How To Stop Armadillo Digging

03.04.2004 - This is a photo of a Nine-Banded Armadillo digging a fresh burrow. I came across this animal while on an armadillo trapping project. Dillos usually dig several burrows within their home range. I'm not sure how many, but the number may be from 10-20. They usually have a primary burrow or two in which they sleep - and armadillos sleep about 20 hours per day. These big burrows are straight and deep, and may have a chamber at the end.

However, most of the burrows that armadillos dig are merely short-term escape tunnels, in case they need to bolt from danger. In fact, sometimes armadillos will start digging as a defense mechanism - they can't necessarily run away quickly for a long time, so they'll expose their tough behind and dig their way to safety.

That's what the armadillo in the above photo was doing - it was trying to escape me. It didn't of course, but it made a good show of it. Armadillos are very strong, and they can dig quickly with their sharp claws. They can also hold on tight, so you can't really just grab them by the tail and pull them out. If you want to get an armadillo out of its burrow, you've got to dig it out!

As for how to stop armadillos from digging in the first place, you really can't. If they want to dig, they'll dig. The only thing that will stop them is a physical barrier. So for example, if they have an established digging area, I can install a steel mesh a few inches under the ground, so that when they start to dig, they'll hit the mesh and are unable to go any further. But there's no chemical or natural armadillo deterrent or repellent that will keep them from digging.

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Armadillo Digging In The Yard - This is one of the key signs that many people will identify when they find that they have an armadillo problem, and this can be hugely frustrating for many people, particularly those who are proud of their garden. In some instances the armadillo will seem to focus on a particular lawn area or a vegetable patch, but this will generally depend on the number of insects that are to be found in that particular part of the garden. In other cases armadillos may be attracted to the yard because of the accessibility to garbage, and may start digging in the yard afterwards.

The best solution to stop the armadillos from digging in your yard is to actually remove the armadillos from the yard. It is worth checking your garden to see if there are any burrows to be found in your garden, and if there are no visible burrows then it is a problem that can usually be solved by a suitable fence. The best exclusion fences are those that have a wire mesh with a narrow space between each wire to prevent animals from squeezing through, and it is best to ensure there is some of the wire mesh embedded into the ground so that the armadillos can?t dig their way in.

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Do you usually wake up to holes dug around your yard with heaps of soil left behind? You could be having unique and unwanted visitors at night (armadillos). These critters often dig burrows of about 15 inches in length and about 8 inches in diameter. They often use these holes for hunting for food as well as their shelter during the day and also to raise their young ones in them. In your yard, armadillos often dig holes in several places, including under the air conditioning unit, flower beds, lawns, and vegetable gardens. These holes or burrows can be enlarged by water erosion and cause extensive damage to your property. Therefore, if you'd wish to continue living in your home with a tidy and decent yard, finding ways to stop this critter from making burrows in your lawn is critical. Below are some of the things that you can do to keep your property safe from armadillo mischief.

Erect a durable fence

If you want to keep away the armadillos and other critters, you should erect a fence. The fence must not necessarily be tall since armadillos cannot jump high from the ground. However, you need to erect a sturdy fence. The fence should go deep into the ground to make it difficult for the armadillos to dig through. Use a mesh fence, if possible, to prevent the critters from squeezing through the fence spaces.

Make your yard or property unfavorable

Armadillos will dig burrows and make their homes in places that are conducive for feeding and breeding. Therefore, you need to make your surrounding unfavorable for digging. You can use wood chips to keep them away from your garden or flower bed. Armadillos find it challenging to dig through the wood chips. Alternatively, you can light up your compound at night using floodlights. Armadillos are nocturnal animals who shy away from light.

Get rid of armadillo food sources

Armadillos also dig through the soil for food. In fact, they use their snout to smell the ground for food and use their powerful claws to dig through the soil. Therefore, you need to eliminate organisms, such as earthworms and other food particles that may attract armadillos. An armadillo will not dig in the soil if it has no food to offer.

Sprinkle cayenne pepper

One of the most effective ways that you can use to keep the armadillos from digging in your yard or garden is by sprinkling cayenne pepper around your home. The critters are often irritated by the smell of cayenne pepper. As soon as an armadillo sniffs the stuff, it will get out of your garden or yard.