Dealing with armadillos digging up your yard can be frustrating. If you’re looking for an effective way to trap and relocate them, it helps to understand their habits and set your trap just right.
By learning where they travel and how to bait and place your trap, you can successfully manage these crafty creatures.
Keep reading for a step-by-step guide to trapping armadillos the right way.
Find Active Armadillo Travel Routes in Your Yard
Armadillos typically travel along established routes that you can identify by their digging patterns. Look for shallow, cone-shaped holes that measure about 1 to 3 inches across. These holes often appear overnight after rain and are signs of recent feeding activity—armadillos mainly feed on grubs and worms. Following a trail of fresh holes usually leads to a smooth, rounded burrow entrance about 7 to 8 inches wide, often found near stumps or foundations. Armadillos tend to follow fence lines and garden edges, creating narrow paths roughly 8 inches wide. Rake the suspected area flat in the late afternoon, and check for new disturbances the next morning. Repeatedly marking and observing these signs confirms their active routes and helps you pinpoint the best spots to place your trap. If standing water is present along these travel routes, consider using mosquito dunks to prevent mosquito breeding in those areas. For those dealing with mole issues, applying castor oil repellents can also be an effective alternative to deter burrowing pests. If spiders are also a concern near burrow entrances, consider reviewing top bug bomb options for effective indoor pest control.
Choose the Right Live Trap for Armadillos
Choose a trap at least 30 inches long, with 32 to 42 inches being ideal for armadillos. A sturdy, galvanized steel live cage trap is essential to prevent injuries and ensure durability. Opt for a model with double doors, which increases your chances of catching the animal efficiently, but a single-door trap can work if you know its travel path. High-quality galvanized steel is the same durable material often recommended for chicken wire fencing, ensuring longevity and resistance to rust. A trap opening of about 10 by 12 inches is suitable to comfortably contain an armadillo without allowing it to escape. Set up the trap flat and stable along the animal’s travel route. Using funnel boards can guide the armadillo into the trap without bait, but spoiled fruit or earthworms in a nylon stocking can also be effective attractants. Fine mesh netting is a comparable option for excluding armadillos from garden beds, though live trapping remains the most direct removal method. Regularly inspect the trap for rust or bent bars, especially after weather exposure, to maintain its safety and functionality. For a successful capture, position the trap in a shaded location to prevent heat stress on the animal after it is caught.
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Set Your Armadillo Trap Flat, Stable, and Funneled
To maximize your success, set your armadillo trap flat, stable, and funneled. Place the trap on level ground to prevent it from rocking, as armadillos tend to hesitate on unstable surfaces. Since they prefer loose soil and burrows, position the trap near existing digging damage or natural entry points. Weigh it down with a brick or similar weight to stop it from tipping when an animal enters. When choosing the exact location, focus on feed-rich zones such as pond edges with insect activity where armadillos dig for grubs. To further secure the setup, consider using a tree guard around a nearby tree to prevent armadillos from climbing or damaging the bark while they dig. For traps using CO₂, the release of carbon dioxide can attract insects that armadillos hunt, improving the location’s effectiveness. Selecting a fruit fly trap design for the nearby insect activity can also help reduce the local pest population that draws armadillos in.
Create a funnel leading into the trap to guide armadillos efficiently. Use boards or natural barriers to form a V-shaped guide toward the entrance. Guides should stand at least six inches tall and be securely staked so they don’t shift. Position the trap’s opening along the armadillo’s natural travel route, increasing your chances of a successful catch. Keep in mind, a stable and well-placed setup works just as well without relying on bait.
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Why Bait Is Secondary (and What to Use If You Try)
Bait is secondary to trap placement and funneling—your main focus should be on setting the trap along active runways, burrows, or fence lines. The success of your trap relies primarily on its location, not the bait inside. Proper placement helps drive armadillos into the trap more effectively than bait alone. Placing traps close to the base of buildings or along flower beds is effective because armadillos often travel along structure bases where activity is concentrated. However, if a homeowner is also dealing with stinging pests, note that bee suits can effectively shield you from wasps when checking traps in infested areas. For traps mounted on wooden supports, the most durable option was a specifically designed top squirrel baffle that attaches directly to a 4×4 post. Additionally, using hardware cloth for the trap’s side panels can prevent armadillos from damaging the mesh or escaping.
