.
• Connect the sprinkler to a tap and turn it on.
• Once the sensor detects the armadillo’s movement it will direct a stream of water towards it.

Precautions:

Don’t make contact with the armadillo as it can carry diseases like leprosy. 

8. Flush them out

If you have armadillos living in burrows in your yard or property you can flush them out with water. Use a garden hose to flood the burrows. The armadillos will come out quickly. They will look for other places to dig burrows once they realize your property is not safe enough for them.

Required Material:

• Garden hose
• Water

Step by Step Process:

• Identify the burrow where the armadillo is living.
• Connect the garden hose to a tap.
• Direct the hose pipe towards the burrow entrance and turn on the tap.
• Keep on spraying water in the burrow till the armadillo comes out.
• Once all the armadillos have left their burrows cover up the burrows with soil.

Precautions:

Don’t make contact with the armadillo as it can carry diseases like leprosy.

4 Natural Ways to Prevent Armadillos

We have looked at some of the best natural methods of getting rid of armadillos. Now let’s talk about natural ways of preventing them from making their burrows in your property.

1. Eliminate food source

Armadillos feed on insects, snails, leeches, earthworms and other small creatures. Apart from that they also eat fruit when they find them. Keep your yard, garden or property clean and free of trash and organic waste matter.

This will help in reducing the insect population which in turn will deter armadillos from visiting your property. Remove any fruit that has fallen from trees. With their food source, diminished armadillos will leave for other areas where they can get food in plenty.

2. Building a fence

The best way to keep armadillos out is to build a fence around your property. An important point to note is that when dealing with armadillos it is not the height but the depth at which the fence is embedded in the ground that really matters.

The fence should be at least 1.5 to 2 feet into the ground. This ensures that the armadillos will be unable to dig under it. The height of the fence can be around 2 feet but angled at about 45° to prevent the armadillos from jumping over it.

The fence should ideally be made of metal instead of wood to make it more durable. Low voltage electric fencing is also a good option if you really want to scare away animals by giving electric shocks. 

3. Planting garlic

Armadillos are not fond of garlic as the pungent smell irritates them. Growing garlic plants around your property perimeter can be a good deterrent for armadillos.

The pungent smell will keep them out of your property. According to a study in Florida this method has proved useful in preventing armadillos from entering residential areas.

4. Seal off holes

Armadillos do not generally enter homes. They are mainly found outside in the yard or property area. However, it is a good idea to take precautions to keep them from entering the house. The best way to do this is by sealing off all holes outside.

Pay particular attention to holes that lead into the basement. Cover any vents outside your home with chicken wire. All these precautions will ensure that armadillos do not enter your home. 

Top 5 Natural Armadillo Repellents Available Online

If you are looking for readily available natural repellents to get rid of armadillos, check below-listed options:

Final Words:

Armadillos are cute animals and could well be kept as pets if it were not for their destructive nature. Being natural diggers, they cause destruction to human dwellings.

Their tendency to carry diseases like leprosy is another reason armadillos are labeled as pests. Controlling them becomes important and for that, we have listed the methods above. We hope you find them useful.