Beautiful Plants For Your Interior
That digging sound under your floorboards isn’t your imagination. Armadillos love cozy foundation spaces, and once they move in, they wreak havoc on gardens, pipes, and even structural supports.
I learned the hard way that traps and poisons don’t work—they’re illegal for armadillos in most states anyway. The solution is gentler and more effective: make your space unappealing while giving them a clear exit.
You’ll reclaim your home in 24-48 hours without harming the animal. No expensive pest control bills, no messy confrontations—just a smart strategy that works with their natural behavior.
Works for sheds, porches, and any structure with a shallow foundation. Here’s the step-by-step.
Why Armadillos Invade
Armadillos are drawn to the space beneath your house for a few key reasons, mostly tied to their natural instincts for safety and survival. Understanding these causes can help you address the root of the problem.
🏡 Shelter and Warmth
Armadillos seek out dark, enclosed spaces to escape extreme weather, predators, and human activity. The underside of your house provides an ideal den—cool in summer, warm in winter, and free from disturbances. Their low body temperature (around 88–90°F) makes them especially sensitive to temperature swings, so they gravitate toward stable environments.
🍽️ Abundant Food Sources
A yard teeming with insects, grubs, and worms is an armadillo’s buffet. These creatures are insectivores, digging up to 200 holes per night in search of food. If your lawn or garden has loose, moist soil or a high population of invertebrates, they’ll stick around—and likely tunnel under foundations or decks for easy access to their next meal.
🌱 Easy Digging Conditions
Loose, sandy, or poorly compacted soil makes burrowing effortless. Armadillos have powerful claws designed for digging, and they’ll exploit weak spots near your home’s perimeter, especially if there’s moisture or organic debris (like mulch or leaf litter) to soften the ground. Gaps in foundation vents or damaged skirting are open invitations.
Pro tip: Sealing entry points and reducing soil moisture can deter them before they settle in.
Solutions That Work
Armadillos under your house can cause structural damage and pose health risks. Here’s how to evict them humanely and keep them from returning.
🕳️ Entry Points: Seal Them Off
Inspect your home’s foundation for gaps or holes wider than 3 inches—armadillos can squeeze through surprisingly small spaces. Use hardware cloth or metal mesh to cover openings, burying it at least 12 inches deep to prevent digging. For active burrows, wait until the armadillo leaves (usually at night) before sealing.
🌿 Habitat: Remove Attractants
Armadillos love grubs, worms, and damp soil. Reduce their food supply by treating your lawn for pests and removing leaf litter or mulch near the foundation. Keep woodpiles and debris far from your home, and fix leaky pipes or poor drainage that creates moist, inviting soil.
🚪 Eviction: Use Humane Traps
If they’re already settled in, use a live cage trap (10x12x32 inches) baited with earthworms or overripe fruit. Check traps frequently and relocate the armadillo at least 10 miles away to wild, wooded areas (check local laws first). Wear gloves to avoid transferring scents.
🛡️ Prevention: Long-Term Deterrents
Install L-shaped barriers around vulnerable areas: bury 12-inch-wide metal sheeting vertically and bend the top 6 inches outward. Motion-activated sprinklers or castor oil-based repellents (sprayed near entry points) can also discourage digging. Regularly inspect your property for new signs of activity.
Pro tip 💡: Armadillos are nocturnal, so take action at dusk or dawn when they’re most active. Consistency is key—combine sealing, removal, and deterrents for the best results.
Frequently Asked Questions
1
Do armadillos carry diseases I should worry about?
Armadillos can carry leprosy, though transmission to humans is extremely rare. Avoid direct contact and wear gloves when handling traps. Always wash hands thoroughly after any potential exposure.
2
How deep do armadillos dig under foundations?
They typically burrow 1-3 feet deep, creating extensive tunnel systems. These can undermine structural supports over time. Check for fresh digs at dawn or dusk to confirm activity.
3
What’s the best time of year to remove them?
Spring and early summer are ideal, before breeding season begins. Avoid winter months when they’re less active. Relocate during mild weather for the animal’s safety and your success.