Getting Rid of Armadillos

Armadillos are a major problem in some parts of the United States, including Florida and Texas, and getting rid of them can be a challenge. While they won't hurt you or destroy your home, they can wreak havoc in your yard or under your home. They like to burrow and may damage pipes. wiring, or even your foundation if they decide to burrow under your house.  Because armadillos have no natural predators in the United States, they can proliferate.

Armadillos are unique in that they always give birth to identical quadruplets. They aren't really pests, but they are a nuisance, burrowing in your yard or under your house. You don't have to kill them, however, to get rid of them.

Fences and Scents

Metal fences around your property a good deterrent against these armored creatures. You can chose from a variety of armadillo resistant fences at local hardware and building supply stores if you live in armadillo country.

Armadillos don't see well, but they do have a good sense of smell. Along with that comes many scents they don't like and will avoid. You can buy commercial products designed to repel armadillos and most of them are safe for children and animals. Or you can use ammonia, moth balls, or urine—human or animal—to scare them away. Whatever scent you choose to use, remember that you need to reapply it regularly as it fades over time. Be aware that many experts debate the efficacy of these tactics.

Traps

Another option is to use an armadillo trap. These are humane traps that don't kill or injure the animal. While there are lethal traps available, they are hard to use, dangerous, and illegal in many places. Just set the humane trap in a place frequented by armadillos and wait. Put the trap where you know armadillos are going to walk, cover the bottom of the trap with dirt, and let the almost-blind creature wander in. You don't need bait because armadillos don't respond to bait. Once you've trapped one of the critters, you can hand it over to your local wildlife protection officer or do a release yourself out in an area away from homes.

If you have trouble with the trapping, you can always call a professional armadillo trapper to come and take care of the problem for you. It can be tough to maintain the health of your lawn or garden with these critters around.