If you choose to use bait, avoid grocery leftovers. Instead, opt for earthworms, mealworms, or maggots, as they closely mimic the armadillo’s natural insect diet. Place the bait in a sock or nylon bag to release scent without creating a mess. Suspend it fully inside the trap so the animal has to enter completely. Keep the amount small—just enough to attract without drawing raccoons or opossums. Remember, where you place the trap is more important than what’s inside.
Check and Release a Trapped Armadillo Safely
Check the trap carefully by approaching slowly from the side rather than head-on to keep the armadillo calm. Wear heavy gloves to protect yourself and avoid putting your hands near the cage door or latches to prevent injuries. Before releasing, verify local wildlife regulations, as releasing may be restricted or illegal in your area. Choose a release site away from homes and roads, preferring moist, wooded ground where the armadillo can find cover. Ensure the trap is placed on stable ground at the release location. Stand behind or to the side of the trap, then open the door and allow the armadillo to leave voluntarily—do not try to force it out. Once the animal has exited, back away immediately to avoid startling or harming it. After release, consider modifying the habitat to discourage the armadillo from returning, such as removing brush piles or adding predator deterrents like coyote urine, which some homeowners use to repel skunks and other pests. Finally, wash your hands thoroughly and disinfect all tools, gloves, and surfaces that touched the trap to prevent the spread of any pathogens. For similar pest control needs, you might review top bee traps if carpenter bees are an issue, though armadillos require a different approach entirely.
Relocate the Armadillo Legally (and Fill Its Burrows)
The legal release area for relocated armadillos varies by state, so always check your local wildlife regulations first. Florida allows you to release the animal on land you own or with landowner permission, provided you do so on a property of at least 40 acres. In contrast, North Carolina and South Carolina prohibit relocating armadillos altogether. Ignoring these rules can lead to legal trouble or fines. Additionally, always select a trap size appropriate for the animal to ensure both safety and effectiveness during capture.
Once you’ve confirmed that relocating the animal is legal in your area, focus on filling each burrow properly. Start by packing gravel into the tunnel to block the entrance, then cover with soil and compact it firmly to prevent the animal from reopening it. For added resistance, stake hardware cloth over the burrow entrance. Removing brush piles and managing mulch depth also discourages armadillos from digging new burrows. Remember, loose soil is easy to excavate, so pressing down and compacting is crucial. Keep an eye on the sealed sites to ensure no activity resumes.
How to Prevent Armadillos From Returning
To prevent armadillos from returning, you need to make your yard less attractive to them. First, eliminate food sources such as grubs and soil insects by applying lawn pest treatments that target these pests. Pick up fallen fruit, pet food, and bird seed promptly, and keep garbage cans sealed tightly. Store livestock feed in airtight containers and avoid overwatering your lawn, as damp soil attracts armadillos searching for insects to eat. For similar reasons, you should avoid using squirrel-proof bird feeders that scatter seed on the ground. One excellent option for blocking armadillo diggers is to use Top Chicken Wire Choices for Squirrel Deterrence, as the strong mesh works equally well against armadillos. If you want to feed birds without attracting ground pests, consider choosing a feeder with built-in squirrel baffles that prevent seed from spilling.
Next, remove shelter options like brush piles, wood debris, and dense groundcover that provide cover for armadillos. Trim shrubs regularly and close off access to under decks, porches, and sheds by installing sturdy barriers. Installing buried mesh or fencing at least 2 feet high, with 18 inches extending below ground, creates a strong physical barrier that armadillos cannot dig through.
Consider applying castor-oil-based repellents, which can discourage armadillos from digging in your yard. Motion-activated sprinklers are also effective because they startle the animals and make the environment less inviting. After implementing these measures, monitor your yard weekly for fresh tracks or new holes. Address any signs of activity immediately to prevent armadillos from establishing a permanent presence. Combining these strategies will help you achieve long-term control